Effective Ways to Prepare for a Flood

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

Sandbagging can be a good way to block water from coming into your building

In your organization, you will hopefully have some emergency preparedness procedures in place. These efforts can protect you and your co-workers from harm. Proper planning can also minimize the amount of damage your building suffers. Flooding is not uncommon in North Des Plaines, IL, so your company should be ready in case a disaster occurs. There are some steps you should follow to keep the problems at a minimum.

Know the Problem Areas

Flooding can occur at any time and in just about any place in your office. If you can identify common culprits, you can cut down on the chances of this incident from occurring. Here are areas where a flood is likely to start.

• Leaky or broken pipes in walls or under sinks
• Leaky appliances such as water heaters or refrigerators
• Backed-up sewers or a broken main water line
• Poor drainage or ineffective rain gutters and downspouts
  

Move Them on Up
Flood damage often starts on the lower levels of a building. As soon as any water starts to invade your office (or before, if possible), move items such as furniture, electronics, and documents to higher levels. If your workplace is all on one floor, get these materials off the ground as soon as possible.

Fill Those Sandbags
Sandbagging can be a good way to block water from coming into your building. This method can also reduce storm damage. If you don't currently have any sandbags, make sure you get some. It's best to place them around windows and doors.

Check Your Roof
A well-built roof should last for 30 years or more. You should still inspect it regularly to make sure there are no weak spots or damage. Floods often start from water coming in through leaky roofs. Inspect yours and repair it promptly if you find problems.
If you keep these tips in mind and use them, you can save your building from a catastrophe. If you have flooding, implement these ideas quickly and call a professional disaster relief company.