Should a Business Attempt a DIY Property Damage Cleanup Project?

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian highlights the dangers and inefficiency of a DIY property damage cleanup project in a commercial environment.

When a business suffers water damage that necessitates water removal, physical property is not the only thing affected. Normal business operations are disrupted or cease altogether. Retail sales are dramatically curtailed, and product flow churns to a halt as assembly lines grow silent. The provision of onsite client services is interrupted indefinitely. Revenue slows to a trickle while overhead explodes. Profits plunge while expenses skyrocket. Rapid water cleanup is a priority in order to restore normal business operations, resume provision of client services, regain sales momentum and return to a positive cash flow. Success hinges on a swift cleanup and recovery.

What to Do During and After the Water Damage Disaster

When a property damage disaster occurs at a Midlothian, TX, business, immediate steps must be taken. In the event of a fire, chemical spill, or personal injury, first responders should be immediately notified of the need for emergency services.

Step #1: Implement the formal Disaster Ready Plan if one is in place.

A comprehensive disaster readiness plan encompasses preparation, training, response, and recovery. Separate from but linked to the Disaster Ready Plan is the business continuity plan, which focuses on the continuance of a business in the context of catastrophic devastation. Catastrophes could include total loss of a facility, destruction of the means of production, massive data breach or data loss, supply chain collapse, or loss of a key person or persons.

Step #2: Stabilize the situation.

This step includes extinguishing a fire or shutting off the water, electricity, and natural gas. If necessary, roof damage should be tarped.

Step #3: Ensure the safety of the occupants.

Human life always takes priority over the facility, equipment, and product. If the situation is not stabilized, circumstances can escalate to a point where personal safety becomes a factor.

Step #4: Protect the structure and its contents.

During and after the disaster, employees will take the appropriate action to protect vital equipment, important documents, electronics, inventory, raw materials, and any toxic chemicals. Tarp or relocate anything of value to a safe location, and engage emergency backup systems, including data backup. Relocate hazardous materials to safety.

Step #5: Begin the cleanup and restoration process.

A rapid and thorough restoration project is essential for the success of the business. Business owners and senior management have two options. Employees can be enlisted to handle the task, or a property damage restoration company can be contracted to handle the cleanup and restoration.

Compelling Reasons to Choose a Restoration Professional

Two compelling reasons argue against utilizing payroll personnel to handle the cleanup and restoration: liability and inefficiency. When employees are tasked with duties outside the scope of their job description, the employer is exposed to liabilities that can have a greater financial impact than the property damage disaster.

Important Consideration: Liability

Employees may sustain physical injuries or trauma that leads to a loss time accident, a workers compensation claim, or litigation. These dangers include:

• Back, joint, or muscle injuries from heavy lifting or overexertion
• Slip-and-fall injuries
• Health effects arising from over exposure to heat
• Lacerations or puncture wounds
• Health issues or injuries arising from exposure to harmful particulate matter and toxins resulting from a fire or chemical spill
• Health concerns arising from exposure to raw sewage
• Stress and anxiety from working in a high-stress and dangerous environment

As a side note, employers may face legal pushback from unions and trade associations when employees engage in work activities beyond the range of their job description.

Important Consideration: Efficiency

Resumption of normal business operations is critical for a small business to survive a property damage disaster that interrupts the revenue cycle. Delays can be extremely costly for any business since time, the creation of goods and the delivery of services yield revenue.

Hardworking employees who lack knowledge, training, experience, the proper equipment, techniques, and cleaning products cannot possibly perform cleanup and restoration with the efficiency and thoroughness of a skilled, competent, well-equipped, and highly coordinated team of property damage restoration professionals.

The Benefits of Professional Cleaning and Restoration Services

SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian will assist business owners in formulating a Disaster Ready Plan that includes preparation, response, and recovery. The SERVPRO team provides a rapid response within an hour, 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays. The team inspects and assesses the damage, and a detailed, documented estimate is provided to the client. In the meantime, mitigation and stabilization efforts are underway. The skilled, well-equipped, and highly coordinated crew work quickly to clean up and restore the disaster damage. Crews are equipped with the proper personal protective gear (PPG) and follow strict safety guidelines to protect themselves, others, and the property of the client. SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian is licensed, bonded, and insured.

The team at SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian can be reached by email at acarey@SERVPRO10932.com or by phone at (972) 935-0827.