Commercial Water Damage Restoration: What Is It & How Does It Work?

All water damage restoration includes the steps necessary to limit the damage caused by a water incident. The end goal of water damage restoration is to return the property to its pre-incident state. 

Commercial water damage restoration involves making any and all necessary repairs and replacements to water affected items. Repairs may include structural, electrical, or restorative such as treating waterlogged items to bring them back to their original state. 

Water can be especially pervasive to surfaces, walls, and floors; and it must be removed as quickly as possible. Water damage is the precursor to mold growth, which is not only structurally dangerous, but threatens the health of the building’s occupants and visitors. For these reasons, water damage restoration must be undertaken quickly to preserve the building and protect the public’s health. HRS Restoration Services has been providing expert water damage restoration in Denver for two decades. Our customers love our rapid response and 24/7 availability, as shown in our reviews. We know how important it is to keep your commercial property up and running. 

To ensure our team stays up to date with the latest advancements in cleaning and restoration, we follow IICRC standards and complete regular training. For commercial water extraction and mitigation in Denver, one call to HRS is all you need to make.  Call today to schedule an appointment or obtain more information about commercial water removal and commercial water damage clean up. 

What Is Water Damage Restoration?

Water damage restoration begins once the mitigation process is complete and your property is mostly dry. 

Water damage restoration includes the removal of affected items, any repairs to the structure, landscaping, interior, plumbing and electrical systems. 

Water damage restoration also includes repairing electronics and furniture that may have become water saturated. 

The timeline for water damage restoration will depend on the extent of the water damage and how much time has passed between the water incident and when a professional restorer or business owner is able to begin restoration. 

Causes Of Commercial Water Damage

The causes of commercial water damage may be accidental or they could be the result of Mother Nature. If you have sprinklers on or inside your property that malfunction, excess water may end up inside your business. Or, perhaps a storm event produces more rain than your drains can handle, and what doesn’t drain ends up flooding your property. 

Water damage can also be caused by burst or broken pipes, an improperly working HVAC system, damaged or older window seals, or storm damage to your roof. 

In any or all of these events you may experience water damage inside your commercial building. Finally, other common causes of water damage include sewage clogs, overflowing fixtures, and leaky appliances. 

Sprinklers

Wet walls and carpets, a moldy or musty smell, or any standing water on site can all be signs that your sprinklers are not working correctly. Inspect your sprinkler system, or ask a professional to spot potential leaks. Doing so regularly could help prevent expensive damage later.

Storm Flooding

Intense storms are becoming more common. With more intense storms comes increased rain and wind. If your drains and pipes were designed thirty, forty, or fifty years ago, they may not be able to handle today’s more powerful storms.

Additionally, structures that were designed for certain wind speeds, as well as city sewer lines built many decades ago, will have a hard time keeping up with the storms of today. 

Burst Or Broken Pipes

Changes in pressure, deteriorated water supply lines or sewer drains, and cold weather can easily burst pipes. Signs of a burst or broken pipe include bulging walls, water stains on walls or floors, cracked or loose tiles, and a musty smell. The leak could be behind walls or below floors where you can’t readily see, but professional water leak detection equipment can pinpoint where the problem is. 

HVAC

HVAC systems heat or cool air through a series of ducts, but over time, these ducts wear out and get damaged resulting in leaks. The HVAC system needs to be cleaned regularly, and excess water from condensation reservoirs should be removed as a preventive measure. If these steps are not done, your HVAC system could become a source of water damage. 

Damaged Roof

During heavy winds, hard rain, or heavy snowfall, your roof  is subjected to a great deal of stress.  Heavy branches and downed trees may also cause structural damage to your roof, which may not be noticed right away. 

However, a damaged roof may not be all Mother Nature’s fault. Damaged roofs can result from improper maintenance or missing shingles. Regardless of the cause, a damaged roof can allow water to leak in. Beyond water damage, a damaged roof will also open your home up to mold and mildew growth. 

Damaged Window Seals

Another common cause of commercial water damage is due to failing window seals. The seal may have lost its suction when, after enough time passes, the glass expands putting pressure on the seal due to fluctuating temperatures. This process, known as “solar pumping,” causes repeated expansion and contraction of the window and the result is a failed seal. 

Regularly inspect the windows of your commercial property, or hire a trusted professional to provide this important service. Damaged window seals may be able to be re-caulked, but if they’re too badly damaged they should be replaced. 

Sewage Clogs

If you hear gurgling sounds or see water backing up out of your drains or toilets, you may have a sewer clog. Due to the presence of E. coli and other harmful pathogens, avoid coming into contact with sewage without the proper personal protective equipment. Clogged sewer lines and sewage backup into your commercial property can create a particularly hazardous situation for your building’s occupants. 

Overflowing Fixtures / Leaky Appliances

Your commercial building houses appliances, water heaters, air conditioning units, commercial equipment, sinks and drains. If any of these appliances or fixtures leak or overflow you will experience water damage. One way to prevent water damage caused by appliances or fixtures is by conducting regular inspections. 

Dangers Of Water Damage

When you have a water incident in your commercial property, the damage may not be as easy as sopping up the water and waiting for things to dry out. Water damage leads to mold growth, electrical damage, and even structural damage. Water is especially destructive if allowed to saturate porous surfaces. 

If there is a sewer main break or sewage backs up into your property, you risk exposure to harmful bacteria and E. coli. A water incident could pose a threat to your property and your health causing damage far beyond costly repairs.

Mold

Mold can take hold within 24-48 hours following a water incident. Even if you are not allergic to mold, or have a pre-existing respiratory condition, it can negatively affect your health. Symptoms of mold exposure include itchy, red, watery eyes, and coughing. 

