4 Steps To Repair a Storm-Damaged Roof

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Water that leaks through a roof can damage building materials and the contents of a structure.

Four Steps to Restoring a Storm-Damaged Roof

Hail, high winds, and other adverse weather conditions can cause costly damage to the roof of a residence in Auburn, WA. Here are four steps you can take to address roof damage.

1. Document the Damage

Extensive photographic or video evidence of hail, wind, or other storm damage will be necessary if you plan to file an insurance claim for a damaged roof. It may also be necessary to demonstrate a history of regular inspections and maintenance to avoid liability on the basis of negligence.

2. Cover Any Breaches

Any damaged roofing materials or missing shingles may result in leaks that affect the attic, insulation, and ceilings of a structure. As soon as signs of roof damage become apparent, you should make arrangements for mitigation. An all-in-one restoration service or roofing company can tarp over the damaged portions of the roof to protect against wind damage and leaks.

3. Arrange for Repair

Mitigation is only a temporary protective measure until repairs are possible. You should schedule roof repair as soon as possible to reduce the risk of further exterior and interior damage.

4. Restore Interior Damage

Water that leaks through a roof can damage building materials and the contents of a structure. This water is generally considered contaminated Category Two gray water. Cleanup should involve disinfection, tearing out saturated porous materials, and thoroughly drying the affected area prior to reinstalling materials such as drywall or insulation.

These four steps will guide you through the quickest and most effective ways to fix a damaged roof after adverse weather. It is a good idea to check for roof damage after every severe storm. Regular professional inspections and maintenance can also reduce the risk of a leak or collapse due to cumulative damage. A restoration company that specializes in storm damage can quickly clean up, restore and rebuild a residence located in Auburn, WA.

3 Essential Tips When Your Business Experiences Flood Damage

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Checking for mold growth after a flood.

Flood Damage In Your Business

When flood damage hits your business in Auburn, WA, your work life may come to an abrupt halt and your priorities have to shift to recovering from the disaster. It's essential to move quickly getting things cleared up, but there are a few important things to keep in mind as you go about content cleaning.

1. Avoid Turning On Electronics

Although some or all of your electronic devices may have been caught up in the flood, there's a chance they would survive it if they're handled correctly. Most importantly, do not try to turn them back on yet. Instead, they need to be carefully restored and thoroughly dried first, at which point they may be able to turn on and operate normally. As with any restorations after water damage, though, time matters. The longer they remain water damaged, the more extensive the repairs will be or the greater the likelihood that replacement will be necessary.

2. Remove Unharmed Items From Danger

Items not already damaged in the storm should be removed from the vicinity until all has been resolved. Storm damage can bring black water with it, so the more you can save from coming into contact with it the better. This will also make content cleaning easier as there will be fewer things to clean and restore or dispose of.

3. Steer Clear of Moldy Areas

If enough time passes while areas stay wet, mold will begin to grow. Avoid messing with or placing items near mold, as the spores can shoot out and latch onto more surfaces. Mold needs to be properly remediated to prevent it from spreading.

You can't afford for your business to stay down for long. Every day may mean lost revenue. If the damage is extensive or you need it fixed faster than you can manage, it might be time to turn to professional content cleaning services to put your business right again.

4 Steps for Preventing Major Roof Repairs After a Storm

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

It’s prudent to have a professional perform a thorough inspection

Four Steps To Take After Experiencing A Storm

All homeowners hope to avoid costly repairs to their homes, and roof repair is certainly a costly project. Fortunately, there are some things that Enumclaw, WA, homeowners can do to ensure that their roof is safe and in good condition. 

1. Inspection

There are storm restoration specialists who have the training and skills necessary to ensure that your roof and home are free from damage after a storm. Even if a storm seems to have caused little damage, such as hail or wind, it’s prudent to have a professional perform a thorough inspection. Your roof should be inspected in the following three areas:

• Roof membrane
• Insulation
• Flashing

A professional will also document the event, including storm details and identified roof damage. These details can assist with insurance claims.

