What Are My Options When I Have a Commercial Flood?

11/11/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Emergencies in Grand Island and Hastings can occur at any time of the year. Sometimes, you may find yourself unable to trade until the situation is under control.

Can I get a business rate reduction as a result of flooding?

In some situations where water intrusion is beyond your control, you may reduce your business rates. However, the surest way to limit losses to revenue is to take a proactive approach to restoration by enlisting commercial water removal experts in Grand Island and Hastings. Using a professional service that has experience working on commercial projects can reduce losses as well as providing you with a precise time frame to plan your business activities. Our crew chiefs can inform you of necessary restoration, possible outcomes, and working closely with local insurance adjusters.

Where can I source water displacement pumps to move water out of my premises?

Local hire centers are available to rent displacement pumps temporarily. However, you should ask yourself whether you or your staff are qualified to set up, pump, and dispose of wastewater correctly. Different types of water damage requires different types of equipment. Water with solid waste requires a pump with unique characteristics. Self-priming trash pumps have the necessary lift, volume, and ducts to transport solid wastes. However, it may be illegal to dispose of solid wastes in a regular sewer point, meaning you also need a means of transport to take wastewater to a facility for disposal. SERVPRO has both the equipment and the expertise to remove water from your commercial property following local and state regulations.

What types of water removal equipment are available to SERVPRO technicians, and what are their uses?

• High-pressure pumps provide significant power to transport water uphill and out of the property
• Self-priming trash pumps are capable of passing water with solid waste up to 1.25 inches
• Electric submersible pumps move from 100 to 18,000 gallons per hour
• Weighted extraction tools for removing moisture from thick fabrics or textiles like carpets
• Light wands which are agile enough to reach areas with space restrictions

How can I choose the right extraction tool for water displacement?

Pumping equipment is the most efficient in terms of a gallon per hour (GPH.) Next, extraction tools that are useful once pumping becomes inefficient- usually once standing water drops below two inches. Dehumidification equipment is the least efficient, and we usually reserve it for drying residual moisture or lowering the moisture content of building materials. There are other considerations when choosing your equipment, such as how far water needs transporting to reach your sewer points or storage tanks. A distance of more than twenty-five feet usually requires a high-pressure pump to displace water efficiently.

Does my business insurance cover mold growth?

It is essential to check your insurance policy to be sure of your coverage. Commercial properties usually cover flooding under a separate policy to business insurance. Equally, mold growth is usually only covered if the mold is the direct result of the water intrusion. Crucially, if mold occurs after the event, property managers must prove that appropriate mitigation efforts take place. Our water damage restoration (WRT) technicians can take steps to reduce the likelihood of mold growth. These include maintaining control over relative humidity throughout the service using thermal hygrometers. We can also take precautionary steps to prevent mold growth by applying anti-microbial treatments in the affected area. 

What are the necessary steps to take when there is water intrusion at commercial premises?

• Contact your insurance provider to notify them of the situation
• Reach out to professional restorers as soon as possible- our emergency call-lines are in operation twenty-four hours a day.
• Use local companies to reduce call-out times- we promise to arrive within four hours of notification of loss.
• Wait for crew chiefs to arrive who can communicate closely with both you and your adjuster

When is it safe to reopen my business after a commercial water emergency?

A business is safe to reopen once it returns to a sanitary state. Water can carry microbes into premises, which can cause health and safety concerns. Our team can not only remove the body of water from your property but can also clean, dismantle, and reassemble the affected area. We are using chemical agents that can kill any potential microbial growth, which may include bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Once the property is thoroughly decontaminated and dry, our crew chief can perform a walkthrough. The walkthroughs occur once the restoration is complete, and we can pass on any paperwork to your insurance provider to complete a stress-free claim.

If your business requires emergency water recovery, our commercial teams are available. Contact SERVPRO of Grand Island and Hastings at (308) 535-1115.