According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), even one inch of floodwater can result in up to $25,000 in damage. Coupled with the fact that at least 25% of small businesses do not reopen after a disaster, having a flood damage recovery plan is essential. If your business has been impacted by flooding, learn how to rebuild with the help of a professional water damage restoration company.
1. Ensure Safety and Assess Damage
Flooding can expose you and your employees to contaminated water, electrical hazards and other dangers, so the first step in recovery from a flood disaster is ensuring all personnel are safe. Shut off electricity and gas to prevent accidents, and evacuate everyone from the building.
Once local authorities have confirmed it is safe to reenter the facility, evaluate the affected areas and document the damage for your insurance claim. Take extensive photos and videos of damaged or destroyed items, and document the building’s interior and exterior. If it is safe to do so, you can save valuable items if they are away from the flood.
However, do not attempt to clean up the area or salvage any contaminated belongings, as you could destroy crucial evidence and harm your claim. Instead, wait for guidance from your insurance agent.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
Calling your insurance provider quickly will help your claim. Supplement the photos and videos you already took with:
- A complete list with descriptions of damaged or destroyed items.
- Estimated values of damaged or destroyed items.
- Purchase dates of damaged or destroyed items, if you have them.
If you do not have flood insurance, you may be able to receive low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration. However, these loans are only available for businesses in declared disaster areas.
3. Reach out to a Water Damage Restoration Company
Your insurance company might suggest a water damage restoration company to help with flood damage cleanup, or you can find your own. Whichever option you choose, assess the following:
- Level of services: Companies should offer comprehensive services, including evaluation, water extraction, drying and dehumidification, and mold prevention.
- Local reputation: Read online reviews, talk to other business owners and ask the company for references to gauge their standing in the community.
- Licenses and insurance: Businesses that cannot provide proof of licenses and insurance are a red flag.
- Experience: Research how much experience the company and its employees have and whether they hold relevant certifications.
- Customer service: Reliable companies should be responsive and able to help at a moment’s notice. They should also be communicative throughout the process.
4. Remove Water and Prevent Mold
Water damage restoration companies will help return your property to its original state by:
- Inspecting the property: Specialists will determine the water contamination category and water damage class to determine the scope of service needed.
- Extracting water: Industrial vacuums and pumps remove standing water, while portable wet/dry vacuums extract surface water.
- Drying and dehumidifying: Commercial-grade dehumidifiers and heavy-duty fans help dry and dehumidify the area. If the water damage is extensive, this process may take longer than the water extraction process.
- Sanitizing surfaces and preventing mold: Professionals will clean and sanitize surfaces to prevent mold growth. This is especially important because mold resulting from flood damage is covered on a case-by-case basis. For example, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies will not cover moisture, mildew or mold damage that could have been avoided.
5. Repair and Rebuild
Rebuilding after a flood involves:
- Assessing the building’s structural integrity.
- Inspecting and repairing electrical systems.
- Checking plumbing for leaks or damage.
- Repairing walls, floors and ceilings using mold-resistant construction materials.
It’s essential to work with a licensed business for construction after water damage. The restoration company may handle construction and repair work, but hiring a construction firm may be beneficial if you need to address structural issues or extensive damage.
If you go this route, look for construction companies that offer:
- Preconstruction budgeting.
- Design-build services.
- Project management.
Construction companies with access to advanced technology can also improve efficiency throughout the flood damage restoration process, helping you resume business as soon as possible.
6. Get a Final Inspection
Rebuilding after water damage can be a complex process. A professional assessment from a construction inspector ensures all repairs are completed and the building is safe before reopening. They’ll verify the facility adheres to zoning regulations and building codes. You can also do a walk-through with your general contractor or project manager to confirm everything looks good.
How to Improve Your Flood and Disaster Response
With a proactive recovery plan, you can keep business operations moving and get back into your building sooner. Here’s how to improve your company’s flood response:
- Assess your risk: Use FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to understand your area’s flood risk. Remember that floods can happen anywhere, especially as weather patterns become more unpredictable. Even if your business is in a low-risk area, you still want a preparedness plan in place.
- Review your insurance policy: If you have a flood insurance policy, review your coverage limits and deductibles and make updates as needed, such as if your property’s flood risk changes. If you need to purchase a policy, you can do so through the NFIP.
- Mitigate the risk: Safeguard your business by securing off-site backups of data, improving your landscaping and being careful about what you store in your business basement. For example, keeping server rooms elsewhere is a good idea if your business is in a high-risk area.
- Create a disaster recovery plan: Your plan should include establishing evacuation plans and alternate work locations, maintaining communication with employees and customers, activating emergency notification systems, and defining how your business will operate after the flood.
Let Our Professionals Handle Construction After a Flood
Rebuilding and remodeling after water damage requires assistance from qualified professionals. In addition to your insurance provider and a reliable water damage restoration company, a full-service construction firm can help you restore your facility to its former state.
Alta Construction is dedicated to delivering superior customer experiences and forging true partnerships with our clients. When it’s time for the construction phase of flooding recovery, you can rely on us for preconstruction planning, designing, building and project management. We also use advanced software to keep projects running smoothly. For example, Raken allows our team to document their progress from anywhere, while Procore improves communication between the field, the office and the stakeholders.
Learn more about our process, or contact us today for more information about how we can help your business rebound after a flood.
