We all know how storms in Florida can be catastrophic. But even so, life has to go on after the rage of Mother Nature. But most importantly, having a bounce-back plan once the storm is over is more comforting. While insurance cover can cushion you from financial losses, you still have cleaning and repair to deal with.
Storm and water damage is common damage that many residents and business owners have to deal with yearly. And every time it occurs, it causes great messes that require significant cleanup and repair. With the right steps on how to clean and repair your building, the process can be less stressful.
Contact Insurance Company
Before you launch the cleanup and repair operation, you must first contact the insurance company. Once you have cleared with them, it’s time for the next step. And that’s contacting the relevant experts to inspect whether your building structural integrity is still intact. Now that you have a go-ahead from these two parties, among other relevant authorities, it’s time for the next step. And that’s cleaning and repair of your building.
Building Repair
- Roof Repair: It’s important to start with the roof to prevent rain or leakages from getting in.
- Carpentry: after the storm, some of the building’s woodwork might be damaged. Therefore fix them first before the next step. In this case, ensure all the doors, and windows, among others, are in great shape.
- Utilities: call professional plumbers to inspect and fix the broken plumbing system. This includes the water lines, gas lines, and sewer lines.
Complete Building Clean Up
A complete clean-up of the house is the last step before you begin using your building. After the storm, debris from outside must be everywhere. Also, pieces of furniture and part of the building are now soaked and need drying and treatment. For proper cleanup, consider hiring a professional and implementing the following after storm cleaning tips:
- Health and safety
Water from the storm can contain harmful pathogens such as bacteria; therefore, you should be vigilant. To avoid contamination, use disinfectant when cleaning all the building surfaces.
- Put on protective clothe
This includes waterproof boots, water-resistant pants, gloves, and a long-sleeved top. When cleaning outdoor, insect repellant and a hat will be helpful.
- Be aware of dangerous creatures
After the storm, it’s not just the debris that might have been washed into your building. Spiders, and snakes, among other animals, might be hiding in your building. Therefore, be cautious during cleaning.
- Inspect Electrical appliances
Before using electrical appliances in the house inspect them thoroughly for water damage. And just to be safe, invite an electrician to help you with this.
- Dry out the building
In this case, avoid procrastination since the longer the water remains in the building, the greater the damage. If the electric appliances are in great shape, turn on the heater to drive out the moisture.
- Determine what you can salvage
To reduce the mess in the building for easy cleaning, identify things you can salvage and set aside. Thereafter, dispose of those that are beyond repair.
Final Take
Cleaning and repair of the building after a storm can be quite stressful and frustrating. Further, depending on the extent of the mess and damage, it can seem impossible. But through partnering with professional clean-up teams, you can restore your building and business in no time.
A commercial cleaning team will help you clean up and disinfect the building making it hospitable. And through their effective tool and treatment, mold growth won’t be a problem to worry about. With that said, reach out to Tidy Team Cleaning Services if you’re looking for professional cleaning after a storm.