Mold lurks in places where you can’t see it, but you will still experience its effects. Mold removal is a specialized skill, and a professional disaster restoration company has the tools and experience to detect and remove all traces of harmful mold from your commercial property. 

Electrical

When electrical systems and appliances are affected by water there is a danger of electrocution and fire. If water damages the wiring it may arc or cause power surges that could permanently damage devices that are plugged in. 

DO not enter the area until you are 100% sure electricity has been turned off. 

A professional disaster restoration company like HRS can tell you if your electrical systems can be salvaged. The extent of damage is impacted by the length of time the system was submerged and how deep the floodwaters were.

Structural

If water damage is extensive and pervasive, it may weaken fasteners and 2×4’s in your property. If these buckle, the structural integrity of your commercial property is compromised. 

Water damage may also undermine a structure’s integrity by rusting and weakening foundational metal structures. 

It may be possible to repair structural damage, but if it is too severe, replacement may be your only option. 

Sewage Exposure

If raw sewage or sewer water have no pathway out of your building, it ends up back inside, exposing you and your building’s occupants to potential ill health effects.  When a sewage backup occurs, toxic contaminants get into the air. Sewer gas exposure can lead to illness like gastroenteritis if not properly cleaned and disinfected. 

A professional disaster restoration company like HRS adheres to OSHA and EPA standards for cleaning and is trained to follow IICRC guidance. 

Preventing Commercial Water Damage

It is possible to prevent some instances of commercial water damage. Consider that the more damage you can prevent, the less you will spend on commercial flood damage restoration. 

Potential prevention measures include flood monitoring systems, regular maintenance, and water damage inspections. Read on for more on each of these preventive steps. 

Flood Monitoring Systems

Even if your business is not in a flood-prone area it’s a good idea to subscribe to text alerts for severe weather so you can prepare ahead and plan for storms. 

Make sure you are monitoring your water usage so that you can detect if you have a leak, or water running in your appliances when you shouldn’t. 

If you experience a major storm or snowfall, where will the runoff go? Do you have downspouts on your property or can you slope the area around your building? 

Other ideas include drainage inside or out to give extra water a path away from the premises. 

Maintenance

Do you have a maintenance plan for your business? Anything worth protecting warrants a plan in place, and one that should be done at least once a year. 

Areas to check include drains, window seals, appliances containing water such as the water heater and air conditioner. All should be serviced at recommended intervals and drains should be kept clear of all debris and buildup. 

While heavily utilized items like doors, windows, and drains warrant more regular maintenance, areas like the roof only require maintenance after an extended period of time – unless there has been a major weather event like a hailstorm. 

Water Damage Inspections

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this couldn’t be more true when it comes to costly water damage repairs. We recommend hiring a professional to conduct an annual inspection of your property to look for areas in need of additional attention. 

Even if you’ve occupied the property for years without any catastrophic weather event, weather patterns are changing, so why not get peace of mind with a professional’s view in addition to your own? 

What To Do If You Have Commercial Water Damage 

Your business is your livelihood, and you can’t let water damage cut into your bottom line. As soon as you realize you have a water incident, you need to find the source of the water, stop or fix the source of the water intrusion, secure any affected areas, and begin the cleanup process. If the water incident was minor, you may be able to use over the counter cleaners and fans and vacuums. 

More pervasive and damaging water events warrant professional attention. HRS Restoration Services is a full service disaster restoration company with licensed contractors, plumbers, and electricians to get your commercial property back up and running. 

Why Choose HRS Restoration Services

HRS Restoration Services is your one stop company when disaster strikes. 

Our dedicated team of professionals can respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’re dedicated to providing the highest level of customer service for our clients, and they’ve responded with glowing reviews. 

Let us put our expertise in all things disaster restoration to work for you. Call us today for more information or to make an appointment. 

Our Process

HRS follows a water damage restoration process that includes water removal, damage evaluation, mitigation, and restoration.

Water Removal

HRS uses truck mounted vacuum extraction technology for the strongest suction. While a Shopvac may work for minor water cleanup, an extreme water event, especially when it has seeped into carpet, etc., warrants a professional solution. We also use commercial grade fans to circulate air and dry out the water affected areas. 

Damage Evaluation & Mitigation

Damage evaluation and mitigation involves assessing which items are salvageable so they can be removed, treated, and returned to their original location. 

If the water incident involves sewage, it must be contained to prevent the spread of noxious odors and substances to other areas of the building. We use professional personal protective equipment, commercial grade cleaning agents, and deodorizers to remove all harmful contaminants. 

Our team of licensed professionals includes general contractors, plumbers and electricians who can assess, diagnose, repair, and replace damaged electrical systems and pipes. 

Restoration

Once we complete the damage evaluation and mitigation, we can begin the restoration process. Restoration includes all of the steps that need to be taken to bring your commercial property back to the way it was before the water incident. 

Our process involves removal of unsalvageable items, and repair or replacement of business equipment and electronics. We work in conjunction with insurance companies to assist in the claims process. 

Our team of licensed professionals in commercial water damage clean up includes general contractors, plumbers and electricians, as well as mold remediation specialists to ensure a safe return to your commercial space.

Contact HRS Restoration Services Today!

When you experience flooding or a water incident on your commercial property, you need a company to handle the problem start to finish. Beyond water mitigation, you need professionals who are experienced in all areas of restoration including mold removal and remediation. 

HRS is a trusted provider of mold restoration in Denver. They have decades of experience and training, as well as hundreds of satisfied customer reviews. 

At the first signs of water damage, call the experts in commercial water damage restoration repairs. Call HRS for more information or to make an appointment.