2. Mitigation

Mitigation is the process of reducing the amount of harm caused to your roof. Though hail and wind damage may seem minor, a weakened roof can lead to more expensive repairs or replacement in the future. Storm restoration professionals can perform mitigation techniques that will extend the life of your roof.

3. Drying

A major part of roof repair includes structural drying. All building materials need to be inspected to understand the extent of water damage. Water is pervasive and can cause additional issues like mold. The entire roof system, including the membrane, insulation, and flashing, should be inspected for water. Fortunately, emergency technicians are available 24/7 to assist with unexpected storms.

4. Restoration

The final step is restoration. Restoration specialists will ensure that the roof and your belongings are free from hazards. Building materials, carpeting, rugs and other belongings may need to be replaced due to water damage.

Homeowners should have a professional roof inspection done after a storm. Storm restoration specialists can help homeowners identify roof repair that needs to be done.

3 Facts That Will Make You Want Flood Insurance

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial water mitigation in Black Diamond, WA.

Protect Your Business With Flood Policy

Business owners from high-risk flood zones have probably seen commercial insurance policies that offer protection against natural disasters. Meanwhile, many business owners in Black Diamond, WA, do not understand this option's importance. These people are too worried about the cost of the policy, which can range from a reasonable FEMA policy to a high-end private one. They often overlook the fact that a flood can cause excessive damage that needs to be restored by a storm remediation company. If you are in this boat, some facts may convince you that flood insurance is a good idea.

1. Property Insurance Doesn’t Cover Flooding

Even commercial insurance only covers damage from rainwater that has not touched the ground. For instance, if a tree goes through your roof while a storm rages and rainwater ruins your floor, it is covered. Once water hits the ground, it becomes a flood and is no longer covered. In other words, a rising creek caused by rain is not covered. Only flood insurance will cover this type of situation.

2. Every Business Is at Risk of Flooding

Rather than if, you should ask how much flood risk you have. The national flood maps can give you an idea of your exact risk. Certain zones are high-risk. Others are medium- or low-risk. Remember that low does not mean no. You are still at risk for flooding in low-risk zones.

3. Government Aid Is Not Insurance

Unlike commercial insurance, government aid is primarily loans that you'll need to repay. Plus, you cannot receive aid unless your area is federally declared a disaster zone, which happens for only a few major flooding events.

Unfortunately, standard insurance doesn't cover flooding. To protect your business, you'll need a flood policy. To make things worse, you can't rely on government aid for your company. These are simply loans that you will need to pay back. Plus, you can't always receive these loans. Since every business is in a flood zone, proper insurance is a must. This ensures that any damage you incur to do a flood is covered.

Best 4 Tips To Prevent Mold After a Flood

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

If your home or business experiences storm or flood damage, call our SERVPRO of Auburn/Enumclaw team today!

Best 4 Flood Mold Prevention Tips

Flooding in your house is bad, and mold growth is even worse. Mold develops in moist environments. This is why it normally appears after a flood in Black Diamond, WA. One of the first things you must do is clean it up as soon as possible. Below is some practical advice for safely preventing or removing this fungus from your residence.

1. Wear Protective Gear

Think of your safety first. Before cleaning up anything in your home, make sure you have the right protective equipment. These items include:

• Gloves
• Goggles
• Masks

These supplies go a long way to protect your skin, mouth, nose and eyes. Generally speaking, it's best to hire a professional mold remediation company to tackle the job.

2. Toss Out Items

Throw away personal possessions that are damaged beyond repair. Otherwise, place salvageable goods outdoors so they can dry. It normally takes wet materials up to 48 hours to air out. Afterward, bring them inside and wipe off the mold.

3. Dry Your House

Make sure it's safe to use electricity in your home after the flood. Air out your home by opening windows, using house fans and turning on dehumidifiers. This removes moisture from the house, which prevents mold growth from developing in your home.

