Keep Your Business Safe From Winter Storms  

2/7/2019 (Permalink)

If you own a business that is in a high-risk area for flooding, make sure you are prepared before any storm to keep your business afloat afterward.

Prepare by making sure you locate any important documents and valuables and store them in a location that will be dry and secure. 

Check your gutters and spouts to ensure they won’t be clogged when the storm hits, and make sure to have a working sump pump.

If possible, move any electronics or other costly items to a higher floor or at least try to raise them several feet off the floor to minimize any flood damage.

If your business facility floods, your first responsibility is to keep people safe.

Make sure to turn off electricity in any affected areas.  Even if there’s a power outage, the power may be suddenly restored without notice and could cause a shock hazard. If you choose to enter a damaged building, be cautious of any structural compromises or falling debris.  Keep out of the floodwater as much as possible to reduce the risk of slip-and-fall hazards and bacterial contamination. Be sure to wear protective clothing – including slip-resistant shoes, gloves, eye protection, and a mask – in order to minimize potential risks.

Clean-Up ASAP

When flooding occurs, the quicker you can start your cleaning and restoration efforts, the better your chances of minimizing long-term damage and costs.

Reconstruction can’t happen until the flood-damaged area has been thoroughly disinfected and dried.

Be aware that although surfaces may feel dry to the touch, that doesn’t mean they are thoroughly dried.  If you are able to remove any wet items from the flood-affected area of your business, make sure they dry completely before you bring them back to where they belong.

One thing you can do right away is to encourage drying and control the spread of mold by opening windows and doors to allow for maximum air circulation. If it is safe to do so, you may want to run an air conditioner, fan, or dehumidifier to facilitate greater air flow.

When it comes to flood clean-up, you want to make sure you are thorough.

Anything porous that gets soaked – like carpet, insulation, or molding – may be beyond salvaging. If so, these items will need to be thrown away to prevent risk of disease from contamination.  Items that can be saved will need to be disinfected and washed in the hottest possible water the item can tolerate. Sometimes pressure washing and professional cleaning are the only ways to ensure your items will be safe.

If your business suffer flood damage and requires professional cleaning and restoration, you can rest assured that SERVPRO of Hackensack/Little Ferry has technicians with advanced training, skills, and equipment necessary to clean and restore your business to its pre-flood condition as quickly as possible.