Commercial Water Damage Cleanup

How to Handle Commercial Water Damage Cleanup

What Is Commercial Water Damage?

Commercial water damage refers to the various negative effects caused by water intrusion in a business. Water damage can occur over time by leaks, or it can happen as the result of a flood or industrial spill. Some other common causes of commercial water damage are:

Faulty sprinkler systems
Malfunctioning or broken equipment
Clogged sewer lines or toilets
A damaged plumbing system

How Can I Tell If I Need a Commercial Water Damage Repair Service?

If your business has suffered flooding, the drywall or other surfaces are showing discoloration, you’ve noticed mold growth, or you’re aware of plumbing issues or leaks, those are all indications to call in a commercial water damage repair service. Sometimes, however, damage may be more subtle or hidden. Perhaps you’ve already cleaned up an isolated spill, or rain got in over the weekend through a cracked window. So, if you suspect, but can’t confirm, that your business has sustained water damage, there are a few things you can do to check for yourself.

Inspect your roof for leaks, listen for the sound of running water when it isn’t in use, and take note of any standing water near your building’s foundation.
Check the interior for mold and mildew. If you or any of your employees have experienced mold exposure symptoms (sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, skin irritation or rash, and difficulty breathing), your business is likely affected by mold — also an indication of water damage.
Use a moisture meter. Even if you’ve thoroughly dried and dehumidified an area, a moisture meter will tell you the moisture content of surfaces themselves, such as wood, drywall, or floors. It will also let you know how far the water damage has spread from the source. If purchasing this tool isn’t convenient or cost-effective, the water restoration professionals at Twin Home Experts will use their own equipment to test this for you when they do an inspection.
In the case of flooding or major water spills, a call to a commercial water damage repair service right away is definitely in order. The longer you wait, the greater the chance of mold growth and further damage to building materials and equipment.

How Can I Treat Commercial Water Damage?

Depending on the severity of the water spill, here are some tips:

Document the damage. Be sure to take pictures. This is important for filing a claim with your insurance company, but the records will be useful in case of similar problems in the future.
Begin the Cleanup Process. If your building was affected by clean water or gray water (water which isn’t clean, but is generally non-toxic, like water from a dishwasher), you can begin some of the cleanup process yourself. Spread a waterproof, plastic sheet in a separate, non-affected room so you have a place to clean and dry water-damaged furniture and other salvageable items. This room will also need to be sealed off and a dehumidifier should be installed inside to help pull the moisture from materials. Any non-salvageable items from the water-damaged rooms should be bagged and thrown away.
Call the Experts. At this point, a water restoration company like Twin Home Experts should be brought in to make a full assessment of the damage and line up the best plan of action for remediation. They’ll pull the remaining water from the affected rooms with commercial wet vacs and dehumidifiers and keep track of the humidity with a thermo-hygrometer. If walls, floors, drywall, or plumbing needs to be replaced, they’ll do so, ensuring any broken pipes are fixed.
Keep You and Your Employees Safe. In the case of black water damage from act-of-nature flooding or sewage overflow, it’s inadvisable for you and your employees to try to handle any part of it on your own. Since this water is highly contaminated, professional water damage technicians wear layers of special, personal protective equipment that meets OSHA guidelines. Twin Home Experts will remove hazardous substances and dispose of them according to EPA regulations, pump excess water from the building, sanitize the area, and replace contaminated building materials. They’ll clean and restore any salvageable furniture or equipment.

Why Call Twin Home Experts for Commercial Water Damage Cleanup?

As a top-rated water restoration company in the Van Nuys, California area, Twin Home Experts has the licensing and professional training to treat water damage in commercial buildings. While each situation is unique, in our three decades of experience, we’ve seen everything, and there’s nothing we can’t handle. We’re proud to be your go-to in commercial water damage cleanup, knowing we’ll have you back in business in no time! Give us a call today.