There are six common causes of commercial water damage throughout the nation. These are storm water runoff, clogged pipes, overflowing pipes, faulty plumbing fixtures, and mold contamination. All of these can result in water damage, which can also become costly if proper restoration techniques are not utilized. In fact, some forms of this damage may never be able to be completely repaired. However, there are several ways that commercial businesses can take certain steps to prevent water loss or damage of any kind.
One of the most obvious things that can result in damage is pipe congestion. When pipes get backed up, they can cause stagnating water levels in the gutters, downspouts, and downpipes. This can lead to blocked drains which will cause excess pressure on incoming storm water drains. When pipes get backed up, they can also damage the roof, ceilings, walls, doors, and flooring. If the problem is not fixed quickly, then it will result in major damage to the structure of your building and extensive flooding of surrounding areas.
Leakage can also occur when water accumulates in pipes because of a crack or other type of defect. Cracks or other defects in copper piping can often cause the water to leak out into the soil. Sometimes, these pipes are simply plugged and left that way without being repaired.
Another cause of water loss or damage is condensation. When rain or snow falls on the surfaces, it can evaporate quickly, leaving behind dampness and ice. This moisture can form pools on surfaces, which can cause many types of structural damage, such as buckling, sagging, rotting, corrosion, and moisture problems within the walls and even under the roof. In addition, the water from these pools can cause mold and mildew to form on surrounding areas which can promote the growth of airborne diseases.
When you consider all of these causes, it becomes obvious why it is so important to repair or replace your damaged pipes promptly. Condensation and freeze damage can be the result of a broken pipe, clogged drainage system, or faulty water heater. Any one of these issues can cause your water lines to burst, resulting in large amounts of water loss and structural damage throughout your home.
Another way to cause damage is by the surface of the pipes themselves. For example, tree roots are notorious for causing massive amounts of water loss over long periods of time. Roots are attracted to certain types of materials, such as iron, copper, or plastic. In addition, tree roots can also cause damage beneath the surface of the pipes by forcing their way through small holes or cracks. Fortunately, when this happens, it is often much too late to do much in terms of repairing your pipes.
The final cause of water leaks is caused by rain. When the area receives an excessive amount of rainfall, the combined effects of raindrops, snow, ice, and other melt-offs can cause your underground water lines to be damaged. As a result, your house might not be able to handle the volume of water that was initially generated due to the water damage, which means you will have to invest in new, more efficient, water lines or find a way to divert water away from your home prior to it being damaged.
Of course, none of these are even remotely the best causes of water damage. It should be apparent that getting rid of your leaking pipes and rectifying other potential causes is the best way to prevent large amounts of water loss from occurring in the first place. But even after you have gotten rid of the source of the leak, it is only a small step towards keeping your home safe. If you want to avoid having to deal with water damage in the future, make sure that you take care of it right away.