Causes of Water Damage in Your Commercial Facility

7/6/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage can cause significant problems in both residential and commercial buildings. However, with commercial buildings, the trouble is worse since it poses threats to both clients and employees and can also disrupt business operations. So, what are the common causes of water damage in commercial facilities? Let's check it out.

Deteriorating Plumbing or Burst Pipe

Depending on the age of the plumbing system in your commercial building will give you an idea of when problems can occur. If your building is decades old, there's a big chance you'll start to sustain water damage at some point.

Pipes in particular are vulnerable to cracking and bursting, especially during the winter when the weather is cold, causing freezing temperatures to attack the pipes. Also, if they are old and rusty pipes, there's more of a chance that you'll be dealing with cracks down the line.

When pipes burst, this causes flooding and damaged materials. This is a terrible problem for residential homes, but especially for a commercial building, as there is a risk of damage to important documents, technology, and more. Plus, if it is not cleaned up and restored in a quick manner, you're looking at dealing with mold growth as well.

Severe Weather

Natural disasters are hard to predict and it's even harder to protect your building from property damage. If your commercial building is in an area that is prone to severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes - it's smart to get the proper insurance before your building falls victim to Mother Nature.

While there isn't much you can do as commercial property owners to prevent damage that storms and flooding can cause, there are certain precautions that can be taken, like properly maintaining and cleaning gutters as well as verifying the effectiveness of the draining unit.

Roof Leaks

Roof leaks can be sneaky. They're hard to spot unless you start noticing discoloration on the ceilings or finding puddles of water where it doesn't belong. Because they are so sneaky, there's a larger chance that mold will start developing, causing more issues for both the building and the people that work inside of it. If you detect a leak, you should immediately contact a professional for assistance.

And, for prevention, it's smart to have your roof looked at annually.

Malfunctioning HVAC System

Like all machines, wear and tear is normal. If your heating and cooling systems stop operating, cracks and leaks can appear within its drains and pipes. This, in turn, will lead to the leakage of liquid outside the unit, which can get all over the floor and become a slip and fall hazard.

Again, to prevent this, annual check-ups are your best bet.

Damaged Windows

Windows should always remain sealed. Should the seal become cracked or damaged, this creates a scenario where unwanted liquid and moisture will get inside. If this happens, you're not only dealing with water damage, but mold damage as well as the humidity entering the building, along with water, will cause an infestation that is not healthy to be near.

If you notice a crack in a window seal, call a professional ASAP and get it fixed. The longer you wait, the bigger the problems will develop.

Why You Should Hire a Professional

When it comes to protecting your commercial buildings as well as the people inside of it, it's better to hire a professional to restore any water damage than it is to try to figure it out on your own.

A company like SERVPRO is full of professionals who have been specifically trained to handle these issues and because of their speed and equipment, they will get your business up and running again as soon as possible.

When it comes to our restoration process, we understand that every flood and water damage scenario is a little different. Each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. However, the overall flood water and restoration process remains the same. These steps detail our process for the typical water-damaged property:

• Step One: Emergency Contact (calling SERVPRO Team Harvey once you notice something wrong)
• Step Two: Inspection and damage assessment
• Step Three: Water removal/water extraction
• Step Four: Drying and dehumidification
• Step Five: Cleaning and repair
• Step Six: Restoration

Why Hire SERVPRO Team Harvey?

You probably know that there are a million different restoration teams out there. This makes it hard to choose which one you're going to reach out to in the event of water damage or any other type of damage that needs restoration services.

We'll tell you why you should hire SERVPRO Team Harvey of Lower Manhattan:

• We're Faster to Any Size Disaster- Immediate action is crucial when dealing with water damage issues. With over 2,140 U.S. and Canadian franchise locations, we are strategically positioned to be faster to any size water emergency, so Manhattan residents can expect an immediate response, day or night.
• We're Highly Trained Water Damage Specialists- We are water damage specialists who get started promptly to get your property dry and back to pre-water damage condition. Using advanced water removal and drying equipment, as well as scientific drying principles to get your property dried quickly, we document the drying process to validate your home or business is ready.
• We Use Advanced Drying Equipment and Techniques- We invest in the latest technology and equipment in the restoration industry because it helps us restore your business quickly and to minimize cost. This equipment allows us to detect hidden moisture and extract standing water quickly and efficiently. We also utilize professional-strength cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing products to clean and sanitize the affected water damage area for your comfort and safety.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”