Dealing with a flooded office, retail, or industrial building can be a nightmare, but knowing what to do next can help you keep your cool and prevent massive damage. Keep in mind that the longer water sits, the more damage it can cause so take head to these steps which will help you get the water out as quickly as possible, preventing any additional damage or the potential for mold.
1. Document The Damage
Be sure to document everything for insurance purposes. Photograph any flooded areas in your business and any belongings or furniture that may have been damaged as a result of the flooding. Compensation for flooding can be tricky so the more documentation you have, the better.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
After shutting off the power to your building the next step should be contacting your insurance company. In most cases the insurance company will promptly send out a water remediation expert. If you have any items that you feel need to be removed right away, make sure to document them with photos or video.
3. Turn The Power Off
Before beginning any work, make sure to cut the power off. Your safety should always be the first priority.
4. Cleanup The Remaining Water
The goal is to get your business cleaned up as soon as possible, so after documenting all of the damage, you will need to remove any remaining water as soon as possible to prevent additional damage from occurring. Try to pump out or remove any standing water. You can also try running fans or setting up de-humidifiers to assist with the cleanup process. It is worth the investment to hire a flood damage repair specialist if you have one available in your area.
5. Sort Through What Is Left
Preventing the development of mold is very important so any furniture or carpet that has been saturated should be disposed of right away. If you have cabinets that have been flooded these may need to be removed as well. Unfortunately flooring may need to be completely removed and restored, even if it is hardwood or tile. The surface may look dry but could actually be holding water and there is always a possibility of water being trapped between the tile and subfloor.
For more information contact a TSC Restoration, Inc representative.