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The word flooding strikes fear in every business owner. Thousands and thousands of pounds of investment is poured into commercial businesses every year, from high-tech equipment, through to quality stock, which can be damaged by a flood in minutes. Whether it is a car sales garage, food manufacturing site, or local village hall, a flood can have devastating effects.
According to the British Red Cross, the risk of flooding is growing in England and Wales. Climate change and less green space are causing floods and extreme weather events are 4 times more likely than 50 years ago. Not only do businesses have to contend with mother nature, they also need to understand the internal risks associated with flooding, for example, blocked drains and burst water pipes.
If you have a commercial business, preventing a commercial flood is step one, however, if it is too late, follow our steps below:
If your commercial flood has occurred due to an internal leak, for example a burst water pipe, then you should turn off water supply to the property immediately to avoid further water ingress. If your commercial flood is due to natural causes such as heavy rainfall causing outdoor water levels to rise, you should close all windows and doors as soon as possible. If you have access to water-blocking materials such as sandbags, place these around the entrances to your building to reduce the amount of additional water getting into your property.
If it is possible to move valuable contents that have gone undamaged to a safer place and it is safe for you to do so, then it is recommended to do this as soon as possible. Paperwork, electrical equipment and furniture can all fall foul of water damage, so salvaging these items can help with the overall water damage restoration process.
It is impossible to clean up after a commercial flood alone. The help of a specialist commercial flood clean-up company is invaluable to the restoration of your business. At CPL t/a Rainbow Restoration, we have extensive experience working with commercial businesses across London, Kent, Sussex and Surrey, restoring their businesses after the devastating effects of a flood. Recently we were called to the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge following a burst hot water pipe that was left for 7 hours before being discovered. We were able to attend within 24 hours.
Commercial flood experts have hands-on experience cleaning up and restoring businesses after a flood. We follow a stringent procedure that aims to restore as much of the building and contents as possible, avoiding the often-unnecessary expense associated with complete strip-outs.
The first step is to remove the flood water from the property. The quicker this can be done, the better the outcome will be for your business. Standing water can easily damage walls, floors, ceilings and other substrates beyond repair, removing the water within a few hours of the flood will give you the best chance for complete restoration.
Even if a building looks dry, water can seep into hidden cracks and crevices in floorboards and walls which can be extremely difficult to dry efficiently without professional drying equipment. Additionally, moisture can remain and if left untreated, can result in mould and damp further down the line. By using professional building drying equipment, your chosen commercial flood specialist will be able to ensure all areas of the premises are dry.
Flood water can contain contaminants, such as debris or sewage. Once your commercial property is dry, a commercial deep clean is essential to ensure you are bringing your employees, customers and visitors back to a contaminant-free environment. Disinfecting floors, walls and furniture is crucial, while removing items that have been damaged beyond repair may be required. Soft furnishings, carpets and rugs can be difficult to restore. If they need to be discarded, ensure you document everything photographically and on paper to show to your insurance company.
Our emergency team are on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure your property has the best chance of being restored following water damage. We understand that time is money and will work endlessly to ensure your business is up and running at full capacity as soon as possible. We always aim to minimise disruption and work around your business and timetable to avoid closure and reduce unnecessary downtime wherever possible. You can trust us to put your business first.
If your premises has been affected by a commercial flood, call CPL t/a Rainbow Restoration today on 0800 030 4360.