Ohio has experienced more than 100 climate disasters, including severe storms and flooding, since the 1980s. After a disaster strikes, the journey towards recovery and restoration is paved with prompt actions and informed decisions. One such action includes employing building restoration services to minimize or prevent the economic and physical impact of disasters.
You need a comprehensive strategy to deal with post-disaster infrastructure recovery. Let’s explore seven reasons why you should act faster with post-disaster building restoration services.
1. Fast Action Minimizes Revenue Loss With Commercial Property Restoration Experts
The losses due to disasters accounted for $25,000 to $100,000 in 2021, with more than 20% of businesses unable to recover any losses. When a natural calamity occurs, commercial properties remain unusable, resulting in downtime.
Downtime not only causes economic losses but also invokes an employee retention crisis. Many employees look for jobs in companies that work proactively to mitigate the repercussions of the disaster due to a monetary shortage. Apart from that, if you act faster with the post-disaster recovery, there is a chance you can secure materials faster and avoid spiked prices, which also saves you money.
With the right post-disaster recovery, you can resume your business operations in a very normal way sooner. Commercial property restoration experts provide rapid assessment and emergency board-ups, smoke remediation, and remove water and clean your place so your business can operate as soon as possible.
2. Speed Prevents Irreversible Damage With Structural Damage Repair Services
Major floods and storms cause significant damage and mold growth in homes and commercial properties. Basements and attics are more prone to water damage and mold. Stachybotrys is a type of mold that grows after a flood, infests materials containing cellulose, which damages papers and ceiling tiles, or wood. Immediate action is critical to recover structural damages.
Health risks associated with mold are dangerous and long-lasting. Flood-related mold causes childhood asthma, which is a reason big enough to seek quick remediation services.
If you contact the structural damage repair services within the first 24 hours, you are potentially averting major health risks. The experts repair using industrial humidifiers, antimicrobial treatments, and emergency shoring to prevent deterioration.
3. Rapid Response Preserves Historic Integrity With Historic Building Restoration Contractors
Ohio has more than 4000 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which require regular preservation. Floods and other natural disasters significantly damage properties, leading to deterioration. Ohio pushes the concept of fast post-disaster recovery, and the state government offered tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by tornadoes in 2024.
Historic building restoration contractors employ specialized methods and equipment, such as lime mortar and Dutchman repairs, to preserve authenticity to meet modern standards. Restoration of historic buildings before irreversible damage sets in is essential, especially after the building has been exposed to flood and contaminated water.
4. Delays Trigger Heavy Fines – Avoid Regulatory Penalties With Full-Service Restoration and Renovation
Regulatory penalties in Ohio and Pennsylvania range from small fines to imprisonment, depending on the offense’s severity. Some of the local building codes require prompt action.
You can not simply ignore the damages, as it will lead to fines and even forced closures or demolition orders.
Full-service restoration and renovation teams in Pennsylvania and Ohio ensure compliance with FEMA, OSHA, and historic preservation standards.
| Category of Violation | Ohio Penalties (as of 2025) | Pennsylvania Penalties (as of 2025) |
| Building Code Violations | Up to $1,000 per day fine for repeat offenses and 180 days imprisonment maximum sentence | Up to $600 civil, and $1,000 per violation if you do not comply with the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) |
| Historic Building Non-Compliance | Usually falls under building code violations | A fine may be imposed on unauthorized operations near historical sites |
| Failure To Report Incidents | Criminal charges are to be imposed upon careless delays in reporting ($250 fine and 30 days in jail) | Fine imposed for reporting an environmental incident late |
| Environmental Violations | Up to $93,058 fine imposed if guilty under RCRA violation (hazardous waste) | A fine may be imposed per acre for unauthorized sewage sludge application |
| Construction Safety Violations | More than $156,259 upon OSHA violations (such as fall protection failures, etc) | Similar charges, along with local multipliers, are based on building type and risk. |
5. Faster Recovery Strengthens Insurance Claims
Fast post-disaster recovery streamlines insurance claims and leads to faster payouts. Rapid recovery is a demonstration of a proactive approach, which can benefit you as the insurer views it favorably.
Here is how fast post-disaster recovery helps you safeguard your insurance claims:
Streamlines The Claim Process
When you are prompt with the post-disaster recovery, you make it easier for the insurers to assess your claim. However, what is most important during rushing to fix things post-disaster is documentation.
Keep all the records and receipts intact to support your claims. A lack of documents can cause unwanted trouble for your claims. Nevertheless, the faster you act and the more documents you carry, the easier it gets to claim your insurance money.
Reduce Expenses
While seeking fast post-disaster recovery strengthens your case in front of your insurers by depicting a proactive approach, it also helps reduce expenses.
However, if the disaster is great, you may need to hire an expert to trigger a variety of insurance policies. A few insurance policies could be triggered following a crisis:
- Commercial General Liability
- Pollution Legal Liability
- Owner-Controlled Insurance Program
- Directors and Officers policies
Once you identify proper insurance policies, track the cost with insurance reimbursement. Professional commercial property restoration experts guide you through the process and may recommend some experts to assist you in the process.
6. Quick Repairs Maintain Community Trust and Reputation
Ohio’s susceptibility to severe weather events is evident. The state of Ohio suffers from tornadoes and thunderstorms quite often. In fact, it just broke its record of 62 tornadoes in a year in 1992 by witnessing 63 tornadoes in 2024 alone.
Such disasters occurring frequently require prompt action and an emphasis on maintaining a good relationship among the citizens of the state. When a disaster strikes, it provides an opportunity to preserve the community by building trust and reputation.
