Hurricanes and tropical storms are unpredictable beasts. They can intensify and change directions without notice, making storm preparation vital for minimizing hurricane damage. Experts can only predict how many hurricanes will make landfall in the U.S. each year based on historical data and current weather patterns. Meteorologists use the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to indicate a storm’s strength. They use data regarding air pressure, water temperatures, air temperatures, winds and other variables to predict where a storm might travel and how strong it could become. By understanding the hurricane category ratings, you can have a better idea about the impact that a storm could have on your commercial property.

Hurricane Category Ratings 

Category 1

Sustained wind speeds: 74 to 95 miles per hour
Storm surge: 4 to 5 feet above normal

A Category 1 hurricane is a dangerous storm that is likely to cause some damage to roofs, gutters and siding. Winds could topple trees and snap tree branches. Winds could also affect power lines and poles, resulting in power outages.

If debris breaks a window or a commercial building, the contents inside might receive water damage from rain intrusions. It is a good idea to keep vital documents in a strong, waterproof storage containers or filing cabinets to minimize damage.

Buildings on or near bodies of water are at risk of flooding due to storm surges, which is when waters rise abnormally because of a storm. The severity of a surge depends on the tides, air pressure, rainfall, the position of the Earth in its rotation, and winds. Storm surges can occur with any type of storm, not just hurricanes or tropical storms. In some instances, storm surges can cause more damage than hurricanes.

A building at sea level that experiences a storm surge during a Category 1 hurricane could experience flooding in the basement and ground floor level. 

Category 2

Sustained wind speeds: 96 to 110 miles per hour
Storm surge: 6 to 8 feet above normal

Category 2 hurricanes have dangerously strong winds that cause extensive damage. Well-constructed commercial buildings might experience major siding and roof damage. Fallen trees and branches will likely block roads. Affected cities may experience power outages that last days or weeks.

Storm surges caused by Category 2 hurricanes can cause significant water damage to sub- and ground floor levels.

Category 3

Sustained wind speeds: 111 to 130 miles per hour
Storm surge: 9 to 12 feet above normal

Category 3 hurricanes are “major” hurricanes that cause devastating damage. Hurricane Katrina was a Category 3 storm when it made landfall in 2005. It progressed to a Category 5 storm within nine hours while it was in the Gulf of Mexico, but devolved into a Category 3 when it made landfall a second time.

A Category 3 hurricane can blow the roof off buildings. The winds will uproot strong trees or cause them to snap. Affected areas will experience near-total power losses that could last days or weeks.

Water from storm surges can infiltrate buildings that are seemingly far from the shore in a Category 3 hurricane. Floodwaters can infiltrate a building’s first and second stories, causing overwhelming water damage. Hundreds of people lost their lives and businesses received major hits during Hurricane Katrina because of the subsequent floods.

Category 4

Sustained wind speeds: 130 to 156 miles per hour
Storm surge: 13 to 18 feet above normal

Category 4 hurricanes, like Hurricane Opal in 1995, will cause total roof failure on many buildings. Buildings may also experience catastrophic structural damage. Water shortages and power outages can last weeks or months. The area will likely be uninhabitable for just as long. 

Storm surges will cause devastating water damage to affected buildings that will likely require rebuilding. It is a good idea to move all vital documents to a secure area off-site, as you might not be able to access the building to salvage the items in a timely manner.

Category 5

Sustained wind speeds: 157 miles per hour and higher
Storm surge: Greater than 18 feet above normal

In a Category 5 hurricane, like Hurricane Rita in 2005, many commercial properties will experience complete roof failures; some will experience complete building failures. The strong winds may blow away smaller utility buildings. Buildings in an affected area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Storm surge waters are likely to infiltrate several floors in a multi-story building.

Hurricanes and tropical storms cause overwhelming, unthinkable damage. With the right disaster preparedness planning, the damage does not have to be unexpected and the recovery process does not have to be as prolonged. Because storms hit at all times of the day, Polygon’s teams of experts are standing by with emergency drying equipment to minimize water and mold damage in buildings. When storm waters affect documents, crews take immediate action to salvage, clean, dry and restore them so your business can resume operations as fast as possible. Whether you’re in the process of creating a disaster recovery plan or you need immediate document restoration services, Polygon will be at your side. Contact us today to learn more.

There’s never a convenient time for your roof to spring a leak, but there are things you can do to help mitigate the damage, minimize the cost and, most importantly, prevent future leaks.

STOP THE WATER DAMAGE

Once you discover an active leak in your roof, the first thing to do is minimize the water damage as much as possible. To do this, you should move or put plastic covering over anything that can be damaged by water. This includes: furniture, electronics and other valuables.

