What to Do After Your Business Has Suffered Storm Damage?

11/24/2019 (Permalink)

What to Do After Your Business Has Suffered Storm Damage?

Storm damage to a commercial property can be devastating to a business. Not only can storm damage from the water and wind cause extensive property damage, but it can also shut down a business until the damage can be cleaned and the property restored. The longer a business is shut down, the more money that is lost from no customers and no business. Ultimately, extensive storm damage can drive a business out of business.

In this blog, we will go over some of the steps to take to reduce the downtime and get your business back up and running after suffering storm damage. 

Damages From Commercial Storm Damage

A business can be damaged in many ways from a storm. The most common type of damage to businesses from storms is usually water damage from flooding. This can be flooding from a nearby river or stream or just flooding from improper drainage around the property. With water damage, it is imperative that you contact a commercial storm restoration company immediately to reduce the risk of further water damage and possible mold damage. 

The next most common damage that businesses suffer from is wind damage during a storm. This can be high straight-line winds that can tear off shingles or blow water into cracks. Or it can be as the result of a tornado, with a direct hit usually creating the most damage. High winds and tornadoes can tear off roofs, collapse walls, break windows, blow down power lines, and push water through breaches of the business’s exterior. Wind damage will usually lead to water damage which can lead to mold damage resulting in extensive damage that requires a lot of work to clean up and restore everything.

Assess and Confirm the Damage

Before calling the insurance company and commercial restoration company, take the time to walk around and through your business to assess the damage. If the property is unsafe, then skip this step. You want to get a good idea of how much damage and what type of damage your business has suffered, so you can give the commercial restoration company a clear picture of what they should expect. This will help the commercial restoration company deploy the right equipment and the right people to the disaster and be able to handle it much faster. 

Once on the site, the commercial restoration company will do their own assessment to determine what steps to take to clean up the damage and restore your business. These experts will know where to look for potential hidden damage from the water and wind. They will have the right tools to test for moisture in the walls and ceilings. 

Contact the Commercial Restoration Company as Soon as Possible

Once you’ve done a quick walk around and assessment, it’s important to not waste time in contacting a commercial restoration company, like SERVPRO of Indianapolis West. Time is not on your side in the money lost to downtime and the further damage, like mold damage, that could occur if not treated immediately. SERVPRO of Indianapolis West recognizes the importance of acting quickly when storm damage has occurred. That is why they are available 24/7 and can be at your business and cleaning up the damage as soon as possible. 

Keep Records and Photos of the Damage

It’s recommended to take plenty of photos and keep records of all the damages both to the business property and the contents of the business property. These records will help make working with your insurance company go more smoothly as you seek help from your insurance company. If you do throw out any damaged items, you may want to rent an extra dumpster and keep the thrown out items on the property until the insurance company has settled your claim. 

Trust the Commercial Damage Restoration Experts at SERVPRO of Indianapolis West

Dealing with commercial property damage from storms and fires can be a frustrating and stressful time for business owners. Not only do you have to deal with the damage to the property but also downtime due to your workers not being able to work. At SERVPRO of Indianapolis West, we can help make the process of getting back to work as smooth and painless as possible. SERVPRO of Indianapolis West has years of experience dealing with commercial property damage of all shapes and all sizes. We understand the importance of businesses being able to get back to work quickly, which is why we’ll work our hardest to ensure you can do just that. Contact them the next time a storm or fire or water damages your business.