4. Clean Away the Mold

Scrub or wipe away mold off your items using bleach. Take safety precautions when doing this. Make sure you wear a mask, gloves and goggles. Keep the windows open. Dilute every one cup of bleach with one gallon of water. As a best practice, never mix bleach with ammonia.

Free Your Home From Mold Growth

In some cases, mold is something you can clean up on your own. However, it requires that you follow strict safety precautions to properly prevent or remove mold from your home. If you don't feel confident taking this on as a DIY project, hire professional technicians who are experienced in mold removal and restoration.

The Ultimate First Aid Kit Checklist for Businesses

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Bandages, tape, tools, medicines, blankets, food, and water are all vital to stocking your business for any situation, no matter how unexpected

The Ultimate Business First Aid Kit Checklist

If disaster strikes, is your business prepared? There are certain requirements for a first aid kit in a commercial building. This checklist includes all of those and more. Make sure your emergency kit is up to par.

Precautionary Measures

The first thing you should do during an emergency is prevent the spread of infection. Any open wound needs to be handled with care as not to spread any bacteria. Furthermore, if there is a weather event that has affected the building's structure, you want to make sure inhabitants aren't breathing in dangerous particles.

• Masks
• Gloves
• Wound cleaners

This is the first line of defense. Don't skip this step. A damage and remediation specialist can offer suggestions.

Bandages and Gauze

Another essential need involves wound bandaging. Here are the recommendations:

• Gauze pads (medium and large)
• Gauze roller bandage (2 inches wide)
• Bandages (boxed and triangular)
• Two elastic wraps

Injuries can vary in size, so it's best to keep a variety.

Tools

It's difficult to predict the tools needed in each instance. Instead, keep an array, such as:

• Resuscitation devices
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Tongue depressors
• Splints
• Adhesive tape

Then, you will always be prepared, regardless of the wound.

Medicines

Keep treatments for common afflictions handy. Some include:

• Antihistamines
• Anti-inflammatory pills
• Ointments

These can be helpful for ailments ranging from burns to a minor headache. Just make sure to have written consent to administer medications.

Shelter, Warmth, and Sustenance

In the event of an emergency, you may lose access to basic human needs. Make sure your kit contains:

• Blankets
• Nonperishable foods
• Water

This way, if your building is damaged, you can keep those inside safe for long periods of time.

Emergency Instructions

Always provide instructions in your first aid kit for contacting emergency assistance services. It's also advisable to include a content list with guidelines for use. Make sure items aren't out of date or damaged. Also, consider including a building layout and any special needs notes. Furthermore, always check your local requirements for emergency preparedness in Auburn, WA.

Making preparations before the disaster is crucial. Every first aid kit should have items to prevent the spread of bacteria while dressing wounds. Bandages, tape, tools, medicines, blankets, food, and water are all vital to stocking your business for any situation, no matter how unexpected.

5 Tips for Storm Preparation

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has a team of licensed water damage restoration professionals who are ready to restore your home or business after storm damage at any time.

5 Storm Preparation Tips

If you work in an area like Enumclaw, WA, that experiences frequent storms, you may be wondering what exterior maintenance steps you can do to help protect your business from the weather. Fortunately, there are a few steps that many experts recommend.

1. Know the Weather in Your Area

One important aspect of storm preparation is to be aware of the weather. Knowing when you can expect a large thunderstorm or snow can allow you to prepare ahead of time. This can help you prevent possible damages.

2. Protect the Building as Needed

Depending on the weather you're expecting, you may choose to protect your building. Several possibilities include boarding over windows, or placing tarps over vulnerable landscaping. You may also choose to contact a local professional for a recommendation on preventive steps you can take.

3. Inspect Your Building Regularly

Another aspect of storm prevention is regular exterior maintenance. Scheduling a regular building inspection can help you find and repair any problem areas before they become vulnerable to a storm.

