After the destruction of a tropical storm or hurricane, much of the damage is impossible to miss. Missing roofs, shattered windows and flooded basements all demand emergency hurricane damage restoration to minimize business interruption.
However, some destruction sits just beyond what’s immediately visible. These harder-to-spot damage types can be devastating for building owners and management, costing time and money on hurricane damage services well after a tropical cyclone has ended.
This hurricane season, keep your commercial property on the path to success by not missing these top hidden threats after a storm.
#1. Hidden Water Behind Walls
After a hurricane, your property’s drywall may not feel wet, suggesting it did not sustain water damage.
However, be aware that water could still have seeped into your building’s insulation, requiring emergency hurricane damage restoration. The insulation will not function as effectively when soaked. More importantly, it could foster mold growth as the moist material sits in a damp, dark environment.
To help you identify this hidden damage, look for:
Peeling or bubbling paint
Musty odors
Discolored spots on the ceiling or walls
#2. Unseen Water Under Floors
Similar to the deceptively dry walls, floors that appear unaffected by floodwaters may actually be harboring water underneath the top layer.
Without hurricane damage services, water under floors can lead to mold, rot and structural impacts.
To spot this damage, look down and check for:
Warped floorboards
Parts that feel squishy or soft
High moisture readings on a floor moisture test
#3. Sneaky Mold Growth — Especially In Your HVAC
Once moisture has intruded into your property, your risk of mold growth increases. Mold grows and thrives in just 24 to 48 hours when it has:
A food source
Darkness
Warm temperatures
Low airflow
Moisture
During the torrential and wind-driven rain from a hurricane, water can even enter your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and cause airborne mold spores to diffuse through your building.
Mold is impactful because:
It can produce allergens and toxic substances that may affect the respiratory health of your building’s occupants
It can negatively impact building components and contents
The more it spreads, the more costly it can be to fully remove
A proven mold remediation company can help you efficiently and safely navigate this especially impactful hidden damage after a tropical cyclone. Look for hurricane damage professionals that provide commercial-grade equipment and proper dehumidification and cleaning protocols.
#4. Out-of-Sight Electrical Malfunctions
If flooding from a hurricane’s storm surge or rainfall entered your property, it’s possible some electrical components took on water, even if they appear untouched.
Wet electrical panels or equipment may:
Malfunction or not work at all
Create a fire hazard
Lead to corrosion risks
Practice great safety during emergency hurricane damage restoration and consider having an electrician look over any components you suspect may have taken on water.
#5. Concealed Roof Damage
Hurricanes can bring devastating damage through high winds, particularly at Category 3 or higher, leading to structural property damage. Roofs may lose shingles, or seams could be disrupted by gusty winds or debris impacts.
Even if the top of your roof looks unaffected, layers including the critical underlayment could have been punctured and need hurricane damage restoration.
Damaged underlayment can mean:
Water intrudes into your building
Insulation could become saturated and ineffective
A roof repair or replacement will be needed
Look for a company like Cotton Roofing that offers free roof inspections to help you understand the full scope of damage sustained during a hurricane before moving forward with repairs.