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Business owners may not think about floods and sewer water getting into their establishments, but these things happen. It’s one of the more expensive and frequent claims in the insurance industry, and things can be messy.
Fortunately, after you’ve filed a claim, you still have a chance to restore the floors, ceilings, and walls to bring them back to their previous state. It’s now possible with the help of commercial water damage restoration Cincinnati, Ohio specialists that will look into the property and do everything they can to get everything back up and running.
Spotting Water Damage in Your Property
Others may find visible signs of puddles, floods, and standing water after they arrive at the scene, and unless the leaks have been sealed, they will continue to pose the same issues in the future. Allowing the water to seep in continuously will promote the growth of mold, and mildew. You’ll also find the dirty water to be home to a host of bacteria and viruses that can cause diseases.
Damaged windows may also need repairs, as well as leaking pipes. It’s common for the latter to suddenly burst, especially if there’s too much pressure. It can start as a hairpin leak, but things can go worse from here.
What the Experts Will Do
1. Conduct a Thorough Inspection
Professional restoration consultants will first make sure that the entire place is safe and remove any electrical hazards from the water. Fuse boxes will be turned off as well as the entire HVAC system. They’re going to place warning signs on the door if there are outlets and electrical panels that can cause electrocution. A damaged breaker might not be unable to trip, so they expect that there’s still live electricity coming through the wires.
The walls and ceilings are also going to be inspected to see if there’s a possibility of them caving in. If you’re unsure about the home, you should stay away from it and let the experts do the moisture assessment and inspect everything to be on the safe side. See more about evaluating moisture through devices on this site here.
2. Stop the Leaks and Water Sources
Expect them to seal burst pipes, holes, and broken valves in commercial places so they can start the disinfection. Separate faucets and water pipelines are common in many commercial areas, so they are not shutting down an entire building’s water supply. They will just handle those that are in problematic areas, and if you’re unsure about the basements and attics, call the facility manager or building engineer for the blueprints.
Roofs that were blown by strong winds may be replaced temporarily by tarps to stop the water from coming in. Various companies will have a solution for different problems, so you should count on them for help.
3. Responsible for Documentation
Restoration companies can help you with insurance claims, and they will take photos and videos to make it easier for commercial property owners. Adding notes and taking notes of where the standing water is will make it easier for the adjusters to justify the reimbursement. When demolition is needed, a clear-cut picture showing everything was soaked with sewage and rainwater can serve as proof to the owners and developers.
4. Removing the Water and Moisture
Liquid water is easier to remove with towels, mops, vacs, and squeegees. Other companies will have dehumidifiers and other powerful extraction tools that can start the process of moisture removal in a building in Ohio. This takes place within 48 hours to prevent the growth of mold and other harmful bacteria and viruses. While some owners have the instinct to turn on their fans to speed up the drying process, this may not be helpful at all.
With the air circulating through a lot of rooms, this can lead to a hundred percent relative humidity and dew point. It’s also achieved when trying the HVAC, and when the condensation starts to happen, the ceilings or walls may start “sweating,” and it can cause more damage to the other unaffected areas. With the professionals, you’ll have a guarantee that they know more about the dew point, current humidity, and temperature to prevent additional issues from occurring.
5. Inspection of the Damaged Areas
Moisture maps will be drawn, and there will be thermo-hygrometers that will measure the relative humidity in a specific room. Searching for that hidden moisture and pinpointing them is part of the process. This can be done with the help of thermal cameras that you can find out more about at this link here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_imaging_camera.
After determining these problem areas, a mitigation plan will be developed, and starting the set-up of fans and air movers may be first on the list. Determining the drying goal, the type of dehumidification that needs to be achieved, and the estimated timeframe are also going to be the professionals’ jobs.
Estimated costs are discussed at the beginning of the project, and a chain of billing can be expected. Customers in Cincinnati, Ohio, should understand what the experts will do and the reason behind the costs. This way, they can prevent miscommunication and miscalculations later on.