4. Keep up With Repairs

Keeping your building maintained can help prevent long-term damage. Conducting repairs to any damaged areas you find as quickly as possible can help you stay on top of the building's maintenance needs, and help prevent long-term repair cost.

5. Know Who to Call for Any Repairs

Another important step for storm preparation is to know who to call for repairs. In many cases a water damage restoration team can help with any flooding or water damages that may have occurred.

When preparing for a storm, these exterior maintenance steps may help you protect the building. Know what the weather in your area is going to do so that you can prepare beforehand. Inspect the property regularly, and conduct repairs as soon as a problem area is found. For large repair jobs you may want to contact a professional.

Beyond Flooding: Understanding Different Types of Storm Damage

11/16/2021 (Permalink)

If severe weather damages your business, call our SERVPRO team for your water removal and restoration needs today.

Understanding Storm Damage Beyond Flooding

From hurricanes to blinding blizzards, there are as many forms of potential storm damage as there are different types of storms. While most business owners anticipate damage from the standing water of flooding, the truth is storm damage can include

• Ice dams
• Wind impact
• Burst pipe damage

and more. Here are just a few of the more unique ways storms can cause damage to your Black Diamond, WA business. Are you prepared?

Hail Damage

Hail is a form of solid precipitation comprised of bits of ice. Hail stones can be as small as a pea or as big as a baseball and can come down with significant force. The result can be most pronounced on your roof, where hail can leave pock marks and even knock roofing granules away leaving dark spots. The former is unsightly, while the latter can lead to leaks and cracks that are costly to repair.

Impact Damage

Sometimes damage a storm causes around your building can inadvertently affect your business. High winds during a storm can knock down tree limbs and in extreme instances, turn signs and mailboxes into projectiles. These can crash into windows or, in the case of limbs, onto your roof.
Ice Damage

Some of the most unexpected forms of storm damage can come from ice and snow. Rapidly cooling temperatures can lead to frozen pipes, resulting in burst pipe damages and a disabled business. Ice can also wreak havoc on your drainage system, freezing in gutters and forming harmful ice dams. The weight of heavy snow, meanwhile, can be enough to damage or even destroy a roof.

Preparing your business for a storm means considering more than just flooding. Hail, wind and even ice can be formidable foes, causing burst pipes and more. Prepare by learning about all the risks and connecting with a seasoned storm restoration firm if the unthinkable has already happened.

Mitigation VS. Restoration: What You Need To Know

9/14/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can respond quickly to any storm or flood emergency. We have trained professionals for your service.

What You Should Know About Mitigation vs. Restoration

The best way to prepare yourself and your business premises in Enumclaw, WA, for disasters and disaster cleanup is to know what you’re up against in terms of work that needs to be done. When it comes to cleanup, that usually means knowing the difference between mitigation and restoration. The basic facts you should always keep in mind are that:

• Mitigation comes first, and can be very quick
• Restoration follows mitigation, and can be lengthy
• Both are necessary in order to get your business back in order after a flood, fire or other disaster, and should be performed by a professional flood cleanup company

Mitigation

When you call up your flood cleanup company to take care of an issue, they’ll typically perform a few mitigation measures before getting to work on cleanup. Mitigation efforts are meant to prevent further damage and loss from occurring due to the existing threat, thus increasing the overall amount of work that needs to be done during the restoration itself. When dealing with flooding, this often means removing affected furniture from a home and drying out carpets and rugs to prevent them from damaging your subflooring. This is typically the quickest part of a cleanup project.

Restoration

After mitigation is done, it’s time for restoration. Restoration is performed on items that could not be saved by mitigation efforts, and items that were damaged before the restoration company arrived. This step is often much larger and much more lengthy, and may involve the complete replacement of floors, roofs, walls and other portions of your business that have been too damaged to save.

Knowing the difference between these two services is crucial, especially when it comes to submitting insurance claims and dealing with the financial aftermath. Your flood cleanup company can often offer more information on the subject, and explain its mitigation techniques and restoration times in a more in-depth manner if needed.

