24/7 Emergency ServiceHelpful flood prevention tips for your commercial property
9/23/2019 (Permalink)
If a flood hits your commercial building, give us a call! We'll make it "Like it never even happened."
Running and owning a business is stressful enough, and the last thing you want to think about is flooding. Thankfully, we’ve provided some tips and tricks to help your business stay clear from flood damage! Keep reading for prevention ideas that can save you time and money!
- Insulate exposed pipes---Michigan winters get COLD, which means there is a chance your pipes could freeze and burst! We don’t want this to happen, so insulate those pipes! The more insulation the better!
- Avoid drastic changes in temperature. Make sure the temp in your business / commercial building doesn’t get lower than 50 degrees. (even when nobody is there!) Low temps = a greater chance of frozen and bursting pipes.
- Survey gutters and drainage---Fallen leaves and other rubble that gets into your gutters can cause water damage to the interior and exterior walls of your building! Regularly check the gutters and drainage system to make sure things are working properly. Remove any build up. It’s also a good idea to get the gutters professionally cleaned. This ensures that water is properly draining away from your building.
- Keep the roof clear---Snow and ice build up on top of your building can cause the roof to weaken resulting in leaks. It can also create ice dams, which prevent water from being drained correctly. Be aware of your roof’s loading capacity, and routinely check to make sure snow and ice build up aren’t surpassing the loading capacity.
- Know where to find the shut off valve---if your pipes burst, you’ll need to move fast. Make sure you know where the main shut off valve is in case this happens! Turning off that valve temporarily stops the water flow to your building which gives you time to fix the problem or call for help.
- Close off any gaps or cracks---sealing all holes, gaps and cracks reduces the risk of cold air coming inside and freezing your pipes. Caulk, weather stripping, and other sealants can be used to make your building more energy efficient and reduce this risk.
- Keep details on valuable items--Know the prices of your important items in case of water damage. This is useful for insurance purposes and for helping you replace items after the event. If there is potential for flooding, move these items off the floor of your business.
- If these tips and tricks aren’t enough to keep your commercial building from flooding, give us a call! SERVPRO is happy to help and ready to make it like it never even happened.
About SERVPRO of NE Grand Rapids:
SERVPRO of NE Grand Rapids specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a storm damage, fire, and smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.