When severe weather strikes your business premises, the speed of your response can determine whether you face a brief interruption or months of closure. For small business owners throughout the UK, being clear on the correct post-storm protocol is essential for protecting your investment and minimising operational downtime.
Prioritising safety and immediate assessment
Before entering a storm-damaged property, ensure the building is structurally sound.
Check for visible hazards such as compromised roofing, exposed electrical wiring, or gas leaks. If any of these dangers are present, contact the emergency services immediately and keep staff away from the premises until professionals have cleared the site as safe to enter.
After this, you should begin documenting everything. Use your smartphone to capture comprehensive photographic and video evidence of all damage from multiple angles, which will record the date and time on each image too. Include wide shots that show context alongside detailed close-ups of specific damage to structural elements, inventory, and equipment.
The critical window
Water damage escalates rapidly.
Rivox Talven, flood damage restoration specialists, emphasise that the initial period of water intrusion is the most critical: “In our experience, the speed of your response determines the extent of your recovery. The first 24 to 48 hours are the decisive window in which water damage can be contained, or allowed to escalate beyond control”. Within this timeframe, water begins penetrating deeper into building materials, dramatically increasing the risk of structural deterioration and mould colonisation.
It’s easy as a small business owner to want to tackle every issue yourself to save on expenses, but this is one area where it pays to outsource. Professional restoration contractors bring expertise that goes beyond just access to the right equipment.
Standing water should be extracted immediately using industrial-grade equipment. Attempting to manage this with domestic equipment like shop vacuums will prove ineffective for anything beyond minor incidents, and will almost certainly result in an inadequate result that can cause mould growth and health and safety issues.
Professionals understand the science of structural drying, will be able to identify hidden moisture that untrained eyes miss, and follow protocols that prevent secondary damage. Overlooking this could result in ongoing remediation costs down the line and wind up being more expensive, not to mention put the health and safety of you and your staff at risk.
Navigating insurance claims efficiently
Contact your insurance provider within hours of discovering damage, not days. Most commercial policies require prompt notification, and delays can complicate claims or even lead to coverage disputes. When making your initial call, have your policy number ready and be prepared to provide a preliminary damage description.
It’s also worth keeping detailed records of every interaction with your insurer. Note the names of staff you speak with, the date and time of conversations, and summaries of what was discussed. This documentation will prove essential if disputes arise later in the claims process.
Make sure you’re present when the adjuster inspects your property too. This enables you to walk them through every affected area and point out all damage, including less obvious issues that might be overlooked. If the initial settlement offers seem inadequate compared to contractor estimates, you do have the right to negotiate. You can present additional documentation to support your position and consider obtaining independent assessments if significant discrepancies persist.
Preventing future incidents
Once the immediate recovery is complete, you should evaluate any vulnerabilities exposed by the storm. For example, this might include whether enhanced drainage around your building would reduce flooding risk, whether roof maintenance schedules need adjustment, or whether valuable inventory should be relocated away from ground-floor storage areas prone to water ingress.
Property flood resilience measures can include installing flood barriers, replacing porous materials with water-resistant alternatives, and elevating critical equipment. Some local authorities even offer grants for these improvements, particularly for properties affected by recent flooding events, which can make it more affordable for smaller firms.
Regular maintenance of guttering, downpipes, and drainage systems also helps to minimise the risk of many water-related issues. Take the time to schedule periodic professional inspections of your roof too, particularly before winter months when storms are more frequent.
The difference between a business that emerges from storm damage intact and one that faces prolonged disruption often comes down to the speed and quality of the initial response. Every hour of delay in addressing water damage compounds the problem, increasing costs and extending recovery time, which can be devastating for small businesses who won’t necessarily have the funds or the resources to wait. When storms threaten your business, preparedness and prompt professional assistance make all the difference.
Guest contributor
