Commercial Water Damage’s Ability to Slow Down Your Business | SERVPRO® of Northwest Bergen
10/20/2022 (Permalink)
Water is a powerful force that can have serious negative impacts on the normal operations of a business. Flooding often comes from an internal source, like burst pipes or a leaky roof. This can also occur from broken plumbing and faulty sprinkler systems.
However, this damage can also begin from natural causes, which we often see here in New Jersey. We experience powerful storms that dump thousands of gallons of water onto our region, potentially causing the local Saddle River to overflow and flood our neighborhoods. Our region sees over 47 inches of precipitation annually, which is over 20% higher than the national average!
Knowing the proper steps to take can prevent major damage and recover quickly. Follow these helpful tips to stay on track with your restoration process.
Knowing the different water cutoff points around the property, like the fire sprinkler system and the building’s water main cutoff valve, is important. Ensure that many people are aware of these safety features so that there is always someone who can help inside the business.
You should also understand the type of water involved, as this is a crucial factor in determining the overall severity of the problem. This can help you make better decisions for your business and the safety of everyone inside.
White water: This type of water most commonly results from plumbing problems. It’s not considered contaminated and is safe to handle yourself in small amounts.
Gray water: Sink drains and toilet tank overflows produce this type of flooding. The water is contaminated but not considered dangerous.
Black water: Sewage backups and storm flooding are common sources of highly contaminated black water. Always call in a professional to deal with this type of toxic water damage.
You should attempt to shut off the water source as quickly as possible. Then you can circulate air through open windows and doors, but it’s also crucial for you to alert everyone inside the building of the affected zones.
After these three things, spend time documenting any visible damage to expedite the insurance claims process, and you’ll have reference photos for your restoration provider.
As always, the water damage you see is just a piece of the overall damage. Soaked insulation and moldy support frames are only a couple of signs of hidden water damage. The overall drying and cleaning process can take up to a week before repairs actually begin, so stay patient with our team as we get your building back to preloss condition.
When you suffer water damage at your commercial property, call SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen for a quick response. Our experts will handle the entire process with industry-leading equipment to quickly get you back in business.
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!