Property Restoration for Schools in Atlanta, GA and Beyond

When your school building floods, the top priorities should be student safety and minimizing water damage. Disaster clean-up is a multi-step process. Here are some tips that can make a difference during a disaster:

• Alert the School Maintenance Staff – Members of your school’s maintenance staff are trained to handle emergencies involving school facilities and infrastructure. Alerting them ASAP is essential for applying proper safety measures that can help contain the damage.
• Evacuate Students in Affected Areas – If classes are going on when flooding occurs, calmly escort students to a safer place. Make sure everyone is accounted for and have them walk toward safety.
• Turn off the Power – Shutting down the power eliminates the chances of electrocution and electrical fires.
• Identify the Water Source – Try to identify the source of the water infiltration. Common causes include a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet, or a leaking water heater. Share the source of the leak with the maintenance staff.
• Call PENCO Restoration – When your building floods, our emergency crews are standing by 24/7 to extract the water. The rest of the process calls for dehumidification, disinfection, repair, and restoration. We also offer content restoration for books, furniture, appliances, important documents, and more.

In the aftermath of a fire or water damage, it’s important to look for these signs:

• Unpleasant Smell – Water intrusion can leave behind a musty smell long after the water subsides. Likewise, smoke & soot leave behind a different telltale odor. Both smells, stemming from microbial growth in water or tiny particles of carbon in the air, can be difficult to eliminate. Both can be distracting to students and educators.
• Destruction of Educational Materials – Books, computers, projectors, and other educational materials are vulnerable to water and smoke damage. They can be rendered useless within minutes of submersion in floodwater or exposure to a fire.
• Destruction of Furniture – Fire consumes many types of furniture. Water can make wooden desks, tables, and chairs flake, blister, or become brittle, diminishing their lifespans and triggering sizable replacement costs.
• Food & Water Contamination – Floodwater carries millions of harmful microbes that can make students sick. If floodwater surfaces in pipes that supply water fountains or water for the cafeteria, you could have a severe health hazard. Smoke and soot will ruin many food products in the cafeteria.
• Mold Infestation – Mold is a common but potentially health-threatening fungus that grows under damp conditions. In the aftermath of a flood, or after water is used to douse a fire, it’s common to spot mold infestation on floors and walls. Skin contact and mold spore inhalation can cause medical issues ranging from respiratory problems to rashes or even cancer.
• Fire & Electric Hazards – Electrocution is possible when floodwater makes contact with power outlets and exposed wiring. Water can also short-circuit electrical infrastructure and start a fire.

The types of restoration needed for a school will vary depending on the damage incurred, but some common elements that need refurbishment, repair, or cleaning include:

• Fabric of chairs, draperies, and other furnishings
• Carpet or wood flooring
• Air ducts
• Books and other learning materials
• Computers or electronic equipment
• Dark or dampened places where mold might grow

Call the professional restoration contractors at PENCO for an accurate property damage assessment.