When you plan post-disaster recovery with the help of residents, it strengthens relationships and builds a cohesive support network. Commercial property restoration experts combine aesthetic repairs with structural work to build stability, which portrays a positive image to customers and tenants. You may be able to retain your customers with fast post-disaster recovery.
7. Resume Operations Quicker With Advanced Technology
Traditional methods for building restoration were time-consuming and expensive. In the aftermath of a disaster, an opportunity arises to employ modern technology to salvage buildings and commercial properties as soon as possible.
3D Laser Scanning
Structural damage repair services leverage 3D scanning technology to create millimeter-accurate digital models of structural damage.
This technology allows the experts to calculate the exact requirements of each material and saves a lot of time. It also aids historic building restoration services by digitally archiving original details.
Thermal Imaging Cameras
Many full-service restoration and renovation experts use thermal imaging cameras to detect hidden moisture beneath the floor, walls, and behind ceilings without conducting any form of destructive testing. It also aids in identifying electrical faults post-fire.
In Ohio, mold infestation is pretty common during the humid summers, which can be prevented by detecting hidden moisture trapped between pipelines.
Drones For Post-Disaster Evaluation
Drones are deployed to assess the damage in disaster situations. It helps in the safe inspection of unstable roofs and upper floors. Many experts use UAVs to map larger disasters in days, which streamlines the recovery process and allows the residents to return to normalcy as soon as they can.
Other modern technologies include the integration of artificial intelligence to mitigate the crisis. All these technologies aid in faster recovery and aid in resuming operations as soon as possible to recover financial losses.
When to Call a Disaster Restoration Company?
Calling disaster pros quickly saves your property from worse damage. Waiting makes repairs costlier and riskier. Always call when you feel unsure. Restoration crews have industrial gear you don’t. They spot hidden problems homeowners miss. Here’s when to dial them immediately:
(More Than Small Leaks)
Call for any major water invasion, like burst pipes or storm flooding. Overflowing appliances need fast water extraction, too. Hidden leaks behind walls become urgent after 48 hours because mold starts growing fast.
Pros use infrared cameras to find wet spots you’d miss. After firefighting, leftover water causes secondary damage that needs immediate attention. Contamination levels matter:
| Water Type | Examples | Risk Level |
| Clean | Broken pipes, rainwater | Medium (if not dried fast) |
| Gray | Dishwasher leaks, sink overflows | High (contains bacteria) |
| Black | Sewage, floodwater | Extreme (toxic pathogens) |
Fire and Smoke Damage
Contact the disaster restoration experts after any size of fire, since smoke invades everywhere. Kitchen grease fires leave sticky residue while heat warps cabinets. DIY cleaning often smears soot permanently.
Professionals remove damaged items safely, then eliminate odors with ozone machines. Water from fire hoses creates extra issues needing simultaneous handling.
Mold Growth
Reach out for mold patches bigger than a bath towel. Musty smells without visible mold signal hidden growth behind walls.
Professionals contain spores during removal using plastic barriers. They find moisture sources causing mold, since killing mold without fixing leaks fails. Asthma risks demand expert remediation immediately.
Storm Damage
Phone restoration teams for wind or hail destruction, like roof holes. Broken windows invite rain inside, requiring instant tarping.
Fallen trees crush structures while debris piles hide sharp hazards. Storm floods often bring contaminated water. Crews board up properties fast, preventing theft or animal entry.
Sewage Backups
Never handle toilet overflows yourself because sewage contains dangerous viruses. This becomes a health emergency fast.
Porous materials like carpet trap pathogens permanently. Certified technicians wear hazmat suits and follow strict disposal rules. Special disinfectants are essential here.
Biohazard Situations
Crime scenes or trauma sites need specialized cleaning for safety. Bodily fluids risk infection exposure, requiring OSHA protocols.
Moreover, hoarding cleanup demands protective equipment and respectful handling. Biohazard restoration companies dispose of medical waste properly every time.
Do You Need Help With Post-Disaster Building Restoration?
It’s heartbreaking to see your home or business place affected by a disaster, even if it’s just some mold or sewage backups. Your life comes to a halt and stays that way until someone does something to restore the property.
Americon is that someone! We have been helping businesses and individuals across the Ohio region with emergency post-disaster building restoration for several decades.
From dealing with water and fire damage repairs to flood and sewer water extraction and mold remediation, we have the crew, equipment a lot of experience to handle it all. Call 1-833-4373487 today to get started ASAP!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does it take for water to cause structural damage?
Water can cause structural damage in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Prolonged exposure weakens wood, drywall, and foundations, increasing the risk of collapse or mold. Fast mitigation is essential to prevent costly repairs and long-term deterioration of the building’s integrity.
Who do you call first for water damage?
Call a professional water damage restoration company first to stop further damage and begin cleanup. Contact your insurance provider immediately to report the incident. Acting quickly reduces repair costs and prevents mold growth or structural issues.
When to call a water restoration company?
Call a water restoration company immediately after any water intrusion, such as flooding, burst pipes, or leaks. Early response prevents mold growth, structural damage, and costly repairs. Waiting more than 24 hours increases the risk of permanent damage and health hazards.
When should water damage restoration services begin?
Water damage restoration services should begin within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure. Immediate action limits structural damage, prevents mold growth, and reduces repair costs. Delays beyond this window can lead to irreversible damage and health risks from contaminated water or mold.
How to pick a disaster restoration company?
Choose a disaster restoration company by checking certifications, verifying insurance, and reading customer reviews. Select a provider with 24/7 emergency service, proven experience, and a clear plan for damage assessment and cleanup. Ensure they specialize in your type of disaster, such as water, fire, or mold damage.
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