Nothing can bring your daily processes to a halt quicker than a commercial water damage emergency. Thankfully there are commercial water damage restoration companies near you, like the team from Genesis Construction, that can help find a fast and affordable solution. However, if you want to learn some of the causes and preventative measures, we’ve collected some insight for you here.
Below you’ll find the most common commercial water damage causes and some ways to prevent them!
7 Common Causes of Commercial Water Damage
Although every commercial building is different, there are some common causes of water damage you need to look out for, these include:
- Roof Leaks: A leaky roof can be one of the most expensive and dangerous water damage issues for a business to fix. Roofs are exposed to the elements, making them more vulnerable, and roof water damage can quickly lead to fire hazards, exposed wiring, structural damage, and mold and mildew growth.
- Damaged Windows: Rain can easily cause moisture to seep in if your commercial property’s windows aren’t properly sealed. This can turn into a big problem overnight, causing mold and mildew growth, structural damage, warped wood, and even drywall damage, all of which need to be repaired by remediation professionals like the team from Genesis Construction.
- Damaged Pipes: Pipes can freeze and burst in cold weather, or break down, causing costly leaks and flooding scenarios, so any issues with your piping need to be fixed ASAP. Bulging walls, water stains, musty smells, noticeable mildew, and damaged tiles are all signs of a leaky pipe.
- Foundation Issues: The foundation of your commercial building can easily crack and develop leaks if not properly waterproofed. Other issues that will cause foundation damage include unclean gutters, causing water to pool at the base of your foundation, and poor drainage systems in the parking lot around your building.
- Sprinkler System Leaks: Most commercial businesses employ sprinkler systems as a component of their fire safety systems. However, sometimes these sprinkler systems can develop leaks that can lead to big problems. Regularly inspect your sprinkler system for signs of leaks, or mold or mildew on the carpet, which can be an indicator there’s something wrong.
- HVAC Problems: Commercial HVAC systems can also cause leaks and other water issues, especially if they’re not regularly inspected. Your commercial HVAC system may have damaged ductwork with moisture, resulting in leaks or condensation pipes that have become blocked and are leaking throughout the building.
- Sewer Clogs: Arguably one of the most problematic types of commercial water damage, a sewer clog can put both your staff and clients at a serious health risk, so they should be fixed immediately. Sewer damage such as gurgling sounds from water fixtures and backups in sinks and toilets should be seen to ASAP!
Commercial Water Damage Prevention
One of the things many commercial restoration companies in your area will likely recommend to minimize such scenarios is coming up with a sort of prevention plan. There are a number of ways you can minimize and prevent such scenarios from ever happening.
A few of these include:
- Investing in Adequate Insurance Coverage: Not all commercial insurance plans will cover water damage so it’s important to choose one that does. Water damage remediation and restoration can be very costly for a business, so having the right insurance is key.
- Creating a Flood Monitoring System: Having a flood plan in place is helpful, even if you don’t live in an area that sees frequent flooding. Things like heavy snowmelt, plumbing issues, and local sewer overflows can also cause flooding, so it’s always best to be prepared.
- Conduct Regular Water Damage Inspections: Regularly inspecting your property for water damage is another great way to catch any issues quickly before they grow out of control. In addition to hiring professionals to check for water damage, you can also invest in components like humidity monitors and spot sensors to help you check for water or increased moisture on your own.
- Perform Regular Facility Maintenance: Having a professional facility maintenance team come in on a regular basis is another way to prevent water damage from things like sewage backups, HVAC issues, and other equipment failures that can easily be avoided with a little maintenance.
Contact a Water Damage Professional in an Emergency
If you have a water damage emergency on your hands, it’s important to contact a water damage professional as soon as you can to avoid further damage to your property. Many restoration companies, Genesis Construction included, are available 24/7 for emergency response.
When you suffer a water damage emergency, the services from Genesis Construction are comprehensive. Not only will we help you clean up your property and repair the damage but we’re also equipped to offer:
- Immediate Restoration Services: When you contact us and we arrive, we’ll begin the restoration process immediately. We’re trained to begin at a moment’s notice and have all of the necessary tools and expertise to restore your property in an efficient and effective manner.
- Safety Expertise: Our safety expertise is second to none. Genesis Construction always carries out our duties following the strictest industry guidelines and standards, safeguarding your building for the present and the future. We’re familiar with what it takes to safely execute a remediation job and it’s our goal to ensure the safety for you and all of your staff and clients in the coming days.
- Insurance Guidance: Handling insurance claims after a water damage incident can certainly seem a little overwhelming, which is why the team from Genesis Construction is always available to help. We offer professional documentation services to make the burden easier on you and help make the insurance claims process go much more smoothly.
Let us be your go-to local water damage restoration company!
If you have a water damage issue, don’t wait until it becomes a huge problem, contact Genesis Construction today. We’re available for your water remediation needs around the clock, so contact us online or call 1 (847) 895-4422.
In addition to our remediation services, Genesis Construction also specializes in commercial construction solutions, apartment renovation and rehabs, and more, so contact us today!