SERVPRO of Southern Memphis outlines five common causes of water damage in commercial spaces

3/17/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Cleanup

SERVPRO® of Southern Memphis outlines five top causes of water damage in offices, facilities, and other commercial buildings.

Businesses face the same water damage risk as homes and often incur more damage due to the costly and valuable files, machines, and structures in the workplace. As a business owner or manager, it’s essential to embed water damage prevention and restoration into your safety plan to protect your property.

1. Water-using equipment

Leakage is a constant threat if your building has any equipment that uses water. Anything that operates using tubes, gaskets, pipes, or filters has a chance of leaking, including water heaters and air conditioners. You could incur significant damage if the leak occurs after hours.

The best course of action is to routinely inspect and maintain your equipment. Take preventive action if you see anything that’s unusual, like corrosion, cracks, bulges, or indications of dampness. Regularly replace the water supply lines.  

2. Damaged roof

Extreme weather conditions like strong winds, rain, or snowfall can damage the roof of your office or facility, allowing water to get in. If this happens, you need to quickly cover up the damaged areas of the roof and call a water damage restoration company to help restore the space. 

It’s important to periodically inspect your roof for damage, especially after a storm. Also, ensure you schedule regular roof maintenance to ensure your roof can withstand the elements. 

3. Damaged window

Older structures are notorious for having drafts. If it rains heavily enough, windows that aren't properly sealed can even begin to leak, which can lead to moisture issues. While it may not seem like much, prolonged exposure to rain or moisture can cause structural damage, mold, and wood rot.

Ensure all windows on the property are sealed and undamaged as part of the routine building maintenance, and reapply the caulk whenever necessary, as it will naturally weaken over time.

4. Drains and pipes leaks

Pipe leaks are one of the most common causes of water damage in commercial spaces. It should go without saying that your plumbing system is prone to stoppages, obstructions, and damage. Even the smallest fracture could leak 250 gallons of water into your facility.

Keep an eye out for visible indications of dampness, cracking, corrosion, and bulging. Check for scale accumulation if you are having plumbing repair done or if a pipe has been damaged for any reason.

As an alternative, consider installing leak detection systems that activate an alarm when they detect a leak.

5. Sewage backup

A sewage backup can also cause your property to be flooded. This happens when wastewater flows through the sewer system in the wrong direction or when filthy water rises through your drains, sinks, and toilets rather than going down them.

Sewage backups are caused by clogged wastewater lines. So, you need to proactively keep the wastewater system clear to prevent it.