When business premises flood, the first thing most owners want to do is clear out the damage and get back to business. However, there are nasty hidden effects of flooding that can cause long-term, costly damage to a business.

Wynand Deyzel, Commercial Sales Manager at leading technology company Solenco, says the initial damage to infrastructure caused by rain and flooding is not the only damage water can inflict.

“Prolonged water or exposure to excess moisture can weaken the foundation and walls of your building. When water gets into wood and other porous materials or even produce of any kind, it can lead to mould growth, product contamination, and stock loss. Mould can start growing within 48 hours and this has quite serious consequences for not only health and product safety, but your bottom line too.”

The recent devastating rains and the resultant flooding is estimated to cost the Western Cape in the region of R1.4 billion. Damage to infrastructure in the Cape Winelands alone is estimated at R250 million. In Gqeberha the floods caused more than R1 billion in infrastructure damages, while earlier this year, KZN floods caused infrastructure damage of more than R1,5 billion.

These weather events, says Deyzel, are unfortunately not once in a lifetime events. “Research done by the Vaal University of Technology shows that climate change is increasing the number and severity of extreme weather events, and that the associated losses and damage are increasing worldwide,” Deyzel says.

Here are some of Deyzel’s tips for business owners dealing with flooding:

·Floodwater is likely to contain sewage and household waste, and can also contain industrial hazardous waste, so it’s important to be cautious when coming into contact with floodwater to avoid cross contamination. Wear protective clothing, including waterproof boots and gloves.

·Don’t enter the property without switching off the electrical supply and assessing how deep the water is.

·Cleaning is about more than just removing the water. Make sure the premises are thoroughly disinfected. Thoroughly drying out moisture-damaged infrastructure or contents is best done with a commercial dehumidifier. With the increasing impact of climate change, more businesses are turning to ceiling- and wall-mounted dehumidifiers for ongoing moisture control, while flood restoration teams rely on high-capacity mobile units for larger affected areas

Dehumidifiers accelerate moisture evaporation and speed up the drying process. “They’re designed for large areas like offices, stores and warehouses, and high-capacity mobile models are especially effective for flood restoration thanks to their powerful airflow, allowing business owners to get back to business quickly,” Deyzel says.

“Heavy rain and flooding events are increasing in regularity and strength, and business owners need to put proactive measures in place to ensure that their business operations can continue without their bottom-line suffering. Being prepared for the myriads of issues excess moisture can trigger will ensure local businesses can weather the storm, no matter the weather,” Deyzel says.