What To Do If You Do Not Have Flood Insurance

8/12/2021 (Permalink)

Double check your need for flood coverage

Many people who live far from major waterways assume that they do not need flood insurance. But with increasingly unpredictable weather in recent years, homes that are not on a flood plain can also be inundated. Even a few inches of water in your house is enough to cause major damage.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to get help if you experience flooding but do not have insurance in Pacific, WA. There are also good reasons to consider insuring your home against flooding even if you have never thought it necessary.

What To When Your Home Is Damaged by a Flood

If water ravages your home but you don't have insurance that covers floods, there are three steps to take:

• Consult the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine whether your home is in a declared federal disaster zone.
• If it is, make an appointment with a FEMA inspector to visit your home and assess the damage as soon as possible.
• Look for companies in Pacific, WA, that specialize in flood mitigation and restoration.
• Even if you initiate the cleanup process, you can apply for reimbursement.
  
  

Why You Should Reconsider Flood Insurance
Even if you are confident that you live far from a flood plain, it is worth double-checking your need for flood coverage. On FEMA’s website, you can enter your address and see the agency’s assessment of the flood risk near you. You may be surprised at how close some waterways are to your family’s most valuable asset.

How To Stay Safe, Not Sorry
It's comforting that the federal government can assist in the event of an unexpected deluge. But if you are not in a declared disaster zone, you may not get the help you need.
Water is one of the most powerful forces on earth and can have serious consequences if it gets into your home, yet most homeowner’s policies do not cover flooding. The National Flood Insurance Program can be less than $500 per year, and some private insurance companies also offer flood-related insurance. It is an additional expense, but in today’s unpredictable world, the peace of mind may be worth it.

Clearing Drains and Gutters Before a Flood

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

Keep your gutters clean.

Clearing Drains and Gutters in Advance of a Flood

Before flooding hits Wynaco, WA, you have the power to take action and lessen potential harm to your home. It is especially important to ensure excess water can easily drain away in a storm. At any time of year, leaves and debris can pile up in gutters and on top of storm drains, so be sure to always keep them clean. Following these simple steps while the sky is still clear can help prevent the worst of future flood damage.

1. Twice a year, clean your gutters. This approach is a great way to avoid severe flooding. Each spring and fall, remove the covers from dry gutters. Put on gloves, and use your hands or a small tool to brush away debris. With your hose, run water through the cleared gutter to confirm uninterrupted flow. Don’t forget to rake up leaves and debris and put them in a proper container when you’re done.

2. Practice other gutter etiquettes. This includes fixing leaky gutters, either yourself or with the help of a professional. You should also direct gutter downspouts away from your foundation and your neighbors’ properties.

3. Keep leaves and sticks in a yard waste bin. Yard debris left lying loose on your land can quickly end up in drains. This will exacerbate any flooding caused by a storm and lead to more problems in the long run.

4. Take time to check storm drains for debris piled on top. If you notice leaves and debris lying on the surface of storm drains, act rapidly to remove them with a rake or broom. As always, put everything you collect into a yard waste bin or other container.

Storm damage in Wynaco, WA, often includes floods, one of the worst disasters that can strike your home. In addition to taking smart steps after a flood, such as calling restoration professionals, use the above list now to keep gutters and drains clear and ready to do their job in a storm.

Businesses Can Almost Always Write Off Losses From Storm Damage

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

Personal property located at a business may not be deductible

Businesses Can Almost Always Write Off Losses From Storm Damage

On average, storm damage amounts are increasing every year. This is due to a variety of circumstances, including

• Changing climate
  
• Lax construction codes
  
• Larger population
  
• More expensive homes and commercial buildings
  
  

Unfortunately, private property damage from storms and wildfires may not always be tax-deductible. However, in almost all cases, it will be deductible for commercial properties in Black Diamond, WA.

