WHY YOU NEED TO ACT FAST WHEN WATER DAMAGE OCCURS

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

Even the smallest of leaks can result in a flood if left unattended, so it’s important to catch water leaks in your home or business and react immediately so that the damage doesn’t get worse. 

Leaking pipes and a constantly running toilet are often the expensive culprits of water damage. Finding them sooner rather than later will be key in avoiding long term issues. If you find a leak, it’s important to act quickly to stop the spread of water and limit the damage. Mold begins to grow within 24 hours of exposure to excess water, so it’s vital to have a water damage cleanup plan in place for your company.

• Turn off the water to the affected area immediately. This keeps the situation from getting worse while waiting for the problem to be repaired. Turn off the water to just the affected fixture if possible, or the entire building if necessary. 
• Call a licensed plumber. There are many who have 24-hour response numbers, and this may be a good one to have programmed into your cell phone’s contacts list.
• Move files, computer equipment, and other important assets to higher ground. It’s suggested that records should be stored electronically, with copies stored off site, in the cloud or in two different physical locations. If you’re concerned about cloud storage being hacked, there are personal cloud storage options available.
• Develop a contingency plan for staff workplaces in case the office is unusable for a few days. Options include working out of rented office space or telecommuting. This is useful in the event of any kind of disaster. 

In the event of water damages of any kind, you need to act fast to remediate the issues. Water damage can ruin all kinds of materials, and your premises will suffer from deterioration and unpleasant odors. Remember, too, that once a mold colony gets established, it can never be completely removed, so it’s best to clean up the conditions it enjoys. Any damp area needs to be dried completely before 48 hours has passed, to make sure mold doesn’t gain a foothold. If you do experience water damage and its accompanying issues, you can call us here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville for help.