Has Your Business Faced a Storm? Here’s What You Should Do

[This article was written by Lizzie Weakley.]

Without a proper plan in place, your water damage will last for years after the storm ends. There are some repairs that you can do yourself, but you most likely have to contact a long list of professionals for assistance. Prevent your current problems from worsening by knowing what to do after a storm hits your business.

Follow a Disaster Recovery Plan

Immediately after a disaster, review your current disaster recovery plan to put its actions into place right away. You have short-term needs, such as removing wastewater and restoring electricity, that need to be performed. Have a list of contact numbers to call and step-by-step guides to ensure that your actions are carried out successfully.

Review Your Commercial Insurance Policies

After a storm, review your business’s insurance policies to know the limits of your coverage. If flooding is involved, review the flood insurance policy if it’s available. This coverage is necessary to cover the costs of repairing water damage, including a water restoration service. Wind and hail insurance is recommended to property owners who are hit by high-speed winds during hurricanes and severe thunderstorms. Start by making good estimates of the money that your business has to pay for the storm damages.

Contact a Water Damage Restoration Provider

Contacting a reputable water damage restoration provider is one of the first steps to take right after a flood. Commercial restoration from an experienced company is recommended to remove all traces of water, including stains, mold and rotting items that are deteriorating rapidly. People who perform these steps themselves face increased health and safety risks, including exposure to dangerous levels of bacteria and possible infections.

Contact an Electrician and/or Plumber

Whether your business has been hit by a flood or not, your building is likely to have electrical or plumbing problems. If you’ve experienced a blackout or power surge, you could have damaged appliances or electrical outlets that you don’t know about. Additionally, there may be something wrong with your plumbing system like broken pipes that cause backups. In either case, contact a plumber or electrician to visit your property and fix the problem right away.

Every business deals with storms several times a year. However, in some areas, the flooding and wind damages become so severe that it’s necessary to contact restoration professionals. After a storm, act quickly and know the right series of steps to take in order.

Author Bio:

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.