Many disasters can befall your business. It could be the loss of clients, damage to large volumes of goods, loss of raw materials during shipping, or damage due to natural calamities.
Imagine going to work on a Monday morning and finding your commercial building flooded with water and your furniture, documents, and equipment completely soaked. It’ll likely be one of the biggest shocks of your life. In such a situation, what should you do, where will you start, and who do you call?
Put your worries to rest. This article will guide you in dealing with water damage in your commercial building.
Get To Safety
Safety should always come first in case of water damage. If your floors are flooded, evacuate the building. Standing in flood water can put you in danger of electrocution. So, if you can, turn off the main electrical switch. It also puts you at risk of catching illnesses and diseases, including skin infections. The ceiling of your building might also cave in due to all the moisture content and injure you.
Call A Water Damage Restoration Company
Once you’re safe, call a water damage restoration company. They’re experts at water removal and have all the necessary tools and equipment for it.
Depending on its classification, this expert will extract the water from your building without further damaging the structure and dispose of it accordingly. Clean water shouldn’t be disposed of like black or gray water.
If you want to know more about water removal services, you can find plenty of resources online.
Inform Your Insurance Provider
Some insurance providers offer coverage for damage caused by natural disasters like floods. If you have such insurance cover, inform your provider of the incident. Also, note that most insurance providers require that you inform them before filing a compensation claim.
Before starting the process, please review your insurance policy. Doing so enables you to assess whether your situation requires compensation. You don’t want to spend time and money going through the entire process only to be told you don’t qualify for compensation.
It’s important to note that insurance policies change. Therefore, ensure you’re perusing the latest under your coverage.
Inspect The Damage
During the inspection, ensure you’re as thorough as possible, taking note of even the smallest damage. Watch out for the sections near your floors; there’s a high likelihood of damage due to the water’s level. Search for signs of peeling paint, wet patches, and brown stains on your ceiling. Besides focusing on the building’s structural aspect, inspect your office equipment and other resources for damage.
Moreover, it’s best to take pictures as evidence. Such will come in handy in the compensation process. You can also take videos to properly illustrate your office’s before and after scenarios.
As a plus, highly consider seeking professional assistance for the inspection. It could be a water damage specialist or an adjuster. Doing so eliminates the possibility of missing crucial aspects and ensures you get the right compensation from your insurance provider.
Get Your Finances Ready
After the inspection, it’s time to repair and restore your commercial building. The cornerstone of the repair process is finance.
Yes, the insurance provider will compensate you; it might not be enough to repair all the damage. Hence, the need to prepare financially.
You can use the money from your savings or emergency fund. Where these don’t exist, consider seeking financing options like loans.
Ensure you have enough money for the project beforehand to ensure the repair process is continuous and won’t be disrupted by financial glitches.
Hire A Contractor
A contractor will execute the repairs to your commercial building. You might need several of them, depending on the damaged areas.
If your walls have cracks and absorbed water or your floor is damaged, hire a general contractor. Obtain the services of a roofing contractor if your ceiling and roof are destroyed. An electrician is necessary if some of your electrical equipment gets damaged or water entered your sockets. Lastly, a plumber will be required if the water damage was caused by leaking pipes or other plumbing aspects.
As you hire these contractors, ensure they’re qualified for the tasks at hand. Verify their qualifications by asking for their certifications and accreditations from relevant professional bodies. They should also have adequate experience handling water damage.
Conclusion
Water damage shouldn’t worry you too much. The above discussion highlights what you must do in the event of water damage, including how to reverse the situation. If you find yourself in such a situation, use the insights herein as a guide.
