The Damage Water Can Do to Your Business

3/6/2023 (Permalink)

Don't let rotten wood ruin your day, allow SERVPRO to save the day.

Commercial water damage can have an incredible impact on your business.

A burst pipe in the employee kitchen, a leaking roof, or a sewage backup can ruin your flooring, destroy inventory, and shut down your business for an undetermined amount of time. Even a broken sprinkler system can damage a whole floor.

Exterior sources of water, like natural causes, can also be extremely detrimental to your business. We have seen repeated flooding in several of our neighborhoods in Jonesboro from heavy rains and thunderstorms. Craighead County also has multiple parks and creeks like Higginbottom Creek that are at risk for overflowing when the rain picks up.

With so many risks surrounding our homes, it is essential to prepare before a flood can occur.

Know Your Building’s Layout

Getting to know the layout of your building is a great first step in preparing your property. Familiarize yourself with water shutoff locations and make sure you know how to turn off the main water source as well as the fire sprinkler system.

Let several people know where these shutoffs are, and ensure there are multiple people who can react quickly in the event to mitigate as much damage as possible.

Know the Types of Water Involved

If you do experience a water event in your building, it is crucial to know the kind of water you are dealing with in order to handle it appropriately.

White water. White water is the kind of flooding that originates from issues with your plumbing. This kind of water is not considered dangerous or contaminated and can be handled on your own in small amounts.

Gray water. When a sink or toilet tank overflows the water is considered gray water. This kind of water is contaminated, but it is not considered dangerous to handle.

Black water. If the sewer backs up or a storm creates flooding that enters your building, it is considered a blackwater flood. Black is toxic and should only be dealt with by a professional.

Take Action Quickly

The faster you are able to respond when water starts flowing, the better the end results will be. Get to the water source and shut it off quickly.

Open windows and doors all around the flooded area in order to promote drying and airflow. Let everyone in the building know what has happened so that they can stay away from the area.

Once you have completed all of these steps, take pictures of and jot down notes about any visible damages. This will speed up the claim process with your insurance agency, but it can also help you create a plan to reinforce areas of your building as needed.

Remember to Be Patient

Water damage you can see is generally only the start. As you walk your building, keep an eye out for hidden signs of damage like framing that has molded, soaking wet wall studs, or buckled floors. These are all red flags that should be addressed right away.

When water damage occurs in your building, call SERVPRO of Jonesboro to get your recovery started quickly. We are available night and day with highly trained professionals and industry-leading equipment to get your business dried out fast.

Drying out can be a long process, so it is important to exercise patience during the week or a longer process of sanitizing and cleaning. We will make you aware of every step of the plan and walk with you to get your business rolling once again.

When disaster strikes your commercial property, we’ll be there to help clean up and get you back in business quickly. Reach out ²⁴⁄₇ to get started!