The Top Causes of Commercial Water Damage

Commercial water damage can escalate very quickly if left unresolved. Big buildings mean big problems, and you need a water damage restoration company that can step up to the mark and bring out the big guns. Depending on how severe the damage is, your commercial property may require structural drying as well as removing surface water. If the problem has gone unnoticed, you may now be facing a mold issue.

Whatever the extent of the damage, you need a solution, and quickly. The first step is identifying the problem, then all you have to do is call a damage restoration company to organize everything and get your commercial building back to the state it was in before. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, count on Superdry Restoration, Inc, for all your water damage needs.

Heavy rain, floods, problematic plumbing — there are many reasons you may be experiencing water damage on your commercial property. Porous materials such as carpets and wooden structures are particularly prone to damage. We see this kind of water damage often in retail and in the entertainment industry. 

With floods and heavy rain, the damage is often more apparent. But plumbing issues can pose a very sinister problem, as the extent of the damage has usually been wreaking havoc for months, unbeknownst to the facility manager. Here are 12 facts about water damage you may not know:

• Broken or Damaged Pipes

This one is the main culprit. Water damage resulting from broken, corroded, or damaged pipes is particularly concerning for commercial properties as you may not notice there is a problem until you either notice a distinct change in your water supply invoice (a hairline crack can cost in the region of $600 per month, depending on the usage), or mold begins to appear.

Either way, you now have a number of issues: fix the broken pipes, remove the excess water, thoroughly dry the affected areas and deal with mold — if there is any. Most of the time, it isn’t even necessary to close the building while the restoration works take place, so you can continue to do business.

• Frozen Pipes

Less common in the Los Angeles area, but a poignant problem in colder climes, frozen pipes are prone to bursting. But it isn’t the freezing itself that causes them to burst. Behind the frozen patches, unfrozen water begins to build up, causing immense pressure that the pipe can’t handle. Then what do you know? A burst pipe, water damage.

• Damaged Sealing Around Windows and Doors

Another very frequent issue in commercial properties is water seeping in through badly maintained or older window and door frames, where the sealant has eroded and is no longer performing its job. Because these areas let smaller quantities of water in, as opposed to flooding; for example, we tend to neglect the issue until mold starts to appear. 

It’s smart to remedy this kind of issue as soon as you begin to notice damp areas on the inside of your commercial building, in order to prevent long-term issues which end up being much more costly, dangerous, and labor-intensive to repair.

• Damaged Roof

Similar to leaky doors and window frames, damaged rooves often go unnoticed; or worse — ignored because we know we have a helluva job on our hands if we are to fix the root cause of the problem. In our experience, small roof cracks get worse over time, which is why it’s a good idea to remedy them as soon as the issue is detected.

• Faulty HVAC System

For large, commercial buildings in temperate climes such as ours here in Los Angeles, the HVAC system is essential. But facility managers have a tendency to leave their maintenance out of regular schedules, as they are usually costly and intricate jobs.

However, water from faulty HVAC systems should be repaired immediately. Not only because they pose a threat of water damage, and mold, but because if we continue to use them when they are not functioning optimally, we are also putting the health of our tenants at risk, as we propagate potential mold spores over the whole building.

• Sub-Optimal Drainage Systems

Filters, drains, and guttering are another top cause of water damage. In outdoor areas, leaves and fallen debris can clog drains and guttering, causing a backup of water that inevitably finds its way down the side walls of the commercial property. If it is well built, you may get away lightly and not experience intense damage. 

But if the walls let the water penetrate, there could be a mold issue coming your way. Teamed with rotten sealant on windows and doors, and we have a recipe for water damage disaster.

• Water Features

Indoor pools, and the pretty fountains and feature walls we so often see in casino lobbies might look the part, but they are another top cause of water damage in commercial properties. The grout and sealant on tiled walls and floors holding the water in place can become worn over time, and the pesky water will be permeating the feature and nestling itself comfortably behind it, waiting for mold to move in.

• Appliances

Industrial washing machines, dishwashers, and the like are a nemesis for damage restoration companies, as they are one of the top causes of water damage in commercial properties. Service your appliances regularly to avoid a problem, call Superdry Restoration, Inc, when there is a problem.

• Severe Weather

Unpredictable and unavoidable: severe weather is one of the main causes of water damage in commercial properties the world over. As it is very difficult to prevent, the only option is to treat the issue at hand; we need to remove the excess surface water (which could pose a health hazard), then dry the area thoroughly with specialist equipment and hope you can get your commercial property back up and running in record time.

After severe weather or extensive water damage, you may be facing a few inches or more of water in your commercial facility. In this instance, there is no home remedy: you need to call on professionals with the experience and equipment necessary to solve the issue. The severity of the water damage can vary depending on the source of the water.

Generally, we divide the types of floodwater into three main categories:

• White water
• Gray water
• Blackwater

(I think in 2022 we could come up with better names for these types of water because they are not actually white, gray, or black in color — how about low-risk water damage, moderate-risk water damage and high-risk water damage? Jus’ sayin’.)

Depending on which of these three types of water damage you have, there are different precautions to take during their cleanup. White water (low-risk water) is generally considered clean and non-hazardous, in which case, your plan of action should be as follows:

1. Ensure the safety of all the users of the building by evacuating them if the water damage is catastrophic, or cordoning off the area if the water damage is localized.
2. Fix the source of the water if the flow is still coming in, such as from a broken pipe. Turn off the water supply as soon as possible, or divert the water if you can find a way to do this safely.
3. Salvage any items you can, moving them to a dry, ventilated area. Some of the items may be able to be restored, others you may, unfortunately, have to replace. Steer clear of electrical items that are plugged in. If they aren’t plugged in, you can move those to a drier area too.
4. Call a damage restoration company. At Superdry Restoration, Inc, we use high-tech extraction pumps to ensure we can eliminate every trace of excess surface water in a safe, effective, and efficient way.
5. Once the surface water is removed, the area needs to be thoroughly dried and dehumidified to prevent mold from settling in — and to make the area safe and useable. We use industrial machinery to dry the carpets and furnishings on your commercial property and can check the integrity of the structure itself, too.
6. Finally, the water-damaged space can be deodorized and disinfected and you can concentrate on moving personal items back in and getting back to normal.

 

Some types of water damage are avoidable, others are more difficult to evade for even the most diligent of facility managers and the strongest of properties. We recommend regular maintenance checks to dodge long-term water damage issues that are much more difficult — and costly — to remedy further down the line.

When you experience water damage on your commercial property, you need an ally that will be on the case as quickly as possible; an approachable company with a professional ethos. Save our number! 855-242-7024