To dos for a business owner facing water damage

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

Don't let a flood or broken pipe keep your business out of operation.

To dos for a business owner facing water damage  

In any situation where water affects your business, an owner’s top priority is to re-open the doors, put employees back to work and to ensure the safety of the building and products.

In order to do this, here’s the basic procedures that need addressed:

• First, a detailed inventory of the items affected needs to be written down. That includes furniture, wet carpet, and a list of room-by-room contents.
• Depending on if it is a multi-floor flood or even a single-story building with roof and/or attic leakage, ceiling tiles will need to be removed and discarded.
• Drywall will be checked using a moisture meter with disinfection and mold-control techniques possibly initiated.
• Depending on the water classification – if it is clean water from a broken pipe or sink overflow; gray water from a washing machine, dishwasher or roof leak; or black water from floods or sewage – carpet will need to either be dried or replaced.
• If any electrical items were affected, they will need to be inspected by a qualified maintenance technician or electrician to determine if they need to replace wiring, circuit breakers, outlets or light fixtures.
• Furniture – depending on the type – will need to be discarded or sanitized. If it is upholstered, it should be tossed if it is from a flood, sewage or roof leak. If it is clean water, it can be dried if done within 24 hours. Any laminate or hardwood furniture can be disinfected, but any particle-board furniture may be thrown away.
• All areas that have been water damaged will possibly need to be treated for mold prevention or treatment.
• Non-carpeted flooring will need to be inspected for possible buckling, warping or bowing. If so, it may need to be replaced.

If you have own and/or manage a business that has been hit with water damage, please contact us at SERVPRO of Gainesville West-Alachua County West at 352-374-6589 and we will get you back up and running as quickly and safely as possible.