Preventing Storm Damage to Your Office Building

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

Winter weather brings with it a lot of condensation, whether it be rain, snow, or ice, and all that water can be devastating to a commercial building, causing damage that can take a significant amount of time and expense to repair. There are several steps you can take to prepare your office building for the rainy season and any possible flooding; preventive measures will reduce the amount of flood damage your business sustains and the time it can take to bring your operations back to normal.

• GUTTERS: Well-maintained gutter systems are much better at diverting water to proper drainage areas. If your gutters are clogged with dead leaves and debris, rainwater can overflow and saturate the ground around the foundations causing damage there while backed-up water can spill into wall structures. A regular cleaning schedule for your gutters is a good idea. Remember: it only takes 24-48 hours for mold to begin to establish a colony if damp conditions persist.
• STORM DRAINS: Storm drains need to be maintained properly, as well. These are in place to move excess water away from buildings and parking areas. Your local government is usually responsible for this, but keeping an eye on them around your property will allow you to be able to report a problem right away and to be ready for storm waters.
• RESPONSE PLAN: Have a plan ready for your staff and tenants. In the event of flooding, make sure you have a system in place to communicate with everyone so that employees know whether to come into work or not. No one should brave driving through flood waters! Listening to weather updates is a good idea, and you’ll want to make sure you keep an emergency preparedness kit on site.

SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville is standing ready to help if your office building sustains storm damage. Responding quickly to any problems your business has sustained can get you back to work right away.