Is Your Building at Risk for Flooding This Season?

City Wide Facility Solutions
Published on April 29, 2021

 

How Rainy is the Month of April?

Whether we are trying to beat the heat in the Summer or conquer the cold in the Winter, we can safely predict when to prepare for what weather lies ahead for us. However, when we move into the middle of the year, our weather gets more unpredictable. This is especially true when it comes to precipitation. You may have heard the adage, “April showers bring May flowers.” Contrary to popular belief, April is not the rainiest month for most locations in the U.S. According to AccuWeather, June is the wettest month of the year on average. However, calm rain showers that bring us closer to blooming spring are most prevalent in April. And while these calm showers are less likely to contribute to large-scale flooding, the heavy downpours that tend to occur in May and June can lead to flooding.

For emergency clean-up, you can contact City Wide Facility Solutions!

Flooding and Excess Moisture can Cause Significant Damage to Floors

Whether it’s hardwood or carpeting, excess moisture can be detrimental to your flooring. In the case of hardwood flooring, water can easily be absorbed thanks to the porous nature of wood. This can cause the planks that compose the flooring to swell and buckle. Small splashes and spills won’t harm your floor, but several gallons of water will, and a flood is guaranteed to have wooden flooring absorb excess moisture and swell.

For carpeting, you are looking at highly extensive damage. Depending on the severity, you may have to replace your carpet entirely. Not only will the carpet have physical damage and fray, but it is likely to become a new habitat for micro-organisms and mold. This can be harmful to you or anyone in your facility. That is why it is best to have flood remediation services ready to salvage what flooring you can. Pulling the carpet and allowing the sub carpet to receive air flow will be needed. Should the carpet be remedied within 24 hours, and depending on the extent of the flooding, carpet removal could potentially be ruled out.

What Causes Severe Flooding?

To nobody’s surprise, heavy precipitation in the form of either heavy rainfall or rapidly melting ice and snow causes flooding. Areas that are close to large bodies of water such as rivers and lakes are more prone to being on the receiving end of a heavy flood. But what defines a flash flood as opposed to it being a regular flood? Flash floods can come about with little to no warning prior, giving certain communities little time to prepare. This makes them especially devastating as preventative actions such as evacuations are hindered by the sudden devastation. Floods of this severity, while uncommon, can cause extensive property damage. Apart from water damage, mold formation, plumbing damage, severe damage to flooring, and odor formation can occur.

If your facility has seen this type of damage, know City Wide is always here to help. You can check out the flood restoration services we manage.  

What Can be Done to Assist with Flooding in My Facility?

  • Coatings and Sealants – You can reduce the chances of water penetrating your building by making sure that cracks or seams are sealed.
  • Having a Sump Pump – Sump pumps will pump to the outside floodwater that has made its way into your facility.
  • Installing a Flood Sensor/ Moisture Meters – Know about leaks and burst pipes the moment they happen. Also provides information on moisture levels in walls.
  • De-Humidifiers – Helps prevent the formation of mold

What is the Difference between Flood Remediation and Flood Restoration?

Flood remediation is the process of remedying flood damage. And like a remedy you would use to rid yourself of a cold, it’s a temporary fix to alleviate the symptoms that follow. It is not a permanent fix, but rather one of the crucial steps prior. It lays the groundwork for restoration and repairs to take place. Once structural integrity, moisture levels, and extent of water damage are recorded, procedures for restoration can accurately be laid out. Flood restoration is the actual clean-up and repair process after a flood occurs. This includes procedures such as pipe repair, clean-up, carpet drying, deodorization, and floor repair.

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