How Places of Worship Benefit from Commercial Property Damage Cleanup and Restoration Services

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth lays out the five steps churches need to take in the aftermath of a water damage disaster at their facilities.

Commercial facilities, including churches, are not immune to water damage and will likely need flood and water damage cleanup and restoration services at some point. When a church is hit by a water damage disaster, fast action can prevent secondary damage such as a mold infestation. A proactive recovery and restoration response will enable the facility to promptly resume the activities of a community of faith and place of worship.

Delays in taking necessary steps to remediate the disaster could not only allow the damage to worsen but could also complicate the insurance claims process. The temptation is to rally the congregation in a DIY water damage restoration project. However, without the proper equipment, training, cleaning techniques, and personal protective gear (PPG), the scope of the disaster could escalate out of control, and the expense to the church could far exceed water damage restoration costs by trained professionals.

A water damage disaster may very well involve water contaminated by bacteria and sewage. The cleanup requires astute technicians who will clean, disinfect, sanitize, and deodorize the disaster site with PPG and the best and safest cleaning solutions.

Fast action is crucial in a water damage disaster. Here are steps that help to ensure a seamless, safe, and efficient cleanup and restoration process for a church struck with water or flood damage.

Step #1: Thoroughly document the scope of the damage.

Before rearranging anything at the disaster site, create a detailed archive of photos and videos of the damaged property. Accompany the digital record with explanatory notes. Make comments while videoing the damage. More is much better than less when documenting the damage. These photos, videos, and verbal descriptions will assist the insurance adjuster in understanding the original condition of the property.

Step #2: Implement emergency repairs where it is safe to do so.

Make short-term repairs such as leak mitigation, boarding up windows, and installing emergency tarping on the roof if safe to do so. More complicated repair projects, such as damage remediation and mold removal, should be left to professional service providers who can safely complete the job. Document the temporary repairs made and save all receipts.

Step #3: Relocate items from flooded areas of the building.

Books, files, furniture, choir robes, historical documents, electronics, and other items should be stored in a dry, safe place. Do not leave any items sitting on a wet floor. Do not discard flood-damaged items until the insurance company has assessed the damage.

Step #4: Implement mold prevention strategies.

Strive to remove the water and dry out the facility and flood-damaged contents as quickly as possible. The most effective means to accomplish this goal is to hire an experienced, well-equipped, and certified restoration company.

Step #5: Notify the church’s insurance company of the situation.

If the disaster is due to a flood and the church is covered under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), notify the agency of the situation. Otherwise, for a typical water damage disaster, inform the church’s insurance company of the damage.

Simplify the Restoration Process: Prequalify a Damage Restoration Company

The pre-qualification of a damage restoration company ensures that a property damage disaster at a church or other place of worship will receive immediate attention. The communication channels at a church can easily break down, especially if the pastor is out of town or the church is too small to have a designated, paid staff position for property management.

Once a restoration company has been prequalified, any decision-maker from the pastor to the janitor can make the initial call for services. Contact information for the company can be placed on file with the secretary, stored in the cloud, and displayed on the door, bulletin board, or wall of each facility storage room. Instructions can be included to direct members of the congregation on how to proceed if they encounter a situation that requires the services of the prequalified cleanup and restoration company.

When churches choose SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, professional restoration technicians typically respond in an hour or less. If needed, the crew can shut off water valves or the water main to stop the initial water intrusion even before a plumber arrives on the scene. The SERVPRO team has the training, equipment, and expertise to initiate the water removal process and implement dehumidification and applied structural drying so that the facility can be ready for the next church service.

The professional staff at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can handle the entire insurance claims process from beginning to end. This service allows the church staff to maintain a focus on ministering to the community.

For more information about commercial water damage restoration, email SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com. The office can also be contacted by phone at (817) 741-5737.