Soon after St. Patrick’s Day, some of our service areas were impacted by the spring’s unpredictable weather changes. Some businesses saw several inches of rain, others experienced severe tornado damage that halted operations, and others are still being impacted by snow. No matter the damage, it’s not because of luck that many of our FirstAlert! members are already on the road to total recovery - it’s because of our 24-hour site monitoring and priority response.

The benefit of 24-hour site monitoring

Regardless of where your commercial properties are located, chances are they’re exposed to natural threats that could delay production or keep your business from meeting demand. In that case, it helps to have a restoration partner that is always ahead of the storm. Members of Cotton’s FirstAlert! Program benefit from our Business Intelligence Center monitoring their facilities and weather events 24/7. This means that we can help them prepare for potential damages before the storm arrives and...

Flooding can happen anywhere, and to anyone. It is critical that businesses are prepared for natural disasters with flood insurance and tools that mitigate total loss in emergency situations. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flooding occurs in over 90 percent of all natural disasters, averaging 17 billion dollars of damage each year.

There are a few simple preparatory steps that have the potential of saving your business from complete closure and financial loss if flooding ever occurs in your area.

Analyze flood maps

One of the simplest ways you can proactively prepare your business for flooding is by analyzing flood maps of your business area. FEMA is the most reliable resource for this information, providing flood maps that are updated regularly. When researching your elevation and calculating risk of flooding, the 100-year flood plain will give insight into the highest potential level of water...

When your business property is damaged by a fire, the smoke and soot created can be devastating and the impact is often overwhelming. If your property’s sprinkler system was deployed, or if firefighters used water to put the fire out, there is also the potential for water damage to your building’s structure and contents. This includes the entirety of your facility, any paperwork or files, machinery, and technology. Creating a recovery plan after fire damage is critical to getting your business back to normal operations with minimal downtime.

Restore your property from smoke and soot damage

The physical damage that occurs after a fire can range from minor damage to total loss. No matter how large the fire, it is a traumatic situation to find yourself in.

There is often no way of predicting the extent of the damage until a property restoration company can assess your property. After a fire, do not re-enter your business; there is always the potential of structural damage and re-entering poses...

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, with the third-highest number of storms on record, to have caused about $70 billion in damages in the United States. Damages from Hurricane Ida alone, which made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 storm in August, are estimated to exceed the costs from all the hurricanes in the 2020 season combined.

Hurricanes are causing more damage and rapidly becoming more costly every year. Considering the wind and water damage that hurricanes can cause, taking some basic steps to prepare in advance can help companies minimize the property damage and business disruptions these events can create.

Take protective measures across your commercial property

There are many proactive steps you can take before hurricane season to reduce the potential for property damage. Have storm shutters or plywood on hand to protect doors and windows. Remove tree branches, loose debris, or other items around...

Molds are a type of fungus that can grow almost anywhere that provides them with moisture, oxygen, and an organic food source. They reproduce using tiny spores that typically can’t be seen without magnification and circulate through the air, whether outside or indoors.

Mold grows especially well in warm and damp conditions; the high humidity of restaurant kitchens makes them particularly susceptible to infestation. With increased public awareness of the possible health implications of mold exposure, restaurants must be extra vigilant to check for and eliminate any mold that may be found in their buildings.

What the effects of mold are if not removed properly

Not only can mold growth create odors in buildings, it has the potential to cause health problems. As reported by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration, mold exposure can trigger health effects. For some people, mold spores can cause a reaction similar to hay fever, such as...

Saying commercial property owners should worry about water damage is an understatement. Floods, in particular, are among the most common and costly natural disasters in the world. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, the United States accrued $100.2 billion in damages to residential and commercial properties across 22 climate and weather disasters in 2020. So far in 2021, the United States has recorded 18 climate and weather events that are estimated to total at least $1 billion in damages each.

Even more frightening is what these statistics don’t include, such as non-disaster, water-related events like burst pipes or non-flooding-related heavy rain.

For commercial property owners, there are additional risks beyond water damage alone. Water damage puts a business on hold, causing further loss of revenue, and any untreated or lingering damage like mold can become a hazard for employees, guests, and residents. That’s why it’s imperative that water damage be addressed as swiftly and safely as possible. In the event water or flood damage...

Just like washing dishes or doing the laundry, having to pick a water damage restoration company can feel like an undesirable chore. But as a business or commercial property owner, it’s imperative having a trusted professional at your side in the case of sudden water damage from natural disasters, inclement weather, or compromised plumbing.

When water is involved, there’s no time to waste. Attempting to fix water damage on your own can actually compound the problem; the more time passes, the threat of mold growth, health hazards, and compromised documents and other materials increases. Only having the most advanced equipment and certified expertise can get your business or property back in working condition.

To help you sort through an overwhelming and sometimes confusing amount of options, here are eight suggestions to help you choose the company that’s best for your needs.

1. Choose companies with credible local references

You wouldn’t hire a babysitter with no experience to watch...

Last year, the 2020–21 North American winter brought over $200 billion in damage across the United States and resulted in the tragic loss of life of almost 300 people, and experts predict many of these trends will continue. With this year’s winter season already well underway, it is essential for everyone from property owners to risk managers and facility directors to stay prepared for any of the threats that the winter weather may hold.

With over 25 years of winter storm recovery experience, our team understands the importance of remaining constantly vigilant throughout the colder months and we know you do too. To aid you in finishing this winter safe & secure, Cotton’s team of winter disaster recovery experts have prepared this helpful checklist to ensure your commercial property is ready to face any winter event:

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As weather changes, so do the risks that affect any commercial property. The combination of powerful cold, wind and moisture create threats for a business that are wholly different from those it faces throughout the rest of the year. This risk is compounded for those businesses that operate in warmer climates because they are even less prepared for winter weather than their neighbors to the north.

If you're a business owner or facility manager, it is important that you begin your winter preparations early so that you are not caught off guard by a winter storm. For your benefit, our winter preparedness specialists have crafted this outline of important steps to take in order to safeguard your business from a winter storm. Whether your region is accustomed to frigid winters or you’re on the warmer gulf coast, these tips will keep you prepared for any kind of winter threat.

Analyze your risk

Before diving into the specific threats associated with winter weather, it’s important to first determine the liability your facility is potentially exposed...

To Our Family in Louisiana,

I can confirm that after 25 years in the business, this never gets easier. My thoughts and prayers are with the communities affected by Hurricane Ida.

As it made landfall on Katrina’s 16th anniversary, Ida’s wind speeds of 150 mph and dangerous storm surge destroyed thousands of homes, commercial buildings, and essential infrastructures, such as electricity towers and sewage systems. To this day, thousands of residents are still without power and are struggling to get the resources they need.

Due to the amount of water and wind damage, it has been and will continue to be an around-the-clock effort to get our communities back up and running. As your trusted partner and neighbor, I assure you that Cotton will not rest until our businesses, schools, hospitals, government facilities, and other essential institutions are restored.

The Cotton Team has boots on the ground and has been responding to calls throughout the region, working diligently to bring the community back online. In addition to our recovery services, support for the...