Tips for Preventing Storm Damage
9/11/2020 (Permalink)
Prevention Measures To Take Storm Season Begins
While extreme weather events are easy to forget about during calmer seasons, it is important to remember that your Garfield, MN, property may be at risk for flood damage once storm season begins. Simple damage prevention measures and, when necessary, more intensive modifications to your building can save your business if things go awry.
1. Build Barriers Around Low Areas
Sometimes, the majority of a structure is relatively safe from storm damage while certain low areas suffer repeated, disproportionate water infiltration. If this has been your experience, it may be prudent to build waterproof barriers or drainage systems around your building.
2. Flood-Proof
It is a necessity for any property owner to have a working sump pump system to remove water that has seeped into a building during a storm. It is similarly crucial that gutters, roofing, and any other water-carrying surfaces be regularly checked for leaks or failures.
3. Raise Belongings
By the time a storm hits your office or commercial property, you should be confident that valuable small items and electronics are safe from flood damage. By moving them to a higher area, you are potentially saving yourself thousands on replaced equipment at the cost of a little time and effort.
4. Move or Build on Higher Ground
Some geographic regions are simply not meant to host vulnerable structures because they are prone to flooding or exist in the path of frequent and intense storms. If you believe that your property is located in such an area, you should carefully consider the potential costs and benefits of relocating. In some cases, a compromise, such as elevating the structure, is a cost-effective solution.
If your property has already suffered flood damage after a storm, you are probably focused on restoring it to pre-storm condition. Although the basic process of drying and dehumidifying affected spaces can be attempted alone, contacting a water restoration professional is the best way to ensure your building doesn't develop secondary damage caused by mold and decay.