Common Causes of Commercial Water Damage

3/12/2018 (Permalink)

There’s nothing quite like water damage to put a damper on your business. Not only can you lose out on days or weeks of productivity, but you could also find yourself repairing or replacing valuable equipment like electronics, tools, and inventory. In order to determine how to prevent water damage in your business, you have to first determine what the causes of water damage are. The following are common causes of commercial water damage:

Appliances & Equipment:

If your facility has equipment that utilizes water, leakage is an ever-present danger. Air conditioners, water heaters, or anything that uses tubes, pipes, gaskets or filters to operate has the potential to leak.

The best thing to do is to regularly look over and maintain your equipment. If you notice anything that concerns you-- like rust, cracks, bulges or signs of moisture-- take preventative measures.

Sprinkler Systems

Many commercial buildings are equipped with sprinkler systems which are ideal for minimizing fire damage, but are not ideal for water damage when they malfunction. Always check your sprinkler system for signs of damage or rust, and replace them regularly to make sure they are functioning properly.

Roofing

Make sure you are checking your roof regularly. If you have water gathering on the roof, your drainage isn’t working effectively. Over time, this can cause strain and lead to leaks.

Natural Disasters

Mother nature can be unpredictable, and she can also do untold damage to your business. In Southern California, we experience natural disasters like severe thunderstorms and flash flooding. We cannot control the weather, but we can control how ready we are for it.

To keep the damage minimal, you should keep the gutters clear, installing barriers and storing important files and electronics at a higher level. You may also want to consider getting a risk assessment and adding flood insurance if you’re in an area where your risk is higher.

Pipes & Drains

Your plumbing system is susceptible to stoppages, clogs, and damage. You should keep an eye out for outward signs of moisture, blue stains, rusting, cracking and bulging. If you’re having plumbing work done or you have a cut pipe for any reason, check for scale buildup.

Ultimately, there is no way to completely eliminate all risk of water damage to your facility, but knowing common culprits, practicing good maintenance and taking preventative measures will reduce your risks and help you respond better if something does occur. If your Los Angeles business experiences water damage do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Glendora/ San Dimas.