Commercial Water Damage & Prevention
Water damage can occur in any property, including office, industrial, apartments, schools, libraries, and retail buildings. From leaking pipes to natural disasters, water damage can cause significant disruption to an office’s operations. In this post, we will discuss the typical Commercial Water Damage & Prevention guidelines, the causes of water damage in office buildings, prevention measures, and restoration solutions.
Causes of Water Damage in Commercial Buildings
Factors that can cause Water Damage
- Leaking Pipes: Aging pipes or poor maintenance can cause pipes to burst or leak, leading to water damage.
- Roof Leaks: Damaged roofs or clogged gutters can cause water to seep into the building.
- Natural Disasters: Floods, hurricanes, and heavy rainstorms can cause significant water damage to an office building.
- HVAC Systems: Malfunctioning or poorly maintained HVAC systems can cause condensation or leaks, leading to water damage. The water damage can go undiscovered for weeks and create bigger issues, such as mold.
- Sewage Backups: Whether the city, neighboring tenant, or a damaged sewer line is the cause – sewage backups are often very unpredictable.
- Interior Plumbing: Overflowing sinks, bathtubs, and toilets are more common that customers may hope. Additionally, Loose refrigerator or washing machine lines can pour large amounts of water quickly.
Prevention Measures
Preventing water damage in an office building or other commercial building is crucial to avoid business interruption and significant restoration costs. Here are some prevention measures that can be taken:
- Regular Maintenance: Regular maintenance of pipes, HVAC systems, and roofs can help prevent water damage. Regular maintenance can seem expensive on the front-end, but can save property owners a lot of money by avoiding water damage.
- Drainage: Ensure proper drainage of rainwater away from the building. The grading of soil, dirt, or landscaping should slope away from the building to avoid “pooling”. Gutter extensions can also help ensure water is dispersed as far away from the structure as possible.
- Emergency Plan: Have an emergency plan in place in case of a water damage event. Service Restoration has announced a new Quick Action Plan App that is available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. The app allows property owners to store their property information and contact list. With one touch of a button, all listed contacts are notified.
- Waterproofing: Apply waterproofing to the exterior and interior of the building. Often it is unknown if waterproofing is needed, until it is needed. Some things to look for are water stains on cinderblock walls or on the concrete flooring.
Restoration Solutions
In the event of water damage, quick action is essential to mitigate the damage and avoid further losses. Here are some restoration solutions that can be implemented:
- Water Extraction: Professional water extraction services can remove excess water from the building. Commercial grade machines have far more extraction power and extraction capabilities than a standard “Wet Vac”. Removing water with more extraction power means the machine can pull water from deeper in the material. Removing water at a faster rate means the water can spread less and cause less damage.
- Drying and Dehumidification: Commercial-grade equipment can be used to dry and dehumidify the building and prevent mold growth. Often times a material can feel dry to the touch, but have moisture trapped in the material. For example, a wood stud or drywall can feel dry to the touch but be wet deeper. With Materials and Commercial-grade drying equipment, we can “dry down” deeper and ensure the moisture content achieves an acceptable levels.
- Restoration: Restoration services can repair and restore the building to its pre-damage condition. Using one company to perform the mitigation and the re-construction make the process more smooth and easier to see pre-loss condition and finishes.
Conclusion
Water damage can occur in an office building due to various reasons, causing significant disruption to business operations. Prevention measures, regular maintenance, and having an emergency plan in place can help avoid water damage. In case of a water damage event, quick action is essential to mitigate the damage and avoid further losses. Service Restoration can repair and restore the building to its pre-damage condition. By following these measures, an office building can be protected from water damage and avoid significant restoration costs.
Check out our post about the Water Restoration Process and some of our other recent Commercial Water Damage Losses: White Bear Yacht Club and Happy Homes