The 3 Essentials of Water-Damage Protection for Your Business

8/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Understanding the Three Essentials of Storm Preparedness

The right amount of water in the right place is life-sustaining. When too much water makes its way to the wrong place, it can endanger lives and property. Weather conditions that cause flooding are a primary contributor to commercial property damage. Understanding the three essentials of storm preparedness may help you avoid costly water damage restoration, due to a severe weather event.

Staff Preparation

Preparing your coworkers may prove essential if rising water becomes a reality. Consider the following measures.

Registering with an emergency notification service

Providing your staff with emergency preparedness training by a water emergency specialist

Posting building evacuation routes

Preparing an emergency kit with first aid, water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, towels, and blankets

Choosing an emergency preparedness team leader

With your staff now prepared, you may want to bring your building into compliance with flood-safe practices.

Building Preparation

A few precautions can help you avoid costly water damage to your facility. Winterizing your irrigation backflow preventer in cold winters can prevent broken pipes. It may be useful to equip your sump pump with a battery backup that can allow the pump to run, even in a power outage. Regular cleaning of gutters and storm drains can prevent flood-favorable conditions from developing near your structure. With your staff and facility prepared, the third area to address is your financial protection.

Insurance Coverage

Because water-related damage can result in the destruction of irreplaceable items, insurance coverage is recommended. If your business is located in a high-risk area, you may have been required to purchase a separate flood insurance policy when you purchased the property. Even if your flood risk is low, you may still benefit from a policy that includes coverage for other common types of water damage, such as roof or pipe leaks.

Because water cleanup is generally a disruptive and costly process, you may ultimately be glad you devoted some time to prepare. Taking care of a few preventive measures could prove well worth the trouble by minimizing the impact on your valuable property and your bottom line.