When disaster strikes a commercial property, the clock immediately begins ticking. A fire or flood event brings with it an immediate threat to your operations, your assets, and the overall structural integrity of your premises. Water damage can strike at any time, without warning. Whether it is from a natural disaster or something as simple as a burst pipe, flood damage is always devastating. Similarly, smoke and fire can permeate every crevice and corner of a building, leaving deep and persistent damage.
At CHMFM, we understand the critical nature of these emergencies. Our flood cleaning services are run by a team of reliable and experienced professionals who are available 24 hours a day. We provide a comprehensive fire, flood and water damage service to clients all across the UK. No matter where you are or what kind of emergency you are facing, we are here to help. Our goal is to work quickly and efficiently to get your property back to its pre-incident condition in the most cost effective way possible.
In the crucial moments following an incident, having an immediate action plan is essential to minimise structural losses and mitigate the risk of long term damage. Here is your definitive checklist and a detailed overview of the comprehensive restoration process that CHMFM initiates upon your emergency call.
The Immediate 24-Hour Checklist for Commercial Property Owners
The first twenty-four hours after a fire or flood are the most critical. Taking swift, deliberate steps can significantly reduce the total cost of damage and accelerate the eventual restoration.
1. Prioritise Safety and Isolate the Risk
The health and safety of your personnel and visitors must always be your first priority.
Secure the Power Supply: In the event of any water intrusion, it is absolutely essential to shut off the main electrical power supply to the affected area, or the entire building if necessary. Water conducts electricity and the risk of electrocution is extremely high.
Prevent Access: Lock down and clearly mark the affected areas to prevent any unauthorised or accidental entry. Fire or flood damage often compromises floors, ceilings, and structural components.
Call Emergency Services: If there is any doubt about the safety of the structure or if the fire or flood is not fully contained, contact the appropriate emergency services immediately.
2. Initiate Your Emergency Call to CHMFM
The second, and perhaps most important, step is to call our 24/7 emergency line (01522 568014). Time is moisture, and the longer water remains, the higher the risk of severe secondary damage.
Rapid Deployment: It is crucial to have our reliable and experienced team on site as quickly as possible. We immediately deploy to begin the process of flood clean-up or fire restoration with efficiency and expertise.
Mitigation Strategy: Our experts will perform a rapid, on site assessment to identify the scope of the damage and establish a tailored mitigation strategy. This fast response is designed to minimise losses.
3. Document the Scene for Insurance
While cleanup is urgent, accurate documentation is vital for your insurance claim process.
Capture Evidence: Take detailed photographs and videos of all damaged areas and contents before any significant cleanup or removal begins.
Log the Incident: Record the date, time, and precise cause of the fire or flood damage. This information will be crucial for the claims adjuster.
4. Remove High-Value, Non-Damaged Assets
If it is safe to do so, move any valuable items that were not affected by the water, smoke, or fire away from the contaminated areas. This includes sensitive electronics, valuable documents and artwork.
The Professional Restoration Process with CHMFM
Once our team is on site, we take over the complex restoration process. Our approach is comprehensive, managing the entire event from initial decontamination through to final reinstatement.
A. Flood and Water Damage Restoration
The greatest challenge following a flood is not the visible water, but the invisible moisture that permeates materials and creates an environment for mould and bacteria.
Powerful Water Extraction: In the case of flooding, it is critical to remove all moisture from carpets, rugs, and furnishings. This is not a problem for our powerful water extraction and dehumidifying equipment. We utilise the latest in industrial hygiene equipment to quickly and efficiently remove all standing water.
Industrial Drying and Dehumidification: The rapid deployment of commercial dehumidifiers and air movers is essential. These machines address the hidden moisture in the building’s structure, including sub floors and drywall, preventing long term issues. We monitor moisture levels rigorously to ensure a complete and successful drying cycle.
Sanitisation and Disinfection: When all traces of moisture have been removed, we will treat the affected area to prevent mould and mildew. We will also clean, disinfect and sanitise your carpet, removing any bacteria or other contaminants introduced by flood water. The cleaning and disinfecting of the affected area is central to our flood clean up process, ensuring the water damaged building is fully restored back to its original safe state.
B. Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration
Fire damage requires a specialised and meticulous process to eliminate persistent odours and corrosive residues.
Detailed Damage Assessment: Before treating damage from fire and smoke, CHMFM will examine the area to assess the full extent of the problem. This includes identifying all areas that smoke and ash have permeated.
Deep Cleaning and Soot Removal: Smoke and ash can become deeply embedded in carpet fibres and leave a lingering odour. Our restoration team will deep clean and deodorise your carpet and thoroughly clean walls, corners, and other affected areas to completely remove smoke and ash residues. We can also repair or patch any portion of the carpet that has been damaged.
Odour Neutralisation: We go beyond standard cleaning. We utilise advanced deodorising techniques to neutralise and eliminate the smoke odour at the molecular level, ensuring no trace of the fire remains.
C. Full Reinstatement and Repair
Our service does not end with cleaning and drying. As a comprehensive facilities management provider, we are equipped to restore the area to its previous condition.
Building Repairs: Our team of experts will repair any damage and restore the area to its previous condition. This may involve repairing drywall, replacing flooring, and performing necessary structural repairs.
Integrated Services: Should the incident have affected your grounds or require large scale removal of damaged assets, we can seamlessly integrate our other services, such as Grounds Maintenance or Property Clearance, ensuring a streamlined recovery with just one point of contact.
Why Professional Restoration is Non-Negotiable
While small cleanups may be tempting to manage internally, the long term risks associated with a major fire or flood require professional intervention.
The Risk of Secondary Damage: Mould and mildew can begin to grow within 48 hours of water intrusion. This secondary damage can be far more costly and harmful to health than the initial incident. Our powerful water extraction and dehumidifying equipment is necessary to mitigate this risk.
Expert Knowledge of Contaminants: Flood water can contain sewage and other contaminants that pose a serious health hazard. Our professional cleaning and sanitisation methods ensure your commercial property is decontaminated and safe for re-occupation.
Cost Effective Solutions: Our experience and intensive training means we can return your property to its pre damaged state in the most cost effective way possible. By acting fast and using the right equipment, we minimise the extent of necessary structural repairs.
Your Nationwide Partner for Disaster Recovery
All hope is certainly not lost when your commercial premises suffers damage. Here at CHMFM, we are always ready for any kind of emergency. We are a UK wide facilities management provider and have established a reputation for excellence and reliability throughout the sectors we serve. When you entrust us with your commercial or domestic property, you can return with much less stress and worry weighing on your shoulders.
We are fully equipped for any restoration. We use the latest in industrial hygiene and drying equipment to decontaminate and dry all affected areas of your property quickly, ensuring as little disruption as possible to your operations. As a UK wide facilities management provider we offer a complete solution, from emergency call outs to the ongoing contractual maintenance needed to keep your premises in peak condition.
Contact CHMFM for a nationwide trustworthy and reliable commercial cleaning and maintenance service. Do not hesitate to call our 24-hour emergency number for immediate assistance.
Call CHMFM Today: 01522 568014
For general enquiries about protecting your premises, explore our other services including Commercial & Office Cleaning and Pest Control.
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