SERVPRO: 7 tips to prevent water damage in your office building

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Blog summary: The SERVPRO blog offers insights into the steps commercial building owners can take to protect their property from water damage.

Maintenance tips to protect your commercial building from water damage

Water damage in commercial buildings can lead to major losses in terms of repair costs, disrupted business operations as well as revenue loss. Some catastrophic events such as storms cannot be prevented but business owners can prevent water damage events caused due to lack of maintenance, faulty plumbing, or malfunctioning appliances. SERVPRO, a commercial water damage restoration company, shares some maintenance tips for commercial property owners to prevent water damage incidents.

1. Inspect the building envelope

A regular and detailed inspection of the building envelope elements such as foundation, walls, doorways, roofing systems, and windows can help detect any wear and tear over time. Any envelope elements that are functioning beyond their expected lifespan must be carefully inspected so timely repairs can be made. 

1. Check the gutters

Cleaning the gutters is crucial to prevent water from seeping in through the roof or foundation. When debris such as leaves blocks the gutters, the water collects on the roof, or flows over the edge to pool around the building’s perimeter, the standing water will then start permeating into the structure causing serious damage. Therefore cleaning the gutters regularly is essential to prevent water damage.

1. Plumbing repairs and upgrades

The high-volume usage of plumbing fixtures in a commercial building warrants a regular repair and upgrade. As the fixtures get older, their functionality decreases and a leak becomes likely. A plumbing inspection by a professional must be conducted to ensure that pipes and fixtures are repaired or upgraded on time.   

1. Roofs

Most commercial building roofs are fitted with HVAC units, vent pipes, and other building system elements. The roofs are also often places where debris such as leaves, sand, and abrasives collect, and signages or billboards are installed. Building owners must get their roofs inspected for any possible broken seals and leakages. Flat roofs should be given special attention as even a little debris can cause a massive blockage leading to losses.

1. Wall systems

A regular inspection of the exterior wall system is necessary to identify any imminent problems. With multiple openings due to lighting, HVAC system elements, air intakes, and window joints, the risk of water intrusion multiplies. Moreover, aging brick joints and damaged sealants increase the water damage risks. An inspection and a timely repair of these issues can protect the building from water intrusion. 

1. Windows

During window maintenance, the window joints, weep holes and flashings should be checked for seal integrity. All the locks and cranks should function at their best. The walls around the windows and the window glass must be checked for any damage. Any fogging would suggest a seal failure that must be amended immediately. The window systems in a commercial building are an important protection against the outside elements and must be kept in prime condition. 

1. Professional maintenance

An in-house inspection is great to keep things in working order. However, a professional team such as SERVPRO has the eye to detect the slightest, most obscure issues, arrest them immediately, and correct them with accuracy. A regular maintenance plan with a professional is a sure-shot way to prevent any water damage in commercial spaces. 

Why SERVPRO?

SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford specializes in restoring residential and commercial properties damaged by water, fire, mold, and storm. With its state-of-the-art equipment, the company’s IICRC-certified technicians efficiently and swiftly bring a damaged property back to its preloss state. SERVPRO has 1900 strategically positioned franchises all across the US and Canada that enable a swift response to an emergency of any magnitude, anywhere in the country. Offering the best services in the industry, SERVPRO’s team undergoes constant skill up-gradation and uses the latest technology and equipment to restore properties. Additionally, as the preferred restoration partner for most insurance companies, SERVPRO eases the insurance claims process for its clients. 

Learn more about SERVPRO’s commercial restoration services. Contact Team Shaw of Hurst-Euless-Bedford today at (817) 595-0004 or e-mail at office@SERVPROheb.com