When you decide to become a business owner, you take multiple risks. One of the risks that you take on as a business owner is either renting or owning your own space to run your business, and the amount of work required to keep up with maintenance and repairs. As with anything, you may not foresee the problems that can arise when you rent or own an office space or retail store. Things like water lines bursting or flash-floods can happen without warning, and you’ll want to be prepared with safety tips, should your place of business ever have to deal with a flood. Additionally, you’ll want to know who to call for water damage restoration for any damage that results from the flooding. Classic Commercial Services offers 24/7 water restoration services when unforeseen emergencies happen. If you’d like to prepare yourself, as a business owner, for what to do should your place of business flood, keep reading for the tips you need.

Flood Safety Tips for Businesses

What to Do before a Flood

Have a Plan in Place

Whether or not you think you’ll ever have to deal with a flood, it’s important to have a plan in place. Prepare an evacuation route so employees know the safest way to exit your office or store in case of a flood.

Keep Backup Records

If you have paper records of important information, you may want to consider scanning documents that you couldn’t stand to lose into a computer file. As we move further into the 21st century, converting to electronic records is becoming more of the norm, and it’s a much more efficient and secure way to store information.

Designate a Room for Emergency Equipment

Whether it’s the supply closet or a storage cabinet, keep emergency equipment in your store or office. You’ll want supplies such as flashlights, portable radios, and bottles of water. You may also want to keep materials such as sandbags and plastic sheeting that can be utilized to protect property. However, when you place sandbags, don’t place them too close to the walls of your building, as the bags may exert pressure which could result in structural damage.

What to Do during a Flood

• Turn off utilities at the main power switch. You’ll also want to turn off the main gas valve if you’re going to have to evacuate the building. If any electrical equipment has been exposed to water, do not touch it.
• If the water levels are higher than six inches, do not try to walk through moving water as you could easily fall.
• If you have to walk through high water, find something to use for balance and to check the ground in front of you for firmness and debris.
  Call for the help of emergency services if needed.

What to Do after a Flood

• Do not go back into a building if floodwater is still high. Floodwater should be avoided since it can be contaminated with raw sewage, oil, and gasoline.
• Call a company that offers professional water damage services.
• Contact your insurance company.

If your place of business is affected by flooding, call Classic Commercial Services of South Florida for the water damage restoration you need. We offer 24/7 water damage services for emergency situations—regardless of the type of flooding you’re dealing with.