What to do, before and after your building is hit by storms
Posted on October 24, 2023
Severe weather is happening more often all across the country. Building and facilities managers are feeling the effects. Whether you are responsible for multi-family communities, retail, restaurants or office buildings, the best way to keep damages to a minimum and bounce back quickly is to be prepared. Here are five suggestions to help you weather the storm.
#1 Walk your building(s) once a year.
Experts recommend that you document your facility with photos and video yearly. Updated images will come in handy if you need to make a claim. If you’re not staying up to date on your documentation you may not get the payout you want.
#2 Treat any problem areas before they grow into bigger problems.
Peeling or bubbling paint is a sign of a problem. The earlier you mitigate the problem the better the result. By properly repairing and sealing your painted surfaces you can keep them water-resistant. Unsealed areas can quickly lead to mold and/or rot.
#3 Use coatings that are waterproof or weather resistant.
To lengthen the life of your paint, ask for coatings that have paint additives that provide a physical barrier between your surfaces and the weather. These can be coatings that contain alkyd, acrylic, urethane, or epoxy polymers.
#4 Use a painting contractor that knows how to work with your insurance company.
When there is a major weather event, some companies will flood (no pun intended) into a market looking to make a quick buck. Working with insurance companies can be complicated, use caution and see Tip #5.
#5 Work with a company that has commercial painting experience.
Whichever company you choose–whether it’s a national, regional, or local painting company–you want one that understands the complexities of working with commercial businesses. An experienced company will have practices and policies in place that address safety concerns and OSHA guidelines.
You should receive a written proposal that outlines how they will provide safe access for vehicles, signage, written communications with customers, residents, and/or vendors. Also, the company you choose should be flexible enough to do some work after-hours or work in places with the least foot or vehicle traffic.
CertaPro Painters® has over 30 years of experience with 25,000+ commercial sites painted last year. And with more than 7,000 local painting experts we can help you be prepared and protect your property come rain or come shine.
Each CertaPro Painters® business is independently owned and operated.
