Time is critical when a retail outlet or restaurant is damaged by severe weather. With summer storm season in full force, Cintas Corporation has identified five tips to help restaurants and retail outlets quickly recover from disruptions caused by summer storms.

“The combination of an unexpected emergency and a lack of preparedness can wreak havoc on a retail outlet or restaurant,” said David Mesko, Senior Director of Marketing, Cintas Corporation. “By taking the proper steps to restore your facility after a storm, you can limit the extent of the damage and reduce the downtime and lost revenue associated with recovery.”

Cintas recommends the following tips to minimize the impact of severe weather on your business:

1. Consider safety hazards. Be watchful of safety hazards, such as loose debris or shock hazards. Educate your employees on know how to shut off electricity in the affected areas and be aware that even if the electricity is down, it is oftentimes restored without notice.

2. Examine exterior doors and windows. Exterior windows and doors are two of the most important items to assess after a storm. Inspect handles, locks and weather strips to ensure they are in proper working order. If the windows and doors are damaged and need repairs, board them up or restore them promptly to protect your facility from further weather damage and possible break-ins.

3. Disinfect contaminated surfaces. When cleaning up after a storm, remove and dispose of all flood-contaminated materials and properly disinfect all surfaces. Take care when handling contaminated materials as to not spread contaminants to other surfaces. Don’t forget that wall cavities, studs and other fixtures will also need to be properly disinfected and deep cleaned.

4. Restore plumbing and water lines. Backflow and clogs are a common occurrence in flood damaged facilities. To avoid unnecessary sewage and drain line backups, you may need to call in a professional to extract and jet the pipes. By ensuring plumbing lines are clear and that toilets and sinks are working properly, you can limit the chance for restroom closures and odor issues.

5. Deep clean floors. If your floors have been affected by flood waters, they will need to be deep cleaned, regardless of floor type. By combining temperature, agitation, chemicals and extraction, deep cleaning removes dry particulate soil and residue, and guards against lingering odors from flood water contamination. Deep cleaning methods that use cleaning chemicals, dwell time and high-pressure steam can also effectively minimize bacteria and sanitize floors.