8 Tips For Preventing Water Damage At Your Business

The type of water can be affected not only by the source of water, but also by how long the water has been stagnant, and what materials within your business are present . The quicker water is found and dealt with, the less damage is likely to occur. Unfortunately, you may find that most of your stuff won’t be salvageable from flood damage.

If your home is the victim of widespread flooding, it is possible the water has compromised the structural integrity of the building. In some cases, the walls might not be stable and may be cracked and leaking. When the flooding is intense, even the ceilings can start to sag. Enter only when disaster officials have given you clearance to do so. Unfortunately, many people wait until there is a serious issue before calling for help, even after identifying one or more of the signs we have just listed. Look beneath your sinks and around toilets to make sure it is always dry and to ensure that water supply and drain pipes are in good condition and not leaking. Cabinets should not be wet or damp and there should be no mold under the sinks.

Broken Pipes

These two phases consist of patching the leak and replacing the damaged materials. The first step is to patch up the leak to minimize any future damages. Another big place to find water damage in the bathroom is around the tub and shower. If the water is able to escape the confines of the tub, you will be able to catch it by the signs that follow. The tile can start to release from the floor as the water degrades the adhesive.

No matter what type of water damage you’re dealing with, if you want more information about recovery, contact us. To prevent mold, make sure all of the layers and materials are dry before putting everything back together. After your business experiences water damage from a leaky pipe, rainstorm, or flood, you naturally want to get things back to normal as soon as possible.

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If being paid by insurance, the property owner agrees to allow the insurance company to pay BRC directly for our services. You need to know the type of water that has flooded your space so it would inform the next steps that you would take. If the water is from a leakage or rain, there is a high tendency that you handle it by yourself because the water does not have chemicals. However, if it is gray water from your probably from your dishwasher or toilet, you would need professionals to help you handle it because the water is contaminated.

Helpful Links Mold Removal

Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters
Guidance from CDC, EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on safe mold clean-up after a natural disaster

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Water Damage Restoration

Mold or mould, also sometimes referred to as mildew, is a fungal growth that develops on wet materials. Mold is a natural part of the environment and plays an important part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees; indoors, mold growth should be avoided.

 

Water damage describes various possible losses caused by water intruding where it will enable attack of a material or system by destructive processes such as rotting of wood, mold growth, bacteria growth,  swelling of composite woods, de-laminating of materials such as plywood, etc.

The damage may be imperceptibly slow and minor such as water spots that could eventually mar a surface, or it may be instantaneous and catastrophic such as burst pipes and flooding. However fast it occurs, water damage is a major contributor to loss of property.

An insurance policy may or may not cover the costs associated with water damage and the process of water damage restoration. While a common cause of residential water damage is often the failure of a sump pump, many homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover the associated costs without an addendum which adds to the monthly premium of the policy. Often the verbiage of this addendum is similar to “Sewer and Drain Coverage”.

In the United States, those individuals who are affected by wide-scale flooding may have the ability to apply for government and FEMA grants through the Individual Assistance program. On a larger level, businesses, cities, and communities can apply to the FEMA Public Assistance program for funds to assist after a large flood. For example, the city of Fond du Lac Wisconsin received $1.2 million FEMA grant after flooding in June 2008. The program allows the city to purchase the water damaged properties, demolish the structures, and turn the former land into public green space.

Common Types of Water Damage

Sewage Cleanup

Sewage cleanup may be required when toilets or sinks are backed up. Sewage spills result in the seepage of toxic black water or gray water, which has been contaminated by human, animal or biological waste. Sewage cleanup is a messy part of the restoration process that can pose a health risk and should always be completed by a trained professional.

Structural Damage

Water can cause structural damage to your home, making a previously safe environment inhospitable.

Water seepage inside walls, the foundation, or wood or concrete framing can weaken your home or property’s structure and potentially lead to collapse. Non-structural water destruction to the drywall and ceiling can also wreak havoc on your home.

Broken Pipes

Burst or broken plumbing pipes can cause significant damage and must be dealt with immediately. You may need to work with a plumber in addition to a water restoration company.

Some broken pipes are covered by insurance claims, but burst pipes that result from aging or neglect are typically excluded from homeowners’ insurance policies.

Additionally, damage due to leaking or malfunctioning water heaters may be covered by a building or product warranty.

Use old towels, buckets and brooms to consume as much water as you can. So long as the sewers in your area aren’t blocked, you can pour the water down the drain, otherwise, pour it on your yard or other permeable surfaces.

