By Steve Bouzan
Water is a powerful element. While critical to meeting basic human needs, water can also be unpredictable, relentless, and destructive. This becomes alarmingly apparent in the face of a natural disaster such as the recent Hurricane Florence. North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner, Steve Troxler, said in a statement, “This was an unprecedented storm with flooding expected to exceed that from any other storms in recent memory.” Property damage is estimated at $17 billion to $22 billion, according to Moody’s Analytics, making it among the 10 costliest hurricanes. And nearly 40 inches of rain fell over North Carolina as experts predicted an additional 2 to 5 inches of rain expected in the Carolinas and Virginia.
To help facility executives navigate the tricky aftermath of significant water damage, this article outlines 10 best practices for water remediation. These practices should be the basis for water remediation within an overall strategic disaster plan, designed to arm facility managers with the strategies, tactics, and critical information needed to respond to emergencies in a timely manner. In addition to following best practices, it is important for facility managers to familiarize themselves with their flood insurance policy and establish a trusted relationship with the insurance company to efficiently and seamlessly assess water related damage and begin the remediation process.
Based on 30 years of experience, these tips will help expedite the remediation process to ensure the safety and security of all those involved.
Best Practices For Water Remediation
1. The most important factor when faced with water damage is safety. Align yourself with appropriate local resources including fire and police, mechanical contractors, insurance, utility, and restoration companies and alert immediately.
2. Familiarize yourself with water shut-offs for quick access and label accordingly. Swift action is critical to minimize loss, mitigate risk, and protect assets.
3. Electricity presents the greatest danger. Look for water coming through light fixtures or electrical boxes.
4. Immediately shut off the following if affected by water: electrical box, circuit break box, and meter panel. Once the electricity is shut down, cord off the affected area with caution tape.
5. Identify source of water damage. Assess degree of contamination to determine remediation plan. Be aware of associated health effects depending on contamination level to update emergency personnel when they arrive on-site.
6. Identify potential environmental hazards such as lead or asbestos. Prolonged exposure to asbestos and/or lead can cause serious illness and significant health problems.
7. Relocate or protect valuable contents from affected areas including electronics, computers, furniture, artwork, files and documents, clothing, etc.
8. Have basic items on hand such as plastic garbage bags for use in covering items noted above and for the disposal of items, caution tape, duct tape, and basic hand tools.
9. Contain and/or isolate the area(s) of damage to protect staff and on-site emergency personnel. Create plastic barrier around perimeter of contaminated area and cord off with caution tape.
10. Begin mitigation with restoration partner on-site to preserve, secure, and restore your property to good working order.
Whatever the source — natural disaster, leaking pipe, backed up sewer, or broken sprinkler line, water can wreak havoc on your property, putting your most important assets in danger. Having a strategic disaster plan in place, a partnership with a trusted restoration company and familiarity with the flood insurance policy, is paramount to long-term success. Taking the time to review these best practices will help ensure swift action when needed, to get your property in good working order once again.
As the Director of Training and Safety at ARS Restoration Specialists, Bouzan develops and conducts several safety and training programs for both employees and customers throughout the year, with a focus on safety, water and fire mitigation, mold remediation, and bloodborne pathogens. In his role, he is also responsible for creating, updating, and maintaining all of ARS’ safety policies and procedures.
Thank you for your tips on what to do if water floods your home. I found it helpful when you said to know where the water shut-offs. As new homeowners, my husband and I should look into find our water shut-off valves.
My husband and I are new homeowners and we just moved into an area that’s known for flash floods, so I wanted some water damage prevention tips. I didn’t know you should turn off your meter panel if it gets affected by water. I’ll have to keep that in mind to find a restoration service that can come after a harsh storm, thanks to this post!
This is some really good information about water damage. It is good to know that you should try to contain the damage. It seems like you should get a professional to repair the water damage as quickly as possible. That way, mold won’t start growing.
Great content! I am just starting my appreneticeship. but this content really helps to fill in the gaps. You have a new reader, cant wait to read more of your content!
Thanks again!
Thanks for this advice for water remediation. You mentioned it’s important to try to know where the water shut-offs are. I wonder if it would be important for commercial properties to know where this is, especially if it can prevent more damage.
Excellent advice. I really enjoyed browsing your blog post. This is actually a good and useful piece of information. Your blog is very informative. Thanks for sharing this information with us.
My brother noticed that there was mold growing in his basement the other day while decorating for Christmas. When I read that one should relocate or protect valuable contents once one sees signs of water damage, it gave me an idea. I would have a professional help with creating a renovation plan in order to keep mold away from his basement in order to add more years to his house.
I am glad that you said that when a house has been flooded, immediately turn off the electricity in the house and cord them all with caution tape. If my house were to be flooded because of a storm, I will call a service to have it cleaned. Not only will they help identify the home repairs needed but also give a good head start on restoring the damaged house.