Water damage is bad enough as a homeowner, but as a business owner it can be even more stressful. Dealing with commercial water damage means that quick action and intervention are critical. If water damage has affected your commercial or residential property, water damage remediation and restoration are often necessary. There are so many primary and secondary types of water damage to be aware of as a property owner. Handling these ASAP can also lessen your chances of future and more serious long-term issues on your commercial property.
Today, we will learn some of the many types and common causes of commercial water damage. Learning about what causes water damage can help you recognise early warning signs and take action.
Furthermore, we will explore some ways you can help prevent water damage by staying on top of commercial property inspections and maintenance. Then we will explore what you should do if your property is suffering from water damage. Next, we will dive into property and water damage insurance basics, followed by our water remediation services.
Commercial Water Damage Restoration
At PNW Restoration, our water damage restoration and remediation team is eager to help you avoid the many dangers of water damage. From health risks to serious long-term structural damage, handling water damage is a delicate matter. Our team is fully OSHA trained and certified and follows strict IICRC guidelines for all of our services. We also wear the right personal protective gear on every job to ensure your safety, our safety, and the safety of your customers. It is our mission to help commercial property owners tackle water damage fast with our streamlined step-by-step process.
When it comes to commercial water damage remediation & restoration services, our team at PNW is here to help! We specialize in water damage, extraction, and remediation for all types of commercial and residential properties. Give us a call and/or visit our website now to get started with your free consultation.
What is Water Damage?
The term “water damage” can be used quite broadly to describe various types of loss caused by water intruding and causing destruction. Water damage can include material objects such as personal belongings as well as structural items. In structural water damage cases, surfaces and structural support systems on your property can be compromised. Common types of structural damage include warping and rotting of floorboards, walls, ceilings, foundations, and basement support systems.
Damage to electrical systems, plumbing systems, and sewer systems can also be categories of water damage. In some cases, water damage is a slow process that might not be detected unless proper inspections occur. In other cases, water damage is fast and caused by unforeseen circumstances such as changes in water levels, recent weather conditions, and flooding.
After any type of water damage, many hazards could be present. Acting fast to remediate any damage associated with these hazards is essential to combating further issues. Furthermore, quick action when it comes to commercial water damage can help prevent health concerns for you, your staff, and your customers.
Types & Causes of Commercial Water Damage
In the commercial setting, there are numerous causes and types of water damage. Water damage can be caused by both natural factors (like rainfall) as well as human factors (clogged pipes). We will learn about some of the common commercial water damage types to best be prepared for early warning signs.
Human Causes of Commercial Water Damage
1. Roofs
Roof leaks are one of the leading causes of damage to commercial properties. Water leaks on roofs can occur when shingles or other roofing materials are weakened over time. An annual roof inspection can help you detect weaknesses that could cause a leak, especially in heavy rainfall or stormy weather. Making an investment in roof repairs might seem pricey upfront but often saves you more money in the long term by avoiding water damage.
2. Toilets/Improper Disposal
Improper disposal of non-flushable items in toilet systems can also lead to commercial water damage. Training employees on proper disposal of chemicals and cleaning materials is one way to alleviate the chances of this occurring.
3. No Regular Inspections
All plumbing and appliance systems need regular inspections. You should look up what is recommended for the systems in place on your commercial property. However, at a minimum an annual inspection is wise to detect possible issues that may worsen over time.
4. Sprinkler Systems
Another type of commercial water damage can occur from sprinkler systems going off. Sometimes this occurs accidentally, and other times it happens due to smoke alarms or a fire. In case of fire, the water damage is sometimes worse than the initial fire damage itself. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of this damage, although it is not always avoidable.
5. Water Heaters
Issues with your water heater can actually cause commercial water damage. Replacing old and outdated water heater systems might be one way to avoid potential damage. However, if damage does occur, calling the team at PNW Restoration is the best course of action for your commercial water damage needs.
6. Sewage Issues
Of course, sewage issues are also a stinky reality when it comes to commercial water damage. Sewage backups, overflows, or sewage system malfunctions of all types can quickly cause major problems, even forcing your business to temporarily close. Sewage system inspections can often detect minor issues early before they can escalate into more serious concerns.
Natural Causes of Commercial Water Damage
1. Weather Conditions
Severe weather conditions can lead to water damage on your commercial property. In fact, this is the leading natural cause of commercial water damage. Anything from increased heavy rainfall to flooding, stormy conditions, hurricanes, and other tropical storms can cause extensive property damage. Even if your property is not in the direct line of severe weather, it can fall victim to water damage if it rests in a low-lying region or is an older property. Knowing how to prepare your property before extreme weather strikes is one way to alleviate the amount of property damage that might occur.
2. Natural Aging of Plumbing Systems
Another type of commercial water damage is caused by the natural aging of plumbing systems. Over time, even the most robust plumbing systems succumb to aging, corrosion, and rust. When this occurs, they can be compromised and require replacement or be at risk for leaks or bursting. Annual plumbing inspections are the best way to stay on top of plumbing issues.
3. Tree Roots in Sewer Lines
Finally, tree roots can invade sewer lines and systems and cause extensive property damage. If this is a concern on your commercial property, you can have an inspection to detect how close tree roots are to sewage systems. Another action you can take is to have trees removed. However, this is expensive. In many cases, close monitoring of these systems is a better course of action.
What Happens When Water Damage Has Occurred on Your Commercial Property?
