Cleaning and Restoring Your Business After a Flood Pt. II

September 7, 2017

Cleaning your business after a flood can be daunting. By approaching the task methodically, you can protect the health of your employees and customers. Use these tips to get your business ready to open its doors after a flood:

1. Tend To Your Floors

After taking care of the structural components, and clearing the contaminated mud from your flooded areas, it’s time to assess the damage to your flooring. In most cases, you’ll want to rip out the carpeting and foam underneath so it doesn’t grow mold. If you have wood sub flooring, you’ll want it to dry out thoroughly before laying new floor material on top. Set up plenty of fans and open windows to let the air circulate and let your wet surfaces dry naturally.

Hardwood floors must dry slowly to prevent cracking. A restoration company may be able to help you expedite drying time.

2. Have Your HVAC Systems Checked

Your HVAC system circulates air throughout your business, so it’s vital to check and have serviced after a flood. This will help ensure that you’re not pushing contaminated air throughout your business, which could pose a threat to your employees and guests.

3. Hire an Electrician

An electrician will have to inspect your flooded areas and make sure your electrical components are dry to prevent fire hazards. Never attempt to fix electrical matters yourself, as this could lead to serious injury.

4. Service Your Appliances, if Necessary

Your business appliances may need servicing if they were under water. In some cases, they may need replacement. Conduct a thorough assessment and determine what needs replacing. Your insurance claims adjuster can help you with this process.

These steps help address the structural components and large areas of your business cleanup operation. In the next article in our series, we’ll discuss how to clean and disinfect your business. Stay tuned!