Water damage can happen to any commercial property. A burst pipe, leaking roof, overflowing toilet, appliance failure, storm, or flood can quickly turn into a major problem for a business.
The longer water sits, the more opportunity it has to damage flooring, drywall, ceilings, insulation, equipment, furniture, and other building materials. It can also create conditions for mold growth and other problems.
If your commercial property has water damage, acting quickly can help limit the damage and get your business back up and running.
Table of Contents
1. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
Before worrying about cleanup, make sure employees, customers, and anyone else in the building are safe.
Standing water can create electrical hazards, especially if water has reached outlets, electrical equipment, wiring, or other electrical components. If you aren’t sure whether an area is safe, stay out of it and contact a professional.
You should also avoid contact with potentially contaminated water. Water from a sewage backup, flood, or other contaminated source can contain bacteria and other harmful materials.
Safety should always come first.
2. Stop the Source of the Water If You Can
If the water is coming from a broken pipe or another source that can be safely shut off, stop the flow as quickly as possible.
For example, you may be able to shut off the building’s main water supply or turn off a specific appliance or plumbing fixture. If the source is a roof leak or storm damage, however, you may need professional help to stop additional water from entering the building.
Stopping the source doesn’t eliminate the damage that’s already happened, but it can help prevent the problem from getting worse.
3. Protect Important Business Property
If it is safe to do so, move important items away from the affected area.
This could include:
- Computers and electronics
- Important documents
- Inventory
- Furniture
- Equipment
- Files and records
- Other valuable business property
Don’t put yourself or your employees in danger trying to save belongings. If there is standing water, electrical damage, contaminated water, or structural damage, wait for professionals to assess the situation.
4. Document the Damage
Before cleanup and repairs begin, take photos and videos of the affected areas if it is safe to do so.
Document visible damage to:
- Floors and ceilings
- Walls and drywall
- Furniture
- Equipment
- Inventory
- Personal property
- Other affected areas of the building
You should also document where the water came from if you know the source.
This information can be helpful when working with your insurance company and restoration contractor.
5. Call a Commercial Water Damage Restoration Company
Once everyone is safe and the immediate source of the water has been addressed, contact a professional restoration company as soon as possible.
Water can move into areas that aren’t immediately visible. It can soak into walls, flooring, insulation, ceilings, and other building materials. Simply removing the standing water doesn’t necessarily mean the building is dry.
At Pro Service Builders, our commercial water damage restoration team begins with a thorough inspection to determine the extent of the damage and identify the type of water involved. From there, we can remove standing water, dry and dehumidify affected areas, clean and disinfect the property, and make necessary repairs.
6. Don’t Assume Everything Is Dry
One of the biggest mistakes after water damage is assuming that an area is dry because the surface looks dry.
Water can remain trapped underneath flooring, inside walls, above ceilings, and in other difficult-to-see areas. Even a small amount of remaining moisture can lead to additional damage and create conditions for mold growth.
Professional restoration companies use specialized equipment to identify moisture and thoroughly dry affected areas.
Depending on the size of the building and the extent of the damage, the drying process can take anywhere from several hours to several weeks.
7. Determine Whether Repairs Are Needed
Once the building has been cleaned and dried, damaged materials may need to be repaired or replaced.
Depending on the situation, this could include:
- Drywall
- Flooring
- Insulation
- Ceilings
- Cabinets
- Structural materials
- Electrical components
- Other building materials
This is where commercial restoration goes beyond simply cleaning up water. The goal is to return the property to a safe, functional condition so your business can get back to normal.
What Causes Commercial Water Damage?
Commercial water damage can come from many different sources, including:
- Burst or broken pipes
- Plumbing leaks
- Roof leaks
- Appliance failures
- Clogged or backed-up sewer lines
- Sprinkler system failures
- Storms and flooding
- Foundation problems
- HVAC or mechanical system failures
Some problems happen suddenly, while others develop slowly and may not be noticed until significant damage has already occurred.
Why Fast Action Matters
When water damage occurs, time matters.
The longer water remains in a building, the greater the potential for damage to building materials, furniture, equipment, and other property. Quick mitigation can help prevent additional damage and make the restoration process more manageable.
For businesses, there is another concern: downtime.
A damaged building can make it difficult or impossible for employees to work, customers to visit, inventory to be stored, or normal operations to continue. A fast response can help get the restoration process started and reduce unnecessary disruption.
Pro Service Builders Is Ready to Help
Water damage doesn’t always happen during business hours. That’s why Pro Service Builders provides 24/7 emergency response for commercial water damage throughout Arkansas.
Our team can handle the entire restoration process, from water removal and drying to cleaning, mold remediation, repairs, and reconstruction. We also work with insurance companies to help property owners navigate the restoration process.
If your commercial property has water damage, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. Contact Pro Service Builders and let our team help you get your property and your business back on track.
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