Is Your Hotel Prepared For Storm Damage?

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

Your hotel business can be adversely affected by storm damages due to high winds, excessive rainfall, and tornadoes, and the repairs after this kind of weather can mean losses to any business owner.

Preparing your hotel for the stormy seasons and possible flooding ahead of time will mean a quicker recovery; preventive measures reduce the number of issues from storm damages your business will experience as well as the amount of time it will take to bring your operations back to normal.

Here are some ways in which you can prepare your hotel for storm damage:

REGULAR INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE

One factor that can go a long way towards preventing damages to your hotel from storms is going to be regular inspections and maintenance. Identifying trouble spots and planning ahead for the possibilities of a severe weather event will often lessen the severity of the damage. Some examples of areas to focus on:

• Landscaping. If your hotel is surrounded by mature trees, keep them properly trimmed and healthy. 
• Gutters. If your building has rain gutters, make sure they never become clogged with debris to avoid water damage and be sure to keep your parking and entries/exits free of obstructions so that people can get in or out quickly and remain safe. 
• Roofing. The roofing of your hotel needs to be in the best shape possible to keep heavy rainfall from causing leaks and high winds from loosening shingles, vents, and other equipment. 

Employ a professional restoration company to inspect your property regularly. Replacing roofing, siding, or windows after a storm will be costly - both from a materials and labor standpoint and from lost business, so it’s just smart business to be prepared. SERVPRO is always here to help with storm preparedness as well as assisting with damage after the fact. 

PROPER DRAINAGE

Storm drains are in place to move excess water away from buildings and parking areas, and these areas need to be in good shape ahead of heavy rainfall. Your local government will sometimes be the responsible party in public thoroughfares, but keeping an eye on them around your property will allow you to be able to report a problem right away and to be ready for storms. Walkways, patios, and other guest areas also need to be set up for proper drainage. 

RESPONSIBLE PLANNING

You are required by law to post emergency exit information for guests around your property and to keep that information up-to-date, of course. For the safety of your staff, you will want to make sure you have a system in place to communicate with them, as well,  so that they know what to do in case of an emergency. Listening to weather updates will keep everyone informed, and you’ll want to make sure you keep an emergency preparedness kit on-site in the event of accidents or if the power goes out and people are unable to leave your premises.  

Responding quickly to storm damages will get your hotel back in business right away, and our team here is here to help you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. SERVPRO of North Nashville specializes in water damage, fire damage, storm damage, mold remediation, and clean-up projects of all sizes. We can get your home or business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, as well. This franchise is independently owned and operated.