What To Do When Your Business Floods

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Flooded building in Northwest Las Vegas, NV.

How to Respond to a Flood at Your Business

Flooding in your Northwest Las Vegas, NV, business can cause major problems. However, the sooner you act, the less likely you are to suffer mold growth and other damage.

Flood Dangers
Standing water poses several threats. The major ones are the following:

• Structural damage
• Mold infestation
• Electrical shock
  
  

Some items, such as wood furniture, can be permanently disfigured by water damage. The sooner you begin drying out the items, the better chance you have of salvaging them. Additionally, mold growth can begin within as few as 24 hours, so it is important to dry the affected area as soon as possible. However, do not turn on any appliances or use any outlets that have come into contact with water without first speaking to an electrician. Doing so could be dangerous.

Flood Cleanup
Every water damage scenario is different. For example, water from different sources will have different types and amounts of bacteria present. While it is important to tailor the cleanup process to fit the situation, the following steps outline the basic process:

• Remove standing water.
• Throw away items that cannot be salvaged.
• Dry and sanitize remaining items.
• Repair and replace damaged objects.
  
  

You can use special pumps or vacuums to remove most of the water. Afterward, you can use dehumidifiers or fans to dry out the rest of the water. It is important to remove everything that cannot be fully cleaned and sanitized so that it does not grow mold and contaminate other objects. The contamination level of the flood water and the nature of the wet object determine which cleaning solution you should use, but commercial detergent is fine for many items. After everything is clean and dry, you can begin repairing and replacing water-damaged items.
If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of cleaning up water damage, you can hire a certified restoration company to help you. They can address water damage, mold growth and many other problems.