Water damage in Olathe, KS, doesn’t care if your property is a personal residence or a business building. It can occur anywhere and for a number of reasons. But commercial water damage can often have cascading impacts that don’t occur with residential water damage. When your office is shut down for water removal and repairs, you lose income, your employees miss out on work, and you may even drive away customers who don’t appreciate the inconvenience. It’s important to understand the most common causes of water damage in an office so you can take steps to prevent it from occurring. Keep reading to learn more.
Damaged Windows
Windows in your office are supposed to let the sunlight and the view in while keeping the elements out. But if your windows are cracked or not properly sealed, moisture can seep in when it rains. Though it might not be devastating flood damage, that moisture can lead to warped wood, damaged drywall, and mold growth. Eventually, you’ll have to shut down work in at least that area of the office to repair the damage.
If you notice a window that is leaking, get it fixed right away instead of waiting for severe damage to occur. Reseal your windows regularly, and replace any cracked panes as soon as you notice them.
Damaged Pipes
Offices need plumbing just like homes do, but there’s always the possibility that a pipe can start leaking or even burst, leading to water damage. Broken pipes occur due to sudden changes in pressure, deteriorated pipe materials, and freezing. If you see any signs of a leaky pipe—water spots, bulging drywall, musty smells, etc.—get them fixed right away to avoid further water damage. Additionally, have your plumbing regularly inspected to catch potential problems before they occur and ensure all exposed pipes are properly insulated for winter.
Roof Leaks
Just as windows can leak, your business’s roof can leak too. Depending on your company’s situation, the roof may be a problem managed by a landlord. However, if you notice water spots on the ceiling and suspect the roof is leaking above your office, you should push to have it inspected and repaired as soon as possible. If that leak leads to catastrophic damage, it’s your business that will be shut down during repairs.
Improper Drainage
Improper drainage around your commercial building can allow water to seep in through the foundation and can even lead to foundational damage. It’s important that the ground around your building be sloped slightly away to allow for moisture to move away from your foundation. Additionally, make sure gutters are cleared regularly so that rainwater is funneled through downspouts and redirected away from the property. Again, this might be something your landlord should handle, but you should push to get it corrected if you notice a problem.
HVAC Problems
HVAC systems can also carry (or even produce) moisture. For example, your commercial AC unit will develop condensation as it cools the air in your building. If the HVAC system is not functioning properly, this condensation can leak through the floor of the room housing the HVAC system and into the space below—which could be your office. To prevent this, ducts should be cleaned and inspected regularly, and excess water from condensation reservoirs should be removed to prevent overflowing and subsequent water damage.
While the tips above can help prevent commercial water damage, it’s not always avoidable. If you have water damage in your office, look for a water cleanup company in Olathe, KS, to minimize the damage and get back to business as soon as possible.