Items That Can Be Deducted
Basically, if it’s an “ordinary and necessary” expense related to operating a business, you can usually write it off. If a storm has caused damage to your building, vehicles or any other item needed to operate, that’s a legitimate business expense. Common forms of storm damage include:

• Wind damage
  
• Water damage
  
• Tree damage
  
• Fire or heat damage
  
  

Items That Can’t Be Deducted
Personal property located at a business may not be deductible. This varies somewhat; for instance, if a customer’s vehicle was damaged on your business’ property and you reimburse them for it, that may be a legitimate tax deduction.
If it’s your personal property – or the personal property of your employees – you may be able to write off reimbursing these losses. However, this can cross the line in some cases, and it can raise red flags, so your best bet is to talk with your attorney or CPA.

Disaster Relief
In a declared disaster zone, many homeowners and some businesses may be eligible for loans and grants. This usually comes in the form of a federal disaster, but states can also make a declaration.
Most of the grants won’t be available for businesses, but this is not always the case. However, the chief form of aid usually comes from the Small Business Association in the form of low-interest loans.
The key factor is to get your business back in operation as soon as possible. Small businesses that don’t reopen to some degree within days are far more likely to fail within a year.
You need a preferred restoration company to immediately tarp and board exposed areas and make rapid repairs to storm damage. Afterward, they can work on restoring your building to its original condition.

How To Stay Healthy as a First Responder to a Flood

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

When you're working on a flood response team, it's especially important to remember to wash your hands

How To Protect Yourself While Taking Care Of Others

If you're working as a first responder in Oceola, WA, it's important to know how to protect yourself while you're taking care of others. After all, you can't be there for others if you're sick from coming into contact with bacteria at a disaster site.

1. Keep Up With Your Immunizations
Getting the proper immunizations is a big part of keeping you safe when you're working on a flood response team. Here are a few that are required by the CDC:

Tetanus - This immunization prevents diseases that can come from contact with rusty metals. Most Americans received this as a part of a TDAP vaccine as a child, but you do need to get a booster every 10 years.
Hepatitis B - This vaccine series is required for those who will be in contact with bodily fluids while caring for patients. Even if you don't plan to be doing this, it's still a good idea to have in case you find yourself in this situation during your work.

2. Wash Your Hands
When you're working on a flood response team, it's especially important to remember to wash your hands before touching your face or eating. There is a wide variety of pathogens that you're encountering in the flood water, so keep them from entering your body by using a generous amount of soap and warm water or by using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

3. Wear Protective Gear
Even the flood waters have receded, it's important to make sure you're protecting yourself from mold and harmful bacteria that may have been left behind. Wear an appropriate mask, eye protection, rubber boots and rubber gloves while working as a first responder. Wearing two pairs of gloves or a pair of rip-stop gloves is never a bad idea, either.
As a first responder, it's important to protect yourself so that you can continue helping others. Flood remediation companies take steps to protect their employees in less dramatic situations, so make sure you are following safety protocols as well.

Why You Need To Know About Black Water

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Stormwater enters in a building in Wynaco, WA

Levels Of Water Contamination

When water encroaches where it doesn’t belong, it can cause costly property damage in a short time. If water damages your Wynaco, WA, property, the toxicity of the water greatly affects the methods you must use to clean up. Whether a broken pipe or flood water caused your problem, it helps to understand the three levels of water contamination.

Category 1
Water from this lowest contamination level is called clean water. It may originate from any of the following sources:

• Broken water supply lines
  
• Leaking roofs or windows
  
• Leaking water heaters or other appliances
  
  

The cleanup for Category 1 water damage is relatively simple. It involves basic water extraction and restoration of any damage.

Category 2
When your property is damaged by water leaking from a sink, dishwasher, or washing machine drain, it is considered greywater. It is not as benign as clean water but not as toxic as floodwater. The water has been used by the consumer or appliance and has taken on traces of grease, dirt, or food. Disinfectants and basic sanitation methods minimize the spread of the contamination during cleanup.

