9 Ways To Prevent Water Damage in Your Business

11/3/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding in your business can bring operations to a full stop for days.

Preventing business water damage is something every commercial property owner should think about. Water leaks can cause costly damages to your business and even force you to close until the issue is resolved and repaired. Here, we will go over tips to help keep your small or large business running even in the event of water damage or flooding.

9 Tips To Prevent Business Water Damage

1. Take steps to prevent burst pipes. When temperatures drop in the winter, exposed pipes near exterior walls or in unheated areas of your business are at risk of freezing and causing a major flood. Prevent frozen pipes by insulating them and keeping the heat at a sufficient level.
2. Know where the main water shutoff valve is. When a pipe breaks or an appliance lets go, shutting off the water as soon as possible is the key to preventing major flooding and water damage in your business. Be sure to know where the shutoff valve is, label it, and be sure your employees are aware of its location as well.
3. Inspect your gutters and drainage system at least once a year. Leaves and other debris can make their way into your gutters and prevent it from correctly navigating water away from the building. This can cause water damage to the exterior of the building as well as cause water seepage into the interior.
4. Inspect and keep your roof clear. The best way to save money on roof repairs in the long run is to catch issues when they are still small. Catching a roof leak early can prevent thousands of dollars worth of water damage and possible mold remediation in your business.
5. Regularly inspect water supply line hoses to appliances. This includes refrigerators, washing machines, ice makers, and other appliances that use water. When these come loose, they have a slow leak over time that causes mold and mildew to grow, or can possibly cause a flooded basement. Replace hoses every 3-5 years or once they are clearly worn to prevent them from failing.
6. Invest in regular maintenance for your HVAC and plumbing systems. Having a professional coming out to inspect all of these aspects in your business once a year can prevent a water disaster. They can ensure there are no clogs in AC lines, that water heaters and furnaces are working correctly, and identify any potential issues before they cause damage.
7. Invest in a water detection system. Water leak detection systems can sense potential or active water leaks and automatically shut off the water when a irregular flow or moisture is detected. This is extremely helpful for places in your business you don't frequent and may not realize there is a small leak until it turns into a large flood.
8. Establish a water emergency plan. Rapid response is essential when it comes to minimizing the damages from a water leak or flooding. Creating a plan will help to ensure you mitigate damages as much as possible. Contact and set up an account with a local water damage restoration company so that they can respond to your emergency at a moment's notice and are already familiar with your commercial building.
9. Protect your business with commercial property insurance. Commercial water damage can become very pricey to pay out of pocket, so it is best to be covered in the case of a disaster.

Taking these water damage prevention steps should keep your business prepared in the case of major property damage from plumbing failures, flooding, or water leaks.

Commercial Water Damage? Call SERVPRO - 800-734-3213

SERVPRO of Morristown is a 24/7 emergency cleanup & restoration company, specializing in water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, and COVID-19 disinfection services. Whatever the disaster, call SERVPRO of Morristown to make it "Like it never even happened."