When your commercial property is damaged by water, fire, or some other type of disaster, it feels overwhelming, but you have to act immediately. It’s important to bring in a professional team, and you need to have one selected before the disaster happens. What you and they will do within the first 24 hours is critical and will hopefully be the difference between a rapid and successful restoration and a long, unpleasant nightmare.
Water Damage
The first thing you need to do is shut off the main water valve to the property, especially if the water damage is being caused by a plumbing issue. If the water is coming in through the roof, move furniture and other possessions out of the way, set up buckets, and put down towels. Now it’s time to call your restoration team.
Mold starts growing within a day of water damage. To stop it, your restoration team will use pumps and powerful extraction equipment to remove standing water. They will use thermal cameras and moisture meters to detect hidden moisture in drywall, hardwood floors, concrete, and other materials. From there, they’ll rely on industrial-grade extraction tools designed to pull moisture out of dense, absorbent materials. A regular wet-vac will not be sufficient.
Next, they will use powerful air movers and dehumidifiers to further dry the waterlogged areas. Again, regular fans are not enough to get this done. The equipment will be left running for up to five days.
Fire Damage
Once the fire department clears you to return to your property after a fire, the first thing you need to do is secure it. If you don’t, vandals may arrive and make the situation even worse. Next, call your restoration team and stay on-site until they arrive.
The first thing a team will do after a fire is board up windows and do other things to stabilize the property. Then, it’s time for them to start removing the standing water left from putting out the fire. They do this with powerful pumps and extraction equipment. Once the standing water is removed, they’ll move quickly to address soot and smoke damage before it causes lasting harm to surfaces.
Other Considerations
With all types of damage, while your restoration team is doing all of the above, they are also taking pictures of all damaged areas and documenting what is going on. They know how to do this thoroughly and accurately, which helps support your insurance claim and ensures no damage goes undocumented.
If you have a plan ready to go, commercial damage is something you can move past. Preparation is what separates a smooth recovery from a prolonged one. If you don’t have a plan, the first 24 hours can set many destructive forces in motion and cost you even more in the long run. When you need commercial damage restoration services in Canton, MA, contact AirCare Environmental Services.