When water damage has happened on your commercial property, what should you do? Handling water damage on your property is not always a clear step-by-step process, as it will depend on the type and cause of the damage. However, some general steps to follow if water damage has happened at your business are listed here.
First, report the damage to a water damage specialist who handles commercial properties. At PNW Restoration, we are happy to answer your call 24/7. Then, if it’s safe to do so, clean up any water that might cause further damage. Remember that standing water, water near electrical systems, or contaminated water sources are not safe to interact with. Leave this to a professional. You can also turn on fans, open windows, and use a dehumidifier to start extracting moisture on your property until the professionals arrive. Remain calm and document damage for insurance purposes. Remember, professionals in commercial water damage can also help you take the next steps to begin remediating your property fast!
Some Principles of Water Damage Commercial Insurance
Handling water damage at your place of business can be challenging. However, if you are prepared with commercial water damage insurance, it can be a little less stressful. Our team at PNW Restoration is happy to help you document damage for reporting to your insurance company. We recommend shopping for a simple but well-covered insurance policy if available for your business. You never know when disaster might strike, and being prepared is critical.
PNW Commercial Water Damage Restoration and Remediation Services
At PNW Restoration, commercial water damage and restoration services are the heart of what we provide. Our team offers a 24/7 response that is dedicated to helping your commercial property tackle water damage fast. Whether you require simple water damage replacement, repairs, or more extensive remediation efforts, we can help.
All of our technicians are IICRC certified and follow strict regulations from OSHA. PNW Restoration’s water remediation services are streamlined to quickly alleviate further property damage while removing contaminants for your health and safety. We can tackle all types of commercial water damage emergencies of any scope. Contact us now to get started!
Our Process of Water Remediation on Commercial Properties
At PNW Restoration, we have worked hard to perfect and streamline the commercial water damage process. Our process is designed to take a proven step-by-step approach to handling water damage on your commercial property. We can work with your business to tackle basic repairs, restoration, and remodeling efforts associated with recent water damage.
With each case being unique, we take our basic step-by-step approach and tailor each stage to your unique situation. This ensures that no damage or possible concern gets overlooked at any stage in the process.
Our team works fast to shorten any possible amount of time that your business might need to be closed. Learn more about our process on our website today! Here are the steps we take at a glance!
Step 1: Initial Consultation & Inspection
When you contact us, we first begin by getting to know you and your business. Our initial consultation is usually conducted over the phone, followed by an on-site inspection. This allows us to see the damage ourselves and create the best action plan for remediation. We can also advise you on temporary measures or next steps you might need to enact at your business during restoration. We look out for hazards that could pose a threat to employees and customers alike. With the PNW Restoration team acting fast, you can rest assured a quick plan of action is in place from the start.
Step 2: Water Extraction and Removal
Next, we initiate water extraction procedures. In some cases, there is not much standing water on-site. However, moisture from water damage can seep into all types of surfaces on your premises. Therefore, handling water extraction is critical to preventing the development of mildew and mold. We use industrial machinery such as dryers, dehumidifiers, and vacuums to extract water from all surfaces. Surfaces that might harbor harmful water molecules include walls, ceilings, furniture, drapery, and other areas on your commercial property.
Step 3: Drying Out
After water has been removed, we can begin to dry out the area. Sometimes this process can begin with opening a few windows, but adding industrial fans and dryers is also critical. Overall, this step can vary in duration depending on the type and extent of water damage on your commercial property.
Step 4: Repair and Restoration Efforts
Next, any repairs or basic restoration efforts will be conducted. We always start with the smaller issues and then progressively tackle major issues that might need to be addressed. Again, this will vary depending on the nature of your commercial water damage. We handle everything from pipe repairs to major restoration such as tear-outs, new flooring, drywall replacement, and beyond. Our team is happy to go over the efforts that may be required at your place of business in the aftermath of sustained water damage.
Step 5: Final Inspection
Finally, we never want to leave a job site without ensuring everything has been done correctly. Therefore, we always conduct a final inspection of your commercial property before we leave. We give you a chance to ask any final questions or let us know your concerns during this time as well. After checking on any remaining concerns, we sanitize and clean up our work site to leave it cleaner than before. Our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee helps assure you that we will come back and do the job again if it’s not done right the first time.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, commercial water damage can happen to anyone. There are both natural and human causes of water damage, although many factors are beyond your control. As a business owner, tackling the aftermath of commercial water damage can be stressful. However, having a step-by-step action plan in place is a great way to alleviate stress and act quickly. Your action plan can start with a simple phone call to the team at PNW Restoratio. We are your local water damage restoration specialists in both residential and commercial water damage.
At PNW Restoration, we can tackle all types and degrees of water damage on commercial properties. We not only work to resolve basic issues such as leaky pipes; we also tackle major concerns such as entirely reconstructing a water-damaged property after flooding. Learn more about everything we have to offer, our certified team of professionals, and our timeline on our website. You can also learn about some of the other services we offer commercial properties. From helping with your water damage insurance policy to restoring your commercial property, we are here to help.
Our professional technicians are IICRC certified and practice strict guidelines posted by the IICRC organization. We offer 24/7 emergency water remediation services. We welcome your questions and feedback, and we’re eager to help you get started with the services you need today. Just visit our website or contact PNW Restoration by phone at (971) 247-3381. to begin your free consultation.
