The rainy season is here, and it's going to bring with it many challenges. You may have to deal with flooding in the streets and localities, water-logged roads, landslides, and other emergencies. The US experienced 18 weather and climate-related calamities that cost the authorities nearly 1 billion dollars in 2022.

The same was true in 2021 when Western North Carolina (NC) experienced flooding during Tropical Storm Fred. However, your workplace can prepare for these situations by taking simple steps. Here we have listed out some easy measures that you can take at work:

Minimize Water and Moisture Inside the Workplace

• Use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier helps remove excess moisture from the air, which can help dry out surfaces and reduce the amount of mold and mildew that grows in your office. It is a helpful device, which is why the market is growing exponentially, and is expected to continue performing the same with a CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2030.
• Use air conditioning if you have it, but be careful not to set it too low if you want some humidity there. You can also use fans or open windows to increase airflow through your workspace.
• If possible, keep your windows closed during rainstorms. This will prevent water from getting inside via leaks or overflow drains on roofs/windowsills/etcetera outside the building but make sure there aren't any leaks around doors first before closing them completely.

Inspect the Roof for Damages

Damaged roofs are among the most common reasons for water seeping in during rains. Your first step should be to inspect the office building's exterior; the roof is part of that inspection list. If you find any damage to the roof during the inspection, get help from a commercial roofing contractor to fix it.

Look for companies in your locality, especially if the weather forecast news shows high rains are expected. For instance, if you reside in NC and there is news that a tropical storm is expected, start looking for commercial roofing companies in NC.

When selecting a company, you can check its website reviews. These reviews can give you a clear idea of previous customers' experiences and what you can expect while working with the company.

Most companies proudly list such reviews on their websites to showcase their expertise. For instance, CDS Roofing has listed reviews from authorities from different companies, such as Sounder Properties, U.S. General Services Administration, Vision Envelop, and others, to showcase their portfolio of working with different clients.

The company has also mentioned the name and position of the reviewer of the client company. You can read such reviews to find a company offering your expected services.

Besides roofing, you must also check the gutters, downspouts, and drains. If these are clogged with leaves or other debris, water cannot drain away from your building properly and could cause leaks in several places around your property.

Damages caused to property during storms due to damaged roofs, unclean gutters, etc., can lead to lower property values. For instance, a McKinsey report published on the First Street Foundation website shows that storm surge-related damages to homes in states like Florida can lead to losses worth $2.5 billion to $3 billion annually by 2030 and lessen the valuation.

Check the Weather Forecast Regularly

When it comes to keeping your workplace clean and hygienic during the rainy season, checking the weather forecast regularly is one of the most important things you can do. It's not just about knowing when it will rain. You also need to know how much rain is expected each day.

Suppose you have a large outdoor area with several different stations or departments. In that case, it might be worth setting up an alert system so that someone will be notified of any changes in their designated area. This way, they can take precautions before anything gets too bad.

After checking out what weather conditions are expected on any given day, consider what gear would best suit those conditions and ensure everyone has access to appropriate clothing options.

Install Weather Stripping Around Doors and Windows

Weatherstripping is a soft material installed around doors and windows to keep water out of the building. It can also help reduce energy bills, prevent mold and mildew, and reduce fire risk. The market for the same was huge at $8.338 billion in 2022 and still growing.

Here are some tips for installing weather stripping:

• Make sure you purchase weather stripping that fits your door or window perfectly. If it doesn't fit well, it won't do its job as well.
• Use a pencil to mark where each piece should go on both sides of each door or window frame. When marking these spots, ensure enough room so no part touches another object when closed.

This could cause damage over time if not taken care of properly now while still fresh new material ready for use soon after installation is completed successfully without any problems whatsoever because nothing ever goes wrong when trying new things with high hopes but low expectations, right?

Drying Wet Floors and Surfaces

The first step is to mop up the water, which will help prevent it from spreading to other office areas. If you don't have a mop on hand, you can use a cloth or towel instead.

After mopping up as much moisture as possible, it's important to dry any remaining dampness from floors and surfaces to prevent mold growth or damage caused by condensation. To ensure that these areas are arid after cleaning them with a squeegee or cloth/towel combo:

• Use a fan or dehumidifier if necessary.
• Open doors and windows so they can air out while drying off. This will also help remove any lingering smells associated with mold growth.

Maintain Cleanliness and Hygiene in Common Areas

Common areas are spaces that employees, such as the kitchen or break room, share. These areas can be challenging to keep clean when it rains because they have a high traffic volume and often have food spills. If you're working in this type of space, there are several things you can do to keep it clean and hygienic:

• Ensure everyone knows where to put their trash so it doesn't get left out on tables or counters. If possible, designate an area specifically for trash cans so people know where to put them away after use. This will also help prevent spills from occurring on other surfaces since there won't be any loose garbage lying around.
• Wash dishes immediately after using them instead of letting them sit overnight in your sink full of dirty water. This will reduce mold growth chances later when temperatures start heating up again during springtime months ahead.

Conclusion

Now that you're ready, get out there and make your workplace as clean and hygienic as possible. We hope these tips have helped you understand how to deal with rainy days in your office.