Commercial Water Damage Restoration

When your business experiences water damage, you need to get things cleaned up quickly and thoroughly - to get back to business as soon as possible while avoiding the possibility of additional problems in your building in the future. Our expertly trained professionals are able to handle any type of restoration project, including large-scale flood and other water damage clean up and reconstruction. We provide 24-hour emergency service for all types of emergency situations, with the capabilities to get the job done efficiently to minimize both downtime and cost. We offer peace of mind to our clients.

Some do's and don'ts while waiting for our trained team to arrive:

Do's
• If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available.
• Use fans to circulate the air and assist drying.
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe furniture dry.
• Lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on
    the drapery rod.
• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place small wood blocks or
    aluminum foil under furniture legs.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings.
• Open furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage to enhance drying.
• Move photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe, dry location.
• Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather
    goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
• If damage occurs during a cool season, leave heat on; if in summer, use an air
    conditioner if available.
•   Call for professional service at 1-800-675-5467

Don'ts
• Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.
• Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or wet floors.
• Do not go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
• Do not lift tacked down carpet without professional help. Lifting the carpet
incorrectly could promote shrinkage.
• Do not wait to call Local Restoration at 1-800-675-5467 for professional help.
Damage from the water and bacteria growth can begin within hours.

Electronics

THE FIRST 24 HOURS of exposure to the effects of Water could determine if electronic equipment can be saved. This plan is intended only as a guideline for deciding if professional restoration services will be required. Testing will help to determine the extent of exposure from the following potential sources of damage:
• Sewage
• Water
• Heat
• Chemicals

Examples of electronic equipment that may have a limited life if not treated within 24 hours:

• Computers
• Telephone Switching
• Test Equipment
• Fax Machines
• Controls
• Medical Equipment
• Copiers
• Processing Equipment
• Sound Equipment

THE FIRST ACTION IS TO DE-ENERGIZE (Turn Off)
The first action is to immediately de-energize and disconnect all equipment including any battery backups. Not only is there a danger to personnel working in the area and a danger of fire from electrical shorts, but electrochemical action can plate contaminants onto printed circuit boards and associated connectors and backplates. The reverse action may permanently remove metals.

CONTROL THE HUMIDITY
The first objective of restoration is to remove the contaminants. If all of the equipment cannot be cleaned simultaneously, it is important that immediate steps be taken to arrest the corrosion process. The most important step is to control the humidity!! Corrosion occurs very slowly if the relative humidity is below 50%. Testing will help determine which dehumidification process is best suited; Refrigerant or Desiccant, both have advantages if properly utilized.

Maintain the electronics in an area where the relative humidity is below 50%.
Move to another area if necessary to maintain the humidity and temperature balance.
If you cannot move the electronics, seal each piece from the outside elements. Be careful not to trap moisture inside the chassis. Desiccants may be required.
If water or liquids from the fire suppression systems are visible, perform the steps outlined under the heading "Water Damage" first.

TESTING TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE

Two basic measurements should be made to assess the corrosion potential in a loss involving electrical / electronic equipment. The first is a surface concentration of halogenides to determine the chloride corrosion potential. The second test is pH, a measure of acidity of the contaminant. These tests are run on hard horizontal surfaces not disturbed by cleaning efforts. The importance of these tests and their interpretation is critical for establishing a baseline and a cleaning protocol.

CORROSION CONTROL
In cases of severe contaminant concentration, a special non-petroleum preservative may be sprayed on the equipment to exclude moisture and air. This very thin film is designed to be removed easily in the restoration process later.

ESTABLISH A CLEANING AND QUALITY PROTOCOL

Once the corrosion process is stabilized, the appropriate cleaning and quality protocols will be applied by Rapid Restoration Certified Technicians. A written Scope of Work will detail specific concerns to assure quality compliance to industry and Mil Spec. Standards.

Request an appointment online

Toll Free: 800-675-5467
Local: 315-252-2953
Ithaca area: 607-697-0088
Office Hours: 8:00am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday