As a business owner, your building is your biggest asset. As hard as you focus on keeping your commercial property protected, you can't always prevent problems like pipe bursts, frozen plumbing lines, backed-up drains, or a flood from occurring.
Every commercial building is different, but each is at risk for water damage. Even a minor roof or pipe leak can lead to unwanted water intrusion and negatively impact the value of your property. Here are 12 water damage facts every business owner needs to know:
1. PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE MAY STOP WATER DAMAGE ACCIDENTS
Get into the habit of inspecting certain elements throughout your building on a regular basis. Commercial water damage preventative maintenance tasks can include inspecting gutters, the roof, plumbing lines, and drains. If necessary, have an expert inspect your building once or twice a year to help ensure everything is in proper condition.
2. ROOF LEAKS ARE A COMMON SOURCE OF COMMERCIAL WATER DAMAGE
Just a small roof leak can cause major havoc on a commercial building. Even if your roof is in excellent condition, the likelihood of a roof leak is prevalent in areas where severe wind, freezing temperatures, and hail are frequent.
3. EVEN MINOR EXISTING LEAKS CAN LEAD TO MAJOR PROBLEMS
If left unchecked, minor plumbing malfunctions can cause extensive water damage. If you don't properly maintain your plumbing, your insurance company may not cover the costs associated with normal wear and tear.
4. THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATER CONTAMINATION
There are three different types of water contamination: white water, gray water, and black water. The proper clean-up and safety procedures associated with commercial water damage vary depending on the type of water contamination. For that reason, it’s best to leave the water extraction, clean-up, and restoration to the professionals.
5. YOUR INSURANCE MAY NOT COVER ALL TYPES OF WATER DAMAGE
Some insurance policies cover sudden water damage, but there may be certain exclusions that apply. Typically, a standard insurance policy does not cover flood damage at all. For that reason, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with your specific policy to make sure you have ample protection.
6. YOU MAY NEED TO PURCHASE A SEPARATE FLOOD INSURANCE POLICY
There are different insurance policies for water and flood damage. If you live in an area prone to flooding, you may need to purchase a standalone flood insurance policy. Contact your insurance agent to determine if you need additional coverage.
7. IF WATER DAMAGE OCCURS, CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY IMMEDIATELY
Once commercial water damage happens, call your insurance company right away so your insurance agent can begin filing a claim. The company may be able to guide you through the initial steps you'll need to take to keep your property protected, too.
8. TIMELINESS IS A NECESSITY
When water damage threatens your property, knowing how to handle the situation in a timely manner can make a tremendous difference. If you know the basics of what to do once it happens, you can help prevent further damage.
9. EXTRACTION IS THE BEST APPROACH TO MITIGATING WATER DAMAGE
If not taken care of immediately, excess water can lead to costly damage to your building's structure. An experienced restoration company like ServiceMaster Restore understands how to reduce the amount of water damage that happens after a major leak, flood or other problem occurs. Hiring a professional company to extract all water helps ensure that even hidden moisture underneath flooring or in the walls is properly removed.
10. DIFFERENT MATERIALS REQUIRE DIFFERENT CLEANING PROTOCOLS
After water damage, some materials like concrete and hard surfaces may be salvageable, while others such as ceiling tiles and cellulose insulation may need to be completely discarded. Learn more about water damage mold prevention procedures for different types of materials with these guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
11. PROBLEMS MAY NOT END WHEN THE WATER IS GONE
Even after the water is removed, moisture can hide in walls and underneath floors, eventually leading to mold growth. It's important to have a mold prevention specialist inspect your building to ensure mold isn’t growing or spreading through your property.
12. MOLD CAN GROW QUICKLY
Once water damage has occurred, mold can develop in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Excess water, moisture, and humid conditions should be taken care of right away to reduce the risk of mold growth.
CALL THE EXPERTS
If disaster strikes, contact us, the professionals. We understand how to deal with all of the complexities surrounding water damage restoration, and our trained and knowledgeable specialists are ready to get your company back to normal. Available 24/7 every day of the year, we’re committed to restoring your facility as quickly as possible. Contact us today to learn more about our water damage services.
