24/7 Emergency Service
How to Prevent Costly Damage to Your Business | SERVPRO® of East Lansing/Haslett
6/17/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of East Lansing/Haslett is your local commercial disaster team. Contact us to learn more about our commercial damage restoration services.
Due to their significance in society, it is important to keep local businesses healthy and productive. Between maintaining a positive work environment, training employees and dealing with paperwork, business owners have enough on their plate.
The last thing a business owner wants to worry about is the potential damage natural disasters can cause.
In only the last five years, the amount of damage caused by natural disasters has slowly but steadily increased. On average, the cost of damages has reached over $150 billion per year according to the NCEI.
Flooding and severe storms are common causes of damage in places like Michigan and are expected to happen every year. With 9% of Lansing being floodplains, that area covers over 200 major businesses. When snowstorms occur and the snow melts, flooding is expected to happen.
Below is how to prevent the commonly caused damages when disaster strikes:
Anywhere in the United States, water and flooding can be an issue. But in areas where snowfall is heavy and constant, ice presents a slightly different threat. As the ice melts and turns into water, it can cause severe damage to your commercial property.
When precipitation is heavy, the local rivers can fill up and cause flooding as well. It is important to check the areas around your business that are prone to letting water seep in. One way to reduce these effects is to landscape routes to control the flow of water and direct it away from the building structure.
Additionally, once water does get in, it is imperative to attack it right away. To see where water has affected your building, look for warping and discoloration on your walls, ceilings and even floors. Once wood begins to rot, it can become a very expensive problem in a very quick manner.
Even at a lower intensity, storm damage can shake trees, cause power outages and launch small debris into the air. At a higher level, storm winds can exceed 100 mph and tear trees from the ground.
Storm damage in Michigan is one of the most common causes of natural disaster damage. Recently, a tornado with 140 mph winds tore through Gaylord, devastating the city.
While the damage can be extreme and wretched, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the damage it can cause to your business and your community. Firstly, secure any loose furniture/decorations outside your business. This signage and furniture can become deadly projectiles.
Next, you should check the areas on your exterior to make sure they’re sealed and secure. Doors, windows and roofs should be inspected to reduce the chance they’ll go flying when these storms happen.
Storm-protective window covers can help prevent the damage caused in the event of an emergency.
Whether it’s winter-based flooding or gale-force winds tearing through your area, it’s best to be prepared for anything and everything. Even simple actions of prevention can save money, resources and lives.
In the event that damage does occur, however, we are available 24⁄7, allowing us to promptly respond to any kind of disaster. Our expert team can identify the most beneficial restoration plan and implement it in the correct way.
If you have experienced damage to your business or want to learn more about our commercial damage restoration services, contact us today. We’re here to act fast, 24⁄7.