SERVPRO shares the six usual suspects of water leakage in commercial spaces

6/13/2021 (Permalink)

Blog summary: The SERVPRO article talks in detail about the causes of water leakage in commercial buildings that can lead to serious water damage if not checked in time.

Common causes of water leakage in commercial properties

Commercial buildings tend to use larger amounts of water than residential buildings owing to the sheer volume of people who visit the premises. Water costs in general are already high in commercial spaces but can become painfully exorbitant if there are unaddressed water leaks. 

Awareness of the common causes of water leaks is the first step towards preventing them. SERVPRO of Grapevine / NE Tarrant County, a commercial water damage restoration company, shares the usual suspects of water leakage in commercial buildings:

1. Roof leaks

Roof leaks pose a grave structural damage risk and can lead to major water leaks that may prove expensive, if not addressed on time.  

1. A nonfunctional drainage system: One square foot of water on the roof is equivalent to five pounds per inch of water. If the drainage system fails, property owners should seek commercial roof repairs to reroute the standing water.
2. Damaged flashing: Flashing undergoes continual expansions and contractions as the temperatures fluctuate, leading to potential tears in the flashing as the roof disintegrates.
3. Deteriorating roofing membranes: Roofing membrane acts as a seal that protects the interiors from outside water. As the roof ages, roofing membranes can split, blister, crack or shrink. 
4. Damaged shingles: Shingles can get damaged or blown away in strong storms, allowing water to enter the building.
5. Ice dams: These are ridges of ice at the roof edges that may form and prevent melting snow from draining off. This blocked water may eventually find its way into the building
6. Gas lines, HVAC units, vents, drains, and pipes: These often run across rooftops, requiring proper securing to prevent leaks inside the commercial property. 

Rain collars, flashing, pipe boots, and field wraps are effective mechanisms to avoid leaks. 

2. Plumbing leaks

Water pipes are often found inside the walls of commercial constructions while other plumbing pipes are located underground. 

1. Burst pipe: A pipe that is cracked or corroded will eventually burst and lead to extensive water damage. 
2. Appliance hose rupture: Hoses on appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and air conditioning units may get ruptured due to corrosion or general wear and tear as they age. 
3. Sprinkler activated: Fire-suppression sprinklers may get activated after a fire has been doused causing water damage.
4. Frozen pipes: During freezing temperatures, pipes can also leak due to frozen water passage. A 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water a day.

Timely maintenance of the plumbing system can prevent these mishaps from occurring.

3. Basement leaks

Minor foundation leaks can explode into a massive, sudden water issue in the guise of floods and structural damage. The reasons could be:

1. Poor waterproofing systems
2. Inferior concrete quality
3. Defects or damage to the waterproofing membrane
4. Insufficient slope

These waterproofing failures allow seepage from clogged drainage, broken pipes, groundwater level rise, and even water features of the above-ground landscaping.

The structural integrity of the basement will be seriously threatened by the high moisture level, as the chloride content of the concrete will cause severe corrosion problems.

4. Plumbing fixture leaks

Plumbing fixtures in commercial buildings, such as toilets and sinks, are extensively used and are, therefore, more likely to spring a leak.

1. Leaking faucets are usually the result of a worn or damaged component. If the rubber washers that create a watertight seal in the faucet, for instance, wear out, the seal will fail and the faucet will leak. 
2. Toilets in commercial buildings (especially ones with public restrooms) wear quickly, allowing water leaks to occur. Common causes of toilet leaks:

• A flapper that doesn’t create a solid seal will allow water to leak from the toilet tank drain
• A fill valve that doesn’t shut off when the toilet tank is refilled will continue to send water into the tank.

These common problem areas can be addressed by repairing on time to avoid even costlier repairs and replacement.

5. Clogged drains

Commercial kitchens and toilets struggle with improper items being rinsed down the drainage system. This results in massive amounts of waste and other debris being flushed down the drains, which often clog the systems and slow the drainage. 

This eventually backs up and leads to leakages, which may warrant a professional water damage restoration.

6. Ceiling leaks

Failure of waterproofing membranes in bathrooms and other wet areas of high-rise buildings can lead to dampness and seepage. Damp patches appear on the ceiling on the lower floor and the dripping water can lead to mold growth and structural damage.

Keeping an eye out for these tell-tale signs can prevent a lot of unnecessary damage. 

Leak detection systems 

The best bet against water leaks is a commercial water leak detection system, passive or active. The common systems used by commercial buildings are:

• Wireless water leak detectors – The building is retrofitted with wireless sensors that spark a local alarm and deliver notifications by phone, text, and email to the building managers in case of a leak.
• Cloud-based sensors – Cloud-based sensors are placed at sites of potential leaks – sinks, toilets, basements, and plumbing chases. These collect data from all units into a single portal to be monitored by the building operators.
• Automated sensors – These advanced water leak sensors automatically shut off the water supply in certain applications in the event of a leak.

In case of water damage, commercial businesses must contact commercial cleaning service companies such as SERVPRO of Grapevine / NE Tarrant County for swift and efficient water damage restoration.

Why SERVPRO?

• SERVPRO uses state-of-the-art equipment to bring the damaged property back to its original state. SERVPRO of Grapevine / NE Tarrant County is always updating its fleet and equipment so clients in Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, or anywhere else can quickly access the services. 

• With over 1,700 US and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned to respond faster to an emergency of any magnitude.

• The SERVPRO staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. They receive initial in-house training and constant skill up-gradation at the corporate training facility and also acquire the regular IICRC-industry certification.

For commercial water damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Grapevine / NE Tarrant County today at (817) 595-2506 or e-mail at office@SERVPROheb.com