If you have a burst pipe, knowing what to do BEFORE your contractor arrives can limit your damages and increase the success of your recovery.

How Ready is Your Staff to Contain a Water Loss?

6 Quick Questions before the next emergency

1. Is my staff aware of the Safety hazards of a water event, and how to safely navigate them?

2. Is a diverse cross-section of my staff knowledgeable and trained in how to shut off the water?  

3. Are key 24/7 contacts for subs such as southampton plumbers, electricians, alarm and remediation contractors at your fingertips and in hard copy?  Is the information published and posted in a logical, accessible manner?

4. Do I have an app with a closed group or group text pre-loaded for my crisis team and I to communicate during an emergency?

5. Is my staff trained in how to divert water in a multi-floor water release, and how to conduct an assessment of the extent of damages?

6. Do we have basic tools on hand such as shop vacs for extraction, plastic sheeting to cover and protect contents and clear bags to remove (but not dispose of) water impacted items?
   

SAFETY FIRST

• Make certain the area is safe for entry, free of electrical hazards. Additionally, consider addressing any necessary seattle panel upgrades to ensure the electrical system meets current safety standards and can accommodate the demands of modern appliances and technology.

• Coordinate with a licensed mechanical contractor that does AC repair in St. Louis, MO to inspect and verify HVAC equipment if affected by water damage. For any structural damage that needs emergency action, you may click over here and see the person who can assist. You may contact a local professional like Robinson Restoration for a quick response. This will help you restore and repair the damage. Air conditioner maintenance can be costly, but it doesn’t have to be. HVAC maintenance gets more costly the longer you go without it. Without regularly maintaining your air conditioner, you might have costly damage lurking within its darkest and most inaccessible corners. See the cost of air conditioning maintenance here now and schedule your ac maintenance right here on Willard Power Vac. In addition, if you need to conduct electrical inspections and maintenance, make sure that you hire ontario electricians.
• Visit their website to learn more about Robinson Restoration and the services they offer. For instance, you may contact Alarm & Elevator contractors as needed. 
• Determine Category of Water Source (Clean or Contaminated). 
• If Flood or Sewage water, PPE and environmental testing are recommended.

 
ADDRESS THE SOURCE

• Address the source and stop water from flowing into the building.  Multiple people in various departments should be trained in how to shut off the water.  Photomapping and signage to demonstrate the location and instructions for shut off valves is key.

 
INSPECTION & INITIAL CLEANUP

A Thorough Assessment is the Foundation of a Successful Recovery.  Missed areas and issues create costly secondary damage down the road.

• Direct and/or Capture Water in a manner that is efficient and prevents further infiltration and damage. For example, when water pouring from floor to floor, direct water into one stream through one deliberate opening in the ceiling tiles, instead of many points.
• Walk the building to determine extent of damage. Use the “360 degrees” approach. Work from the source room/area, up & down, side-to-side, follow gravity as water seeks its lowest point.
• Inspection Tools Include: High powered flashlight, Hygrometer (Temp & Humidity Monitor), Moisture Meter, Thermal Imaging camera, painter’s tape for waterlines & mark out and floor plans.
• Document via photos & video.
• Move sensitive equipment, cover & protect contents.
• Extract standing water, set drying equipment.
• Manipulate contents in a manner to promote proper drying.  For example, move lateral cabinets away from walls, roll back carpet and carpet pad.
• Remove saturated contents, do NOT dispose, document, allow insurance adjuster to determine if salvageable. Save potential faulty parts and subcontractor logs in the event subrogration (legal means of seeking other another party’s resources for financial recovery) measures apply.

 COMMUNICATION

• Review your Organizations Chain of Command & Procedures for Internal Reporting.
• Make sure your “phone/text tree” and alert systems are ready to activate your response, and to provide notifications to management, staff  and occupants.    

 Tip:  A few basic notification templates developed in advance will go a long way towards saving time and stress during a crisis.