Stars and Bars RestorationA burst pipe in a shop, a failed water heater in a back office, a roof leak over inventory. When a business takes on water, the clock runs differently than at home. Every day closed is lost revenue, and the people who rely on you are waiting. We've put together what business owners in Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Cañon City and across Southern Colorado should have ready before something happens, and what to do in the first hours after.
Why commercial water damage is different
Homes and businesses dry the same way, but the decisions around them are not the same:
- Business interruption matters. Whether you can keep operating, even partly, depends on how fast the affected area is isolated and dried.
- Landlords, tenants, and insurers all have a say. Who is responsible for the building and who is responsible for contents depends on your lease and policies.
- Materials are different. Commercial buildings often have concrete slabs, suspended ceilings, and large HVAC systems that can spread moisture and odors.
- Records and equipment are at risk. Paper files, electronics, and stock need to be moved and protected quickly.
The first hour
- Make everyone safe. Get people out of affected areas, and keep them away from standing water near electrical equipment.
- Shut off the water at the main or the nearest valve if the source is a supply line. Know where it is before you need it.
- Cut power to wet areas if you can do it safely, or call a licensed electrician.
- Call your insurance carrier or agent and the property manager or landlord if you lease.
- Photograph and video everything before anything moves. Our documentation checklist works for a business as well as a home.
- Move what you can to a dry area: files, electronics, inventory off the floor.
- Call a restoration company that can mobilize quickly. We answer (719) 676-2456 around the clock.
What professional drying looks like
Our crew includes IICRC-certified technicians, and the process follows the same standard we use everywhere: find the water, remove standing water, remove materials that can't be dried, set air movers and dehumidifiers, and monitor moisture readings until the structure is dry. You can read more about timing in our water drying process guide.
Drying equipment is loud and takes space, so we plan around your hours where we can. In some cases we can section off the affected area so the rest of the business keeps running. We can't promise that for every job. It depends on how far the water traveled.
Common causes in our region
- Freeze damage. Cold snaps in Southern Colorado burst lines in unheated storage areas, spaces above ceilings, and exterior walls. See our guide on the first hard freeze.
- Water heater and appliance failures. Break rooms, restrooms, and ice machines are frequent culprits. Our appliance leak guide applies to commercial equipment too.
- Roof leaks. Flat commercial roofs pond water, and a first snow can show you where the weak spots are.
- Sewer backups. Floor drains in restrooms and kitchens are the first place a main-line problem shows up.
Get ready before something happens
- Keep a one-page emergency sheet: water main location, electrical panel location, your insurance policy number and agent's phone, landlord contact, and our number.
- Know whether your policy covers business income and extra expense, and what the waiting period is. Read it or ask your agent; policies differ.
- Keep important records backed up off-site.
- Have maintenance done on water heaters, roofs, and drains before winter.
- Store inventory off the floor in vulnerable rooms.
Mold is the second problem
If a commercial space stays damp, mold can begin to grow in a day or two, and it affects employees and customers. Quick, thorough drying is the best prevention. If you already see or smell it, our mold remediation service can assess it.
Who we are
Stars & Bars is a small, veteran-owned company based in Colorado City. We serve businesses in Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Cañon City and across Southern Colorado. See our water damage service for details.
If your business has water damage, call (719) 676-2456 any time, day or night. Email: services@sb-resto.com.
Don't let a leak turn into a closure. Call (719) 676-2456 now.