Ways That Commercial Property Owners Can Avoid Water Damage To Their Business

8/8/2018 (Permalink)

A coffee maker supply line leak at this office building caused an entire floor to flooded with water.

If you run a business in the Southbury area or own commercial property that you lease out, it is especially important that you are vigilant about water leaks. 

Whether water is leaking in your building due to a plumbing leak, an appliance malfunction or a leaky roof, even a small amount of excess water can lead to significant water damage repair costs. Here are some warning signs that action is needed to protect your property from water damage. 

• Water Bill. Keep an eye on your water bill. An unusually high water bill can indicate a plumbing leak. 
• Sinks for a leaking pipe joint or P-trap. 
• Appliances. Check behind and under refrigerators and dishwashers for any moisture. Appliance leaks often show degradation do the floors they are on top of, such as peeling of vinyl, water stains on the concrete or warping of wood. 
• Appliance Supply Lines. Check the supply lines to make sure they are sound and free of wear or corrosion. Don’t forget to check your pod style coffee maker, so popular in offices nowadays. We recently mitigated water damage at a commercial property in which the coffee maker supply line burst, causing a flood throughout the facility! 
• Toilets – Check for broken toilet tank flappers. If a toilet is not flushing properly, is leaking or running have your plumber repair it as soon as possible.  
• Smells. If your tenants notice an odd or foul smell, it could be a sign of a sewage issue and should not be ignored.  
• Ceilings and Walls. Water stains on the walls and ceilings directly below bathrooms are an indication of a pipe leak and should be inspected.  
• Roof. Because of their flat roofs and rooftop HVAC systems, commercial properties are at risk of water damage due to a leaky roof.  Keep an eye out for stains on the ceiling, a musty smell in the attic, peeling paint around your skylights as well as damaged shingles and flashing. 

One of your most important resources in avoiding water damage at your commercial property is your tenants and employees.  If you lease space to others, whether at a shopping center or office park, educate your tenants on the warning signs of a water leak. In our experience, most tenants are very cooperative in keeping an eye out for things such as moldy smells and stained walls. Their business depends on staying open and it’s in their best interest for potential problems to be addressed.  Let your tenants know that you are open to reports of problems at the facility, no matter how small they may seem.  If you own a business, let your employees know what to look out for. Assign somebody to inspect for potential issues on a weekly basis.  

Every commercial property owner should have a good relationship with a local plumber. When you have a problem, it will ensure that you have prompt and quality service.

If you have a water leak or flooding at your Torrington area business, call us at (203) 267-6262 for immediate service. We understand the importance of cleaning up water in commercial properties quickly and have a team on call 24-7 ready to respond to your call.