Commercial Mitigation: What to Know About Water Damage

Whether you are dealing with flooding or a busted pipe, water incidents are a disheartening and stressful experience for any business owner. Preventing further damage is known as water mitigation, which requires using strict actions or measures to decrease the level of impact caused by the water.

Restoration Network is your local restoration expert, and we are here with a few things to know about water damage and how to begin the clean-up process.

Causes of Water Damage

Water damage occurs for multiple reasons and can occur at any time due to the following:

●        Natural disasters

●        Roof damage

●        Broken water supply lines

●        Frozen pipes

Water damage also has different categories to assess the level of damage from level 1 with clean water to level 3 with black water from sewage or unsanitary sources. Each category requires different clean-up levels, so locating where the water came from is critical.

The Water Mitigation Steps

Successful mitigation means decreasing the damages, and preparation is required. Clean-up includes the following:

Step 1. Finding the Water Source

If the leak is apparent, shutoff valves are generally inside cabinets or under a sink. However, if it's unclear, turn the water off at the meter, typically found near the street under an iron lid.

Step 2. Remove the Water

A sump pump is the quickest method to get standing water out of your building, and if you have an industrial-sized dehumidifier, get it set up immediately.

Step 3. Contact Your Insurance Company

The next step is to call your insurance company, and if you have coverage in place, they will expect you to:

●        Shut off the water

●        Dry out the space

●        Cover any roof leaks

●        Call a water mitigation company

While every policy is different, they will generally only cover the damage if the water was discharged suddenly, storm-related, accidental overflow, or backup from a sewer.

Step 4. Clean-Up Process

Preparing for the mitigation equipment may require the removal of areas of the building, including flooring, drywall, baseboards, and ceiling portions depending on the extent of the damage.

Some floorboards may also have to be removed to help with airflow maximization, and once the area has been prepared, the equipment can be brought in. From there, a standard clean-up process typically consists of all of the following:

●        Industrial dehumidifiers remove excess humidity and moisture.

●        Air scrubbers help filter contaminants like mildew or mold spores.

●        High-velocity air movers and dryers to remove moisture from harder-to-reach areas.

●        Thermal imaging cameras help assess if the water is drying and how it's progressing.

●        Atmospheric readers for relative humidity and temperature.

Once all the equipment is placed, it will be time to dry out the area, and the meters listed above will help guide the process to see if any other surfaces need more work. Additionally, because harmful organisms can grow in space if left untreated, it is recommended to spray an antimicrobial agent to help ensure a thorough restoration.

Restoration Network: Your Water Mitigation and Restoration Experts

Water restoration can be a time-consuming and stressful experience, so it's recommended to work with an expert to help make the process easier, and Restoration Network is here to help! No matter the size of the project, we believe in providing trustworthy and honest services, from soot clean-up to fire damage repair in Minnesota.

Our team is here with 24/7 emergency services, so message us online or call us at 612-564-0202 today.