Responding to a Flood at Your Business | SERVPRO of Downtown Las Vegas
5/21/2024 (Permalink)
![flooding interior](/FranchiseContent/NewsPhotos/10005-cd9a0077-66fb-422e-a22a-cd010be672ce.jpeg)
Flood situations can occur due to natural disasters or from an accident that happens at your property. Either way, they can cause significant damage in a short amount of time, leaving you with a watery mess and a lot of questions about next steps.
No matter how the water got into your business, knowing what to do before, during and after a flood can help you recover faster and stay in control of your entire situation.
Responding to a Flash Flood
If the forecast is calling for heavy rain, start getting your space ready by checking your gutter system and by pulling any patio furniture, signs or other outdoor equipment into your back room.
Consider temporarily closing up shop while the rain falls, as flooding situations can easily become dangerous for patrons that are out and about or walking around downtown. Stay away from doors and windows, and remain calm if water does start flowing into your business. It will eventually stop when the storm passes on.
Responding to a Manmade Disaster
If the situation appears to be an accident like a burst pipe or broken water line, a quick reaction is crucial for everyone’s safety. Locate the main water valve that is controlling the flood of water and shut it off.
Stopping the flow can help stop the situation from getting worse. Depending on where the flood occurred in your building, you may need to work on evacuating anyone in the general vicinity.
Flood water should always be treated with respect and you should keep your distance. Different pipes are in charge of different types of water, and it can be hard to tell what type of water is now flowing onto your floor. Clean water, gray water and even black water could be pouring out, and so exercising caution and avoiding walking through it is always a good idea.
What to Do Afterward
Move carefully around your business once the water stops flowing in. Hidden damage like loose nails, soggy walls and debris lurking under the water can quickly become dangerous situations if you aren’t careful.
You should also try to take as many photos as possible. Getting fresh images of the damage can help make the claims process much easier for your insurance company, and they give us a good indication of where to start when coming up with your restoration plan.
Then it’s time to call us! Our team will focus on getting your property back to normal as fast as we can. We will remove excess water, address repairs and tend to any cleaning needs that you may have.
Our goal is to help you overcome flood damage, but also to help you avoid long-term structural issues and mold growth. We will get you back open for business in no time at all!
Flooding situations can be overwhelming for any business owner. Call SERVPRO of Downtown Las Vegas today