You may have made it to October without any storm damage to your building, but you are not in the clear just yet. Hurricane season in the Southeast of the US spans from the beginning of June to the end of November. Being well prepared for the storm season or an extreme weather event includes a lot of preventative measures. Inspecting your property, planning for worst-case scenarios, and tending to last-minute details all play an important role in protecting your building and its contents.
Get Everything in Shape
People who take care of their bodies are often able to better deal with illness than those who neglect their health. Likewise, a well-maintained building may withstand storm damage better than one with untrimmed trees, loose masonry, clogged drains and gutters, broken shingles, and deteriorated flashing.
Start with a visual inspection of your building. If possible, hire an expert to perform a roof inspection and to identify concerns and propose remedies. A roofing specialist can often identify small issues that may turn into big problems in the event of extreme weather.
Prepare for Problems
A catastrophic weather event can devastate an unprepared business by damaging property and assets, disrupting business operations, and limiting team member availability. To protect your business, regularly review property and casualty insurance coverage limits being sure to factor in new equipment or renovations. It’s also wise to make a thoughtful decision regarding your need flood insurance and business interruption insurance.
You’ll want to review back-up procedures for computer files and security for important papers. Maintaining an accurate inventory count will speed your claims process in the event of damage. Finally, by periodically covering emergency procedures with your workforce and posting building evacuation instructions for all to see, your building’s occupants will be better prepared in the event of a weather event.
Tend to the Details
If storm warnings occur, get outside to remove or secure loose tree branches, planters, benches, or items attached to the building. Make certain roof drains and gutters are clear. Depending on your location and weather predictions, consider boarding up windows or taking other protective measures. Not only can this help prevent interior damage, but a broken window may also change indoor air pressure that can affect the roof.
Keep your commercial building in top shape, review insurance coverage and emergency procedures, and take care of final details if a storm heads your way. For a pre-storm roof inspection or roofing repairs after an extreme weather event, contact Innovative Roofing Group by calling 404-594-6038 or emailing us today for fast and experienced advice and repairs.