In the wake of two major hurricanes, countless businesses along our country’s southern coast are faced with the aftermath—in particular, water damage. We know that when it comes to your business operations, downtime equals lost revenue, so to help businesses get back up and running ASAP, we’ve compiled some steps to take in the event of a flood or other water damage.
First things first…
1. Assess the damage, take pictures, and call your insurance agent. Before all else, you have to get a handle on what happened, and document the damage. Be aware that even if flood water appears clear, it’s possible that it’s contaminated, so always wear protective boots and gloves whenever you’re in contact with water-damaged surfaces. Once you’ve analyzed your losses and taken pictures, call your insurance company and have them send an adjuster to conduct a formal assessment and get your claim started.
2. If you’re in a disaster area, call FEMA. In the case that your location has been officially declared a “disaster area”, contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to access resources and possible financial assistance.
3. Call in a pro. Water damage is tricky—if it’s not cleaned up properly, it can lead to the growth of dangerous mold and compromise the integrity of your building structure. Due to these complications, a majority of organizations opt to hire a professional restoration company for flood cleanup services.
4. Dry it out. If you have standing water in your facility, set up a pump immediately to begin the process of extracting the water. Next, you’ll want to set up industrial fans and dehumidifiers to completely dry out the space. Depending on how quickly a water damage restoration team can get there, they may handle this on your behalf.
Hiring a reputable emergency restoration crew.
Your insurance company will likely provide a recommendation for an emergency restoration company, but it’s important for you to do your homework before making a hiring decision. You’ll want to ensure that the restoration company you’re considering has the proper training, certifications, and safety procedures in place—the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a good place to qualify credentials like that. You may also consider researching reviews to get an idea of what it’s like to work with the company before you make a commitment.
Cleaning up water damage yourself.
Whether you’re trying to cut costs or simply having a hard time finding a restoration company that will meet your needs, you may choose to handle the cleanup in-house. If this is the case, be sure that you have the right safety gear on hand. When demolishing walls, floors, and more, it’s critical that you use a respirator to protect your lungs from not only dust, but also water contaminants and potential mold spores. Again, always make sure to use heavy-duty gloves when handling any water-damaged materials. Similarly, you’ll need an extensive supply of industrial strength cleaning agents that can cut through the bacteria, and kill mold at the source.
Contact US Standard Products for water damage cleanup supplies today.
US Standard Products is a nationwide provider of quality operational and safety products. Contact us today at 844-877-1700 to learn how we can best equip your business with the safety equipment and cleaning products needed for your water damage restoration efforts.
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