Spring and summer are the prime seasons for rainstorms. In years past, some commercial property owners have had the misfortune of dealing with the aftermath of a storm. This kind of damage can be devastating. It can feel as if there is no way to recover from the event. But not all hope is lost. With time and effort, you can restore your property.
If you find yourself in this situation or want to create an emergency plan for one, we recommend following these steps. There are commercial cleaning services out there that can help you.
Remove Water and Debris
Water intrusion from a storm can lead to severe consequences for your building. Mold is one of the biggest concerns. Did you know that it only takes 24 to 28 hours for mold to grow? That is why you will want to make one of your first steps be to remove any water and debris.
There are a couple of ways that you can remove water from your building, one of those ways is by using a wet/dry vacuum. Once your building stops flooding and has remnants of water on the floor, it’s time to use the wet/dry vacuum. There are also companies out there that may be able to assist you in the water removal process.
Take Out Appliances and Furniture
Appliances and furniture can be some of the most costly items within a commercial building. Water intrusion could potentially ruin these items if they are left in standing water for too long. That is why it’s critical to remove these items immediately following the damage if you want a chance at salvaging them.
You will want to choose a place that is dry and safe from the elements for the items you remove. A portable storage container or storage unit are fantastic options when an event like this occurs. If another level of your building was unaffected, you may also want to consider storing the extra items there while you renovate.
Air The Space
A dry and clean space is the goal following storm damage. The sooner the area dries, the sooner you can return to normal. You’ll want to ensure that you fully dry and air out the area of storm damage before renovating and moving items back in.
The process of airing out your building is simple. All it takes is leaving windows and doors open. But you must ensure you choose a week with sunny weather and no rain. If you want to speed up the process, put some industrial fans to work in the affected area.
Assess and Treat for Mold
Following any natural disaster that causes water intrusion, mold is always a concern. The commonly found bathroom toxin can cause serious health problems and make a once healthy building unfit for entry. That’s why you must assess and treat for mold once your building is fully dry.
The first way to assess mold is to look for sensory signs. That can include a mildew or “old basement” smell and spotting. Mold spotting can look different depending on the type of mold it is. Some molds grow white and fuzzy, while others take on the classic, black-spotted appearance.
Sanitize Thoroughly
Getting your building back in running order is one of the main objectives of this plan. You need to ensure that it’s safe for entry and work, no matter what type of business it is. That is where the importance of sanitization comes into the picture.
Unlike your everyday sanitizing and cleaning routine, it’s vital to cover the areas we commonly don’t use. Storms can bring in unwanted organisms, but it’s nothing a thorough sanitization using a special cleaner can’t solve.
Outsourcing the Project
A commercial cleaning company that offers one-off services can help get your building ready for entry following a storm. We recommend utilizing a company that specializes in sanitization services when these events occur.