Property Cleanup

Despite the extensive damage, don’t forget to continue to remove your garbage. Food waste and water together may attract rodents and pests to your home. This could not only cause more damage and encourage mold growth but in the summer it could also attract mosquitoes who will breed in your home. Even though we were at the end of hurricane season, restoration for us didn’t begin until the following spring. It can take months for insurance adjusters to release funds, and even longer to line up professionals to begin to rebuild if an entire neighborhood or community is affected. So our restoration wasn’t completed until a year after the storm hit. I recently got a call from a family who needed design help for their home, which was flooded by Hurricane Sandy more than a year ago.

Something more complex like improper seals on vents or chimneys can also cause a leak. This can create a lot of damage if not taken care of as soon as possible. This is especially true if you’re experiencing a wet spring or summer and will have increased chances of further damage. Overall, there is a lot that you can utilize to make a better hiring choice when looking for a reliable water damage repair business. https://catstrongtx.com

Dry Things Out

This will prevent further damage to furniture and other surfaces inside your home. Repairing structures that have been exposed to water damage is not easy. This means you need experience and the right tools for the job. It is vital to stop the water from causing even more mold and structural damage. In the case of mold, it will spread with moisture and increase the area it can cover.

If in a basement or a room without a door, you can use a shop vac for small sized damage areas or you may want to acquire a small pump for bigger jobs that can attach to your drill. You can rent a shopvac at many locations and find the inexpensive pumps at hardware stores. If your floor is carpeted, you’ll definitely want to use a shop vac to extract as much water out of the carpet as possible to avoid damage to your carpet.

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Remember, even if professional help is on the way, time is of the essence and anything you can do will help. Before entering flooded or recently flooded structures, make sure you check for potential safety hazards. Ensure that all electrical power and gas is off in areas affected by water damage. Be aware that wild animals and venomous insects can be washed into structures by flood waters. And flood waters can contain chemical and biological contaminants. Act fast and follow these tips after the water recedes to minimize damage and make the process of restoring your property easier and faster. If you have had the misfortune of home water damage, relax and follow a series of decisions that see to quick home restoration.

When it comes to small business insurance, the details of your coverage matter. That means you should know the location of the main shut-off valve for your building’s water supply. Shutting off the main valve will temporarily cut the flow of water to the building, preventing flooding until you are able to fix the problem.

Important Tips For Water Damage

Musty odors are a common sign that a property has water damage. The musty smell is like wet newspaper or cardboard and is usually the strongest around the area where the water damage occurred.

Repairing may ease your troubles in the short-term, but if you have an unidentified leak or other moisture issue, effects to your hardwoods will certainly recur. Here’s our very Sweet 16 list of things you can do to keep your house free of water damage. Contact the team at24/7 Flood Response to discuss your options when experiencing water damage in the Lakeway Area. Leaks are commonly found in your roof, pipes, windows, foundation, appliances, and plumbing fixtures. It only takes a few minutes to identify a leak in these areas. To properly avoid the risk of a Denver water damage issue, there are four important tips that absolutely must be taken into consideration. Our Chicago, IL office is located in Logan Square, justwest of Wrigley Fieldand nearby Humboldt Park.

The results of water damage caused by flooding are usually apparent very soon after the flood. Once the water resides, you will begin to see areas where sheetrock has areas of damage.

To get your property and life back to normal after a water disaster strikes, you need help that you can rely on. CatStrong, LLC trusted, experienced water restoration teams are standing by 24/7 to respond to your call whenever you need us. Ultimately, your home deserves the best care, and so do you. This can include everything from offering secure storage of your personal property on site while it is restored, to caring assistance with every question you may have. While water damage can be very stressful for homeowners, it is possible to restore your home back to normal with the right steps. When taking on your own restoration, it’s important to properly assess the situation before moving forward to avoid any health hazards. Light damage can often be handled by the homeowner, however, significant damage can be hazardous and dangerous to repair without the help of a professional.

A more recent method of checking for water loss is to purchase an electronic water leak detection system that installs directly on the main water supply line to the home. Leaks and burst pipes are caught before they cause too much damage. Products such as Flo and FloodMaster can even shut off the water main when this happens. Add ice dam protection to the perimeter of your roof to prevent water from backing up and leaking through the roof and into the attic. Any crack that you notice must be filled in; there is no such thing as a good or acceptable crack.

• Water damage is truly problematic because it can cause structural damage and even adversely affect the healthy environment of your home or establishment.
• You can apply an oil-based waterproofer or sealant on wood to protect it from water damage in the future.
• It is essential to have a water clean up immediately after an event to prevent further accidents and damage.
• Mold can live on wood and it is important to disinfect wooden materials in your home to prevent mold after water damage.
• Wood that has been exposed to moisture should be thoroughly cleaned of dirt, mold, and mildew.
• Continued rainfall, burst, and leaking pipes are common culprits of water damage.