When protecting your business premises, you likely have several safety precautions in place such as intruder alarms, fire suppression systems or health and safety procedures. But have you prepared your business for flood?
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the UK, and while 300,000 commercial properties are estimated to be at risk, few businesses put measures in place to prevent against flood damage.
Is my business at risk of flooding?
You don’t need to be situated near a river or the sea to be in danger of flooding, though this will naturally increase your risk. Even with public defences against river (fluvial) flooding in place, you cannot guarantee that your premises will be safe.
Climate change is expected to lead to an increase in surface water (pluvial) flooding, so businesses who have not previously experienced flooding may soon be vulnerable.
You can find out if you’re at risk of flooding on gov.uk’s flood risk check page, which also features a tool to assess your long-term flood risk. Gov.uk’s tools are for addresses in England but checks are also available for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What precautions can I take to prevent flood damage to my business?
Some simple beneficial measures which you can take to reduce the amount of damage caused should flooding occur include:
- Review your insurance to check that you have an appropriate level of cover for flood damage
- Keep equipment and records that are essential to the running of your business on the upper floors of the building
- Park vehicles on higher ground
- Raise white goods such as fridges or other electrical equipment off the ground on platforms or stands
- Try to purchase soft furnishings that don’t sit directly on the floor. Lightweight items which are easier to remove in the event of a flood to prevent water damage to the upholstery may be a good investment
More in-depth maintenance and improvements to the building may include:
- Flood-resistant doors, including a flood barrier across the main entrance
- Installation of a damp-proof course that is higher than the usual level, along with flood-resistant plaster and flooring
- Raising plug sockets and fuses boxes
- Installation of non-return valves in sewer pipes
If you’re interested in improving your flood preparedness, get in touch with CleanSafe and we can advise you on how to enhance your defences.
What should I do if my business has been affected by flood water?
If your commercial premises have been flooded, whether by rainwater, an overflowing river or even by sewage, give CleanSafe a call. We have branches nationwide, so we can be on-site within 2 hours to minimise flood damage and get your business back up and running.
We are experts in flood clean-ups: Our staff have been trained by the National Flood School, and we are also members of the British Damage Management Association (BDMA). We will deal with any immediate safety hazards straight away and remove excess water to prevent further damage to the building and its contents.
Once we have pumped out the water, we will try to salvage as much as possible before thoroughly cleaning and inspecting the building for structural damage. We will then use our expert rapid drying process to ensure that the building is fully dried out to prevent odours and the growth of mould, which can be hazardous to health.
vOur service doesn’t stop at the scene of the flood. We can deal directly with your insurer, saving you the hassle of waiting for loss adjusters and surveyors, so you can get back to business. We’ll even give you advice on how you can better prepare for flooding to prevent future damage and loss of stock or revenue.
If you’ve experienced flooding at your commercial premises, give CleanSafe a call on 0800 668 1268 and find out why we’re the experts in flood aftermath cleaning.
