How to Treat Water Damaged Items in Your Commercial Building

3/8/2021 (Permalink)

Documents damaged by water

Many Objects Can Be Salvaged If They Are Treated Properly

Many problems can come with a flooded company building. Whether the water has come from a broken appliance, burst pipe, or storm in San Ysidro, CA, the excessive moisture can affect both your building and the items in it. Luckily, many objects can be salvaged if they are treated properly within a reasonable amount of time.

1. Objects With Hard Surfaces
Items with hard surfaces will be the easiest to treat. Most often, these will only need to be wiped down and dried. If the flooded company building is the result of flooding during a storm, these items will also need to be sanitized to remove any bacteria or contaminants present in the water.

2. Upholstered or Fabric Items
Because they are more absorbent, items such as rugs, cushions, curtains and upholstered furniture that are made with fabric can be more difficult to thoroughly clean. If the water damage was closer to the surface, dry cleaning might be enough to return the items to an acceptable condition. If there is mold or contaminated water present, some property may need to be thrown out and replaced.

3. Paper Documents
You might assume that paper items such as important documents or artwork will be completely ruined if they have water damage. This is not always the case. Professional cleanup and restoration companies often have access to equipment that can sanitize and dry these items.

4. Electronics
If there are electronics in your flooded company building, these will need to be handled with care. Turning these devices on before they are completely dry can result in permanent damage. Depending on the type of water involved, some items might be fine after they are drained. Others will need to be inspected, cleaned, and repaired by a professional.
A broken pipe, severe storm or another emergency can be frustrating on its own. Add in damage to your property, and the situation becomes even more stressful. The good news is that most items can be saved as long as you take the right steps.