When your business becomes flooded, it can take weeks, even months, to dry out and get back to normal. Our team at All American will be there as soon as possible to clean up and restore the building, but in the meantime, here are some tips to follow when large amounts of water enter your commercial space:
1. Remove excess water
The first step in drying out a commercial building is to remove excess water.
You should use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up as much of the standing water as possible. If there are large sections of carpet that have been soaked through, you can use towels or mops to soak it up for easy disposal later on. There are also special absorbents that can be used for this purpose—they’re called “super-absorbents” and work by absorbing 100 times their weight in liquid! These super-absorbents can be purchased at hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s.
Next, you’ll want to remove as much liquid from your walls as possible. You can do this by removing any wallpaper as it acts like a sealant for the water, then setting up fans to help circulate the air. When you call All American Water Restoration, we bring fans to dry out your business. Mold can grow quickly in a water damaged business, so start the drying process as soon as possible.
2. Remove wet cushions and upholstery
The second step is to remove wet cushions and upholstery. Removing these and placing them outside or in front of a fan will help to keep mold out of your building and hopefully prevent it from growing entirely. If you have furniture or decorations, remove them as well.
Remove any wet materials or belongings out of the affected area. Everything needs to be completely dry before placing it back where it belongs.
3. Turn the air conditioner on
During the summer months, turning the air conditioner on can help speed up the drying process. During the winter, the warm air from your heater can help dry everything out. The air conditioner and heater help circulate the air on the property. The circulating air helps dry things quicker than if you were to do nothing.
4. Do not use any electrical equipment
If you have a major water loss, there is a chance that your electrical outlets and electronics took on water damage. Water and electricity do not mix well. Avoid using electronics such as TV’s and desktop computers in the areas that were affected. Do not plug anything into the walls of a water damaged building.
Be aware that if you have a generator and use it indoors in a flood zone, there are requirements for where it must be placed and how it must be operated. Call an electrician if you aren’t sure what is safe and what to avoid.
5. Remove books, magazines and other loose items from the floor
Removing books, magazines and other loose items from the floor is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent mold growth! It can also pave the way and declutter the area for the professionals coming into your business to mitigate and restore.
Removing rugs or any other loose items that might be on the floor is also key in the process. Mold needs moisture to grow, so removing rugs will help dry out your commercial building faster than leaving them in place. It’s also a good idea to remove any loose wall hangings like posters or paintings that might have gotten wet. Be on the lookout for loose ceiling tiles which could fall down if they’re not secured properly after the damages.
The most important thing to do after a commercial water loss is to take action quickly. Without doing anything to help, your commercial building will take too long to dry out, leading to mold growth. You’ll need to make sure that you’re taking all of the above steps as soon as possible to prevent secondary or worsening damage.
When your business becomes flooded, it can take weeks, even months, to dry out and get back to normal. Our team at All American will be there as soon as possible to clean up and restore the building, but in the meantime, here are some tips to follow when large amounts of water enter your commercial space.