How To Prepare a Commercial Building for the Spring Thaw

7/30/2022 (Permalink)

The spring thaw doesn’t have to bring flooding to your commercial building.

How to Get Ready for the Spring Thaw in a Commercial Building

As spring comes to Zilker, TX, it’s not unusual to experience flooding from the storms that sweep through the area. Snow and frozen ground can exacerbate the problem too, especially for commercial buildings built before recent flood zone elevation requirements. Fortunately, you can take a few steps to reduce the threat to both the building and your commercial operations.

Be Proactive Against Flooding
Most businesses discover there’s a problem with the drainage just before their call to the insurance company for a claim — where many discover they aren’t covered anyway. The time to think about drainage is now. If you own the building, it’s essential to protect your investment. If you’re renting, you should at least consider the impact on your inventory and operations.
There are four essential methods to protect a building from flood damage:

• Landscape often
  
• Install and maintain your gutters
  
• Clear the drains
  
• Have regular roof inspections
  
  

If you have a basement, you may also need a sump pump. Plus, after a snowstorm, you should clear enough snow to ensure the meltwater runs away from the building. Snow during a cold snap followed by heavy rain has caused more than one spring flood locally.

Don’t Ignore Late Freezes
As the spring weather gets nice in Zilker, TX, it’s easy to forget how quickly it can turn cold. If you’re not prepared, you might have a frozen pipe, which can cause tremendous damage before you discover it. Always check the condition of your plumbing after a heavy cold snap.

Address Water Damage Immediately
Many construction materials are highly effective sponges, so once a flood happens, you need to get excess water out immediately. A commercial building usually requires professional water damage mitigation experts who can bring in specialized equipment to remove standing water quickly, suck moisture out from behind walls and identify any hidden problem areas.
The spring thaw doesn’t have to bring flooding to your commercial building. A little advance work and a quick inspection after a late freeze can save you a fortune in repairs later.