CONTAIN THE WATER

Immediately put a bucket or other waterproof container beneath the leak(s) to catch the water. If water splashes onto the floor, put an old T-shirt in the bottom of the bucket to absorb the splash, or try pinning a long string to the ceiling near the leak, so the water will have a path into the bucket. If the paint is bubbling, it’s likely holding water, so puncture the bubble to release the water into your bucket. If you cannot contain or control the water from coming in, it’s time to call a licensed roofing contractor; many offer 24-hour emergency services.

REMOVE THE WATER

Once you have the leak under control, you need to thoroughly dry all carpet, furniture, woodwork and anything else that was exposed to water. Not only will water leave a stain, but mostly, you must prevent mold from growing in your home. If your carpet is soaked, pull it away from the padding and expose both sides of the rug and the pad to briskly circulating air. If the damage is extensive, call a professional water extraction company.

CALL YOUR INSURANCE AGENT

If you know (or even suspect) that your home has sustained heavy damage, call your insurance agent. Although your policy may not cover damage from a leaky roof, contact your insurance agent as soon as possible and let them determine what is and isn’t covered.

FIX THAT LEAKY ROOF

Once you’ve done all you can to get the situation under control and minimize the damage in your home, it’s time to get your roof fixed.

PREVENT FUTURE ROOF LEAKS

After you’ve had your roof repaired or replaced, there are a few easy steps you need to take to prevent it from leaking again:

• TRIM THOSE TREES – Falling tree branches can puncture your roof, while low-hanging limbs can scrape your roof’s surface over time, compromising its performance.
• KEEP GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS CLEAN – Falling leaves, acorns and other small debris can clog your gutters and downspouts, giving water a place to accumulate. Use a garden hose to remove clogs and keep your gutters clear. If you have a stubborn clog, remove the downspout and clear it with a mop handle or other long object.
• CHECK YOUR COLLARS AND FLASHING – Some roof leaks are caused by cracked or missing chimney and vent flashing, or compromised pipe collars. If the flashing or collar is badly damaged, it may need to be replaced. If the seal has simply failed, it may be possible to repair it with roofing tar in some cases.

Someone has broken into your business and caused damage. You may be confused by which crime was technically committed on your property and whether the damage is covered by your commercial insurance policy. In order to better understand how your business was damaged, it is important to know the differences between burglary, theft, and vandalism. Let’s take a look at their basic definitions:

• Burglary. Burglary is the act of entering a property illegally with the intent of breaking a law. Elements of burglary include trespassing, breaking, and entering. Someone who commits burglary could do so in order to steal from the property, to illegally dwell there, or to vandalize property.
• Theft. Theft or robbery is a criminal act in which a person takes someone else’s property without permission. While burglary often goes hand-in-hand with theft, theft can occur without burglary and vice versa.
• Vandalism. Vandalism is the purposeful and malicious destruction of property by someone who does not own the property. It is sometimes referred to as malicious mischief or malicious trespassing. It is common for those who commit vandalism to first commit burglary, though not everyone who commits burglary is guilty of vandalism.

When your business or commercial property has been damaged by burglars, thieves, or vandals, the damage can be significant and expensive. It is important to understand exactly how your property was damaged and exactly what your policy covers when you make an insurance claim. 

How to Handle Appliances Leaks

Some people may not be aware of this but there are appliances that do leak. These are those appliances that produce moisture and use water in order to work, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers. These home appliances rarely leak when installed properly and when they are brand new. However, when time passes or when dishwashers and washing machines are not connected to the water source properly, leaking is a huge possibility.

When appliance leaks happen, water damage can occur if the problem is not handled immediately. When you suspect that one or more of your appliances has a leak, here are some things you should do immediately to minimize the damage caused by the situation:

Turn off your water main – you can turn off the water main in your home or simply turn off the water connected to the appliance itself. This will stop the leak and you can have the appliance serviced or the connection fixed.

Remove the appliance from its power source – if it is your refrigerator or other moisture producing appliance causing the leak, removing it from its power source may help. This will stop the appliance from running, thereby stopping it from producing the moisture that is causing the leak.

Dry off the area immediately – don’t allow water that leaked from your appliances to stand where it is since it will cause serious water damage to your floor. Wipe the moisture off immediately to avoid such a problem. If you were a bit late in noticing the leakage, and damage has been done to your floors, you will need to contact a professional specializing in water damage restoration to fix this.

Have your appliances and water connections handled by a professional – to fix as well as avoid these problems, have a professional connect your washing machine and dishwasher to your water source. You should also have appliances repaired by a certified professional if these need to be fixed in order to prevent these leaks from happening again.