Water damage is devastating, not just to homes but to businesses. If a flood or leak affects your business, you need to act quickly to stop the destruction from spreading. And you need to know where the water is coming from and why to stop the damage.
Let’s look at the top five causes of commercial water damage so that you can handle cases of water intrusion as soon as they occur.
Damaged Pipes
Pipes can break for various reasons. Age, changes in pressure, cold temperatures, and a lack of maintenance can all cause them to burst and leak. Common signs of damaged pipes include water stains on the floor and ceiling, cracked tiles, and an unpleasant, musty odor.
If you suspect your building’s pipes are leaking, contact a professional as soon as possible. And to prevent future leaks in your water pipes, consider adding regular direct assessments to your pipe maintenance plan.
Window Damage
Most commercial buildings feature an abundance of windows, and a small crack or gap in any of them is an invitation for rainwater to come inside. Cracks in the panes and gaps in the framework can both result in water intrusion.
Some sure signs that a window has damage include mold growth, peeling paint, pooling water, sagging drywall, or stains around it.
Roof Damage
A damaged roof causes water to enter your business and trickle down, damaging the structure of your building along the way. The most common causes of roof damage are age and extreme weather. If your roof is over 20 years old or your area recently experienced a period of intense weather, you should have your roof examined.
Damaged HVAC
The next top cause of commercial water damage is a damaged HVAC system. While uncommon, a worn-down HVAC can result in water leaks. Regularly cleaning and maintaining your HVAC system will keep this from occurring.
Severe Weather
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to prevent extreme weather from damaging your commercial property. Floods, hurricanes, thunderstorms, and other forms of severe weather can inundate your building with water.
While you can’t stop Mother Nature from carrying out her will, you can keep the amount of damage she creates to a minimum. So ensure your business has a proper drainage system, clean gutters and downspouts, and storm shutters.