Not all water damage is created equal.
Many people assume that water damage is the same, whether it’s in a home or a commercial building. Much like a house painter can’t necessarily paint a high-rise building or an English-inspired landscape (although maybe they can!) a commercial water restoration company can’t necessarily complete a residential water restoration project. Some will try, but as we all know: if you want something done right the first time, it’s important to go to a specialist.
There are a few factors that can make the biggest differences in commercial water damage and residential, so we’re going to explore these today.
The Ultimate Homeowners’ Guide: What is the Difference Between Commercial and Residential Water Damage
Carpets
One of the most obvious differences in commercial water damage and residential is the flooring.
Home carpeting is often deep, plush, and soft. It has a padded underlay that acts as a buffer and insulation between the floorboards and the carpet backing.
Commercial premises use short pile, easy clean carpeting that is glued straight to the floor—often as single carpet tiles.
So, let’s say both the home and the commercial premises have signs of water damage or flooding.
The home carpet will be saturated, as will the underlay. To remove these things will be costly and expensive. Drying the carpet requires a lot of professional equipment to extract water and circulate air through 2 layers of material, in order to dry all the way through to the floorboards.
The carpets in the commercial premises may be saturated, but there will be no underlay to worry about. Because commercial premises use a hardy, short pile carpeting for easy cleaning and stain removal, removing water is a lot simpler, too. The biggest issue with drying commercial carpets is often finding a good match for the carpet tile pattern, if you need to replace tiles that are damaged beyond repair.
Furnishings & Equipment
The second most common difference between a home and commercial premises, when it comes to water restoration, is the equipment you’ll find there.
Commercial buildings and businesses might involve networks of computer systems, complicated desk setups, filing systems, document storage, and area dividers. All of these can present a complex issue for your water restoration team.
Health & Safety
Finally, certain commercial premises have a maze of by-laws and industry standards to adhere to, that can make the process daunting for a small, primarily residential water restoration business.
Hospitals, for example, have stringent processes in place because of the risk that damp and mold can cause to patient health.
Food processing plants are also under strict monitoring for hygiene and safety, and are best left to the commercial water restoration specialists.
Childcare centers, kindergartens, and many grade schools are moving towards a more stringent health and safety process when it comes to water restoration, water damage, and mold remediation.
Conclusion
The bottom line is: when you hire a water restoration company, be sure they are capable of delivering the work you need to a high standard. The best water restoration company for your needs is one who can meet three key criteria:
- An expert water restoration service for your specific needs
- A strong level of customer care
- A quick response for your water damage emergency
Need help with commercial or residential water damage? Call Austin’s #1 water restoration professionals for a personalized comprehensive restoration plan.
