4 Tips for Cleaning Your Commercial Property After Water Damage

8/21/2018 (Permalink)

If you own commercial property, you know that water damage can be horribly bad for business.  It can ruin your assets and disrupt the flow of transactions and productivity that keep your business growing. Whether you own an office building, a retail store, a restaurant, or even a manufacturing plant, whatever the size of your business, you need to get back to “business as usual” as soon as you can.

If your commercial property has been struck by water damage, you’ll want to act quickly in order to minimize any losses. Time is of the essence when it comes to salvaging what you own. Unfortunately, expensive items, like furniture and electronics, are often the most prone to be ruined by water damage, so you’ll want to do as much as you can and bring in assistance as quickly as you can to reduce the long-term costs.

If you’re dealing with water damage to your business, here are 4 tips that can help you deal with the problem and minimize the extent of the damage:

Cut the Power and Remove Any Salvageable Large Items

The first thing you must remember is the truism: safety first.

If it is safe to do so, turn off the electricity, and focus on removing valuable assets from the affected area.  You might be able to salvage area rugs and carpeting if they are removed and dried quickly.  The same is true for electronics, furniture, and other important movable items you need for your business.

Remove as Much Water as You Can

There are multiple methods for removing water.  A sump pump can be an effective tool for removing lots of water and can sometimes even be rented from a nearby hardware store if you don’t have one on hand.  If It is possible to safely access an electrical outlet that is far enough away from the water, you might also be able to use a wet/dry vacuum.

If need be, manual methods of water removal can work.  Buckets, mops and towels can be safe and effective, especially if the water damage is contained to a delimited area.

Your professional cleaning and restoration services provider will be able to bring industrial grade tools and expert techniques to clean up your water damage, so if your problem is extensive, you will want their help as soon as possible.

Allow for Ventilation and Drying

Once you’ve cleared out as much standing water as you can, you want to speed up the drying process as much as possible.

Open any doors or windows to allow maximum ventilation.  If you have access to electricity, you can also use fans and/or a dehumidifier. Turn them up to the highest possible setting for the quickest results.

Clean and Disinfect

Once the water has dried out, use a disinfectant to clean the affected area and get rid of any bacteria contamination.

Make sure to wear protective clothing and use a 10% bleach solution or other proven disinfectant on areas where it is safe to do so.

You want to prevent any contamination from spreading and affecting other areas of your business property. This includes odor control and the prevention of mold growth.

If your business requires emergency professional cleaning and restoration services, your local SERVPRO experts are here to help.  We have the professional training, skills, and equipment to respond to any size water damage problem and restore you back to business fast.  You can reach SERVPRO of Eatontown/ Long Branch anytime 24/7 at 732-858-5422.