How To Protect Your Commercial Property From Storm Damage

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

Roof collapsed under the weight of snow

Prepare Your Property For Potential Dangers

Storm damage can happen to any commercial property, anywhere. Although certain states have it harder than others, even buildings in Orange Park, FL, can sustain significant damage from floods, hurricanes or severe winter storms. As part of your yearly disaster preparedness, check your property for the following potential dangers.

1. Wind and Water Damage
Check that there are no dead trees or branches near your property. If you find any, call a landscaping company to remove them. You don't want them falling onto your building in the next storm.
Also check that any shrubberies or other plants are not right up against your building. Although plantings, in general, can help control flood water, plants next to your outside walls can make water pool and cause flood damage.

2. Lightning Damage
Just one bolt of lightning can damage your entire building or even cause it to burn down. All of your electronics could be destroyed at once, or you could lose everything to fire.
Part of your disaster preparedness plan should be having a grounding system installed on the roof. This will lead the electricity safely away from your building and into the ground.

3. Snow Damage
It might be a good idea to have your roof inspected periodically as part of your business preparedness plan. Missing shingles or a weakened area are invitations for winter storm damage. Heavy snowfall may be too much for a weakened roof and cause all or part of it to collapse.
Likewise, melting snow can seep through the roof where shingles are missing or broken, causing water damage below.
Disaster preparedness can greatly minimize damage to your commercial property, but it can't guarantee that bad luck will never strike. If, despite your best efforts, you find yourself faced with storm cleanup or, even worse, flood cleanup, know who to call for help. A certified, professional cleaning service that is available 24 hours a day is your best bet.