Category 3
When a sewer pipe leak or stormwater enters your building, you have Category 3 water damage. This level of contamination, also called black water, requires professional cleanup and restoration services because it often contains sewage, toxic chemicals, bacteria or physical hazards. Restoration teams wear specialized safety gear and use special filtrations systems to extract the excess water and begin the cleanup process.
If flood water caused your property damage, be aware that your conventional business insurance will not generally cover the damage. A specialized government flood insurance policy would be needed. Your insurance agent can advise you about purchasing a flood policy.
When your business is affected by storm damage or any water-related property damage, you have some decisions to make in a short period. Once you determine the level of contamination, you can implement the best cleanup process and begin working toward restoring your property and your business to normalcy.

Is Your Business Prepared To Evacuate in the Event of an Emergency?

8/16/2020 (Permalink)

While an emergency in the workplace is never expected, disasters happen every day in businesses all around the country. That’s why it’s so important to implement a fire drill plan for your employees and customers. By keeping a few simple guidelines in mind when designing your evacuation procedure, you can make sure your business in Auburn, WA, is prepared for a worst-case scenario.

1. Pay attention to details.
Where is a fire most likely to break out in your building? How is the customer traffic flow designed? What are the locations of sprinklers and fire extinguishers? These are factors that will need to be considered when planning for an emergency. Map your evacuation route to bypass dangerous areas and allow for the fastest possible exit from the building.

2. Communication is key.
Even the most well designed fire drill plan is useless if you don’t ensure that every employee knows how to implement it. Keep in mind that your employees will need to guide customers to safety in the event of an emergency, so it’s imperative that they have access to a printed evacuation route and are aware of where all the building exits are located.

3. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Even the most level headed employee can panic if a fire breaks out at work. That’s why evacuation drills should be rehearsed on a regular basis to make sure that everyone knows their role in an emergency. Address any issues or confusion after each drill to develop a reliable exit strategy. Shift leaders and managers should have the contact information for a reliable fire damage restoration company to call after ensuring that all customers and employees are out of the building and first responders are on the way.

While no business owner wants to think about a life threatening emergency in their building, it’s crucial to have a fire drill plan in place to ensure the safety of your employees and customers. By remembering to prepare for the worst-case scenario, you can prevent a tragedy from occurring.

Smart Ways to Prepare for Flood Response

7/10/2020 (Permalink)

Wise companies know that emergency response is an important aspect of maintaining a productive business. You probably practice fire drills and even teach your employees basic first aid. However, do you have plans in place to react to flooding in the building? If you haven’t addressed this situation yet, now is the time.

The Possible Consequences

Water issues are nothing to take lightly. Flood damage can threaten your business’s viability and even harm employees. If you aren’t prepared, the following could affect your company:

• Loss of work days due to relocation or shutdown
• Loss of equipment or files
• Unhealthy atmosphere for workers
  

Proper Maintenance

The first thing you can do is help prevent flooding by ensuring systems and processes work properly. Inspect the plumbing in your Auburn, WA, building each year, or more often if your facility is older. Check the rain gutters and downspouts and make sure they divert water away from the foundation. Have a flood response specialist identify any sewage concerns with the main lines coming into your office.

Have a Backup Plan

You no doubt have sensitive files and data on your computers and servers. Water can wreak havoc on electronics, which could destroy this valuable information. Make sure you back up all essential data on the cloud.

Have a Business Continuity Plan

A flood at work could be minor and do little to interrupt your daily activities. However, in more significant incidents such as when black water comes onto the premises, you could be out of the office for weeks or even months. Make sure you have a plan to keep your business running, whether this occurs in a secondary office or with employees working from home.

Act Now

If water does find its way into your workplace, contact a professional flood response and cleanup company without delay. This will help ensure efficient restoration.

Know what to do if you have flooding at work. Follow an effective plan.