Water damage might not seem as dangerous as a fire or an electrical malfunction. Nevertheless, 40% of property owners have reported a significant loss following a water damage event. It is the second most common issue when filing for an insurance claim.
Water damage is every property owner’s nightmare. There is nothing quite the horror of waking up to the news that the office is flooded and most equipment is submerged in water. Water can cause extensive damage to any property. Usually, the effects are preventable, but repairs from water damage can be expensive without precautions.
The key to mitigating water damage is immediate extraction. The longer the property sits with water, the more damage it incurs. This article explores water extraction, including significant causes of water damage, best water extraction practices, and the benefits of hiring professionals.
Knowing the enemy is half the battle won. This is true when it comes to preparing and mitigating the chances of water damage in your office space. Familiarizing yourself with common causes of water damage can help you keep track of the aspects of your property that need care and updating:
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There is a level of difficulty involved in maintaining your property’s pipes. For one, it takes an expert to assess the condition of internal piping. Likewise, because most pipes are buried in the interior of the building, they often go unnoticed. That said, damaged pipes are amongst the most common causes of water damage. They are especially common in older buildings that experience extreme shifts in weather.
Bathroom and kitchen sinks can easily clog by dirt, grime, hair, and other materials. Because of the clogs, the pipes can be compromised and eventually burst. Thankfully, when it comes to clogged drains, preventative measures are simple. Pouring boiling water on all sinks at least once a month is all it takes to unclog the drains.
Natural disasters like hurricanes and flash floods can introduce excessive amounts of water to your property. There is very little you can do to prevent these disasters. However, you can safeguard your property in several ways. A Flooding alarm can alert you to the possibility of excessive water. Through the alarm, you can save as much as you can before the disaster sets in. Likewise, if your property sits in a coastal area, purchase additional flooding insurance.
As the name suggests, water extraction is the process of removing excess water from an area. The main goal of this service is to minimize water damage, prevent moisture from setting in, and restore the overall condition of a property. Of course, the process involved in water extraction depends on the cause of the damage. Nevertheless, the first step always entails blocking the source and stopping the inflow of water.
While the goal of water extraction is simple, it is a tough job that requires a level of expertise. In cases of water damage in a commercial property, it is best to leave it to the professionals.
The water extraction process varies from company to company, and from situation to situation. Even if you try to undertake the extraction on your own, which is again ill-advised, it is important to have a certified technician assess the damage first.
Professionals follow a standard water extraction protocol. The steps include:
The first step in any extraction service, water or otherwise, is identifying the source and blocking or repairing the area in question. The extraction process as a whole becomes less complicated when the reason for the flooding is identified.
Before extracting excess water, it is crucial to identify safety hazards that are present within the property. Since errant water is involved, these hazards may include electric wiring and open sockets.
Vacuums and pumps are often the primary tools used to extract water from a property. They come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the degree of damage. Technicians also introduce cleaning agents at this stage to ensure that the area is relatively clean for the next step.
Once the water is extracted, and the property is dry, it is time to sanitize the area. This step is crucial in preventing the build-up of mold and mildew and getting rid of the smell that may have already seeped through the flooring.
To ensure that the property is bone dry, dehumidifiers are often introduced as the last step of the extraction process. Dehumidifiers work by allowing dry air to circulate in a room and rid of excess moisture.
Hiring professionals to extract water from your Hartford County, Connecticut property is an investment. On average, the entire process can cost thousands of dollars from start to finish. Most insurance companies cover water damage, but there might still be out-of-pocket expenses involved in the extraction.
That said, in cases like water damage, certified technicians are worth their weight in gold. Their expertise can help minimize the effects of flooding and salvage equipment that your team can still restore. They are able to accomplish the entire process efficiently and without delay. What would take your team a week can take them only a few hours. Likewise, they have specialized equipment that is necessary for extracting water from your property. Most of the time, you cannot find adequate substitutes for these tools. The cost of hiring professionals as opposed to buying expensive extraction equipment doesn’t even compare.
Water damage isn’t something to gloss over. Water can wreak havoc not only with your equipment but also with your company’s overall operation. The key to minimizing damage is an urgent, professional response.
As they say, prevention is always better than cure. Do not wait until your Fairfield County, Connecticut office experiences flooding. Contact us at Burgos Commercial Cleaning today to explore preventative solutions to water damage!
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