24/7 Emergency Service
Stay Aware of the Weather to Help Avoid Water Damage to Your Business or Home
4/15/2020 (Permalink)
When a winter storm or unusually cold temperatures strikes your home or business, widespread damage can be expected. Among the worst type of damage is water damage, which can take a few forms, including
- Water and ice damage from clogged gutters
- Frozen outdoor hoses causing burst valves
- A pipe break in exposed plumbing
Businesses Should Clean the Gutters Just Like a Homeowner
Even if you rent the building you occupy, the gutters need to be regularly cleaned. Leaves and debris can cause ice dams during a winter storm, leading to serious water damage. It can force water under eaves and destroy a roof.
Once water gets into unprotected areas, it can cause tons of havoc inside. Plus, mold can grow from wet building materials, and if it gets bad enough, your operations might be shut down while it’s cleaned up. Gutter guards can also help prevent ice dams.
Rubber Hoses Can Cause a Plumbing Disaster
If your business uses hoses outside for cleanup or landscaping maintenance, make sure they are taken in if the weather is supposed to drop below 30 degrees. The water valve can take short excursions below freezing, but not long ones. If you expect a deep freeze, protect the valve with an outdoor foam faucet cover.
Exposed Plumbing Suffers During Unusual Cold
Virtually every winter in California comes with a prolonged cold wave that will cause burst pipes for many businesses. They tend to be more susceptible to a pipe break, possibly because landlords don’t take great care to protect your assets, but also because employees don’t either. If a winter storm happens late at night, it might not be caught for hours, causing massive destruction.
Once it gets this serious, you’ll need an experienced local storm damage cleanup company to evaluate your immediate needs and stop further damage.
Top restoration companies will assign you a personal representative to help review your insurance coverage and, if it’s a major event, help determine if you are eligible for disaster assistance.