Commercial Water Damage Restoration

Discovering water in your business is never a pleasant situation. And the unexpected damage affects more than your commercial property. When a roof fails or a sprinkler system malfunctions, your business cannot operate. Your employees are out of work and your customers begin shopping elsewhere. The decisions you make next will determine how extensive the total cost will be to your company.

What to do after you discover water in your commercial facility?

1. Safety First

The first step is to make sure the building is safe. Safety hazards from falling ceilings to electrical hazards may be present. If it looks like a ceiling or wall might fall do not enter the room. Place a warning sign and lock the door if possible. Be careful of water that has come through electrical panels or outlets. Old or damaged breakers may not trip, and the area may have live electricity running through it. If necessary and safe to do so, it may be best to shut the electricity off. If in doubt stay away from the area until a professional can inspect the damages.

2. Stop the Source of Water

If you know where the water is coming from and can turn it off at its source, do it. Larger commercial buildings should have separate valves for each area. This way you are not shutting down the entire building. If you do not know these locations, contact the building engineer or facility manager. If the roof has failed find a company to tarp or construct a temporary roof. Most commercial restoration companies should have a solution for you if needed.

3. Documentation

It may be a day or even a few weeks before the adjuster arrives. Pictures of standing water will help your adjuster justify the claim. If demolition is necessary, then those pictures may be the only proof that the facility was wet. Videos are even better and can cover more area in a short period of time.

4. Get the Water Out

It is easiest to remove water in its liquid form.  Using mops, squeegees, wet vacs, or even towels will help start the process.  A restoration company or even a carpet cleaning company will have powerful extraction tools to remove standing water fast.  As the water begins to saturate building materials it will have to be removed through evaporation and dehumidification, which will take more time and energy.

5. Start Dehumidification Before Evaporation

Removing moisture from the air is a key component of drying a commercial facility. While many people’s first instinct is to put fans on wet areas, this may cause more harm than good. Too much evaporation may lead to the dew point, or 100% relative humidity. Cranking the HVAC down to fast may also lead to the same situation. As condensation begins, building material will begin to sweat. Unaffected areas begin to absorb moisture and secondary damages occur. If the condition persists, mold growth may begin to form. Before forcing evaporation, it is important to know the temperature, humidity, and dew point.

6. Damage Inspection

The damage inspection should include an initial moisture map. Specialized tools help determine the extent of and severity of the water damage. Thermo-hygrometers will show things such as dewpoint and humidity. Thermal cameras will show temperature differentials and can help pinpoint hidden moisture. As a word of caution, be wary of those who rely on thermal cameras alone. The camera will only show temperature differentials, not actual moisture content. Moisture meters verify what is wet and give quantitative readings.

7. Set a Structural Drying Strategy and Mitigation Plan

After the inspection, there should be enough information to create a plan or strategy. The plan should include at least the following;

  • Quantity of air movers or fans

  • Amount and type of dehumidification

  • What areas or building materials are wet, and the current % of moisture in those materials

  • The drying goal, or point at which those materials are dry

  • What materials will need demolition and when they will be removed

  • The estimated time frame of the project

  • The estimated cost of the project or at least the initial phases of the project

Several other items such as chain of communication and billing are important, But it’s paramount that the customer understands and agrees with the mitigation plan. There should be consensus before signing a contract. This will help keep the project on track and avoid future discrepancies.

water damage commercial drying
commercial pipe damaged and leaking water
water damage in commercial building
commercial water damage equipment
Water Damage Restoration Service in School

Why Flood Zone for your Commercial Water Damage Project?

When water damages your commercial building count on us to clean up the mess. Our commercial restoration team has what you need for fast recovery. Rather than immediate demolition, our focus is on salvaging building material. This process cuts downtime and interruptions to your daily operations.

Every commercial water loss is different so, we develop a specific plan based on your project. Some projects might need after-hours work. Others might have noise concerns or sensitive technology to protect. No matter what type of business you run or what your needs are, we will accommodate.

We follow recognized industry standards for commercial water damage clean up and restoration. Our restorers also understand commercial building construction. This allows us to mitigate damages fast.

Our consistent success is more than our industrial drying equipment. Providing a smarter, safer, and more efficient service for our clients takes effort, and becoming an expert in commercial water damage restoration takes time. For consistent success in commercial restoration, it takes training, experience, and teamwork.

Our Training

Specialized training through independent and national companies is a constant at Flood Zone. By sending our specialists through OSHA and IICRC classes we create certified restorers. Those commercial restorers then begin to specialize in various areas. Our commercial water damage restorers receive training and certifications in the following areas;

  • OSHA 10/30 – Safety in commercial buildings
  • OSHA Disaster Site Worker – working in disaster areas
  • IICRC – Water Damage Restoration
  • IICRC – Applied Structural Drying
  • IICRC – Commercial Drying Specialist
  • IICRC – Master Water Damage Restorer
  • Recognizing and eliminating job site hazards
  • Psychrometry, the science behind drying
  • Commercial building construction
  • Temporary generator set-up, power distribution, and safety
  • Industrial desiccant dehumidifier set-up
  • Controlling a commercial drying environment
  • Aerial Platform Training
  • Large Loss Certification

Having trained personnel is critical for successful commercial water damage clean up. Training programs continue throughout employment. This keeps our people at the top of their field to provide you with unprecedented service.

commercial water damage clean up team on roof
commercial water damage restoration services

Experienced in Drying Commercial Buildings

Certifications and training are great, but they are no substitute for field experience. We have experience restoring all types of commercial buildings from water damage. From large warehouse facilities to schools and offices, we have been there, done that.
 
All commercial restoration projects are unique in some way. Some have limitations or complications that need a fast and customized approach. Some might have hazardous chemicals or dangerous machinery. Decades of commercial water damage restoration experience means fewer mistakes. Fewer mistakes equate to a safer and faster restoration. Our seasoned commercial restorers will have you back in business in no time.

We Understand Teamwork

Fast clean up and restoration of water-damaged facilities takes teamwork. We Understand that large commercial restoration projects have many parties involved. Helping organize communication with these parties may be difficult and time-consuming and we can help by setting clear lines of communication early. By communicating and working as a team we guarantee a smooth uneventful project.

Our Core Values

We are committed to our core values, and these principles guide every aspect of our business.

  • 24/7 emergency response

  • Moisture detection and thermal imaging

  • Water extractions

  • Structural drying

  • Emergency power

  • Desiccant and generator rentals