As a commercial business owner in Portland, what should you do if your building suffers water damage? Like residential properties, commercial buildings are also susceptible to water damage. Knowing what to do, including who to call for water restoration services, is the first step.
Keep reading to learn more.
Common Causes of Water Damage in Commercial Buildings
Generally speaking, there are four common causes of water damage in commercial buildings. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, these are the most typical scenarios in which our commercial clients suffer water damage:
1. Severe Weather
The first one is poor weather. Portland is notorious for having a severe rainy season. If your roof wasn’t in great shape before the storm, this could make it easier for the rain to drip in from the ceiling. Likewise, if severe weather brings forth a hurricane or flood, this could also cause severe water damage and mold.
Unfortunately, there isn’t always much you can do to offset the damage caused by an unexpected flood or hurricane, especially since chances are good that you’re not going to be at the office when it strikes.
2. Burst Pipes
Though burst pipes occur at all times of the year, they’re more common during the winter season when temperatures drop. Some of the coldest nights in Portland can be around 20 degrees F. Keep in mind that water pipes burst at 20 degrees F or under.
If the forecast predicts low temps, it’s recommended that commercial building owners drip their faucets to allow the free flow of water. This helps prevent the pipes from freezing and then bursting. Another problem is that many commercial buildings may have older, rusty pipes. As such, it puts their pipes at a disadvantage when winter weather arrives.
Unfortunately, a burst pipe can cause a lot of water damage in your break area and bathrooms, soaking carpets and causing mold. This is especially true if the pipe bursts over the weekend and you don’t realize it until the next business day.
3. Leaky or Broken Sprinkler Systems
If you have a commercial building, chances are you also have a sprinkler system installed. A sprinkler system goes off if there is a fire in the building. However, sometimes these sprinkler systems can be broken or defective.
In most cases, a sprinkler will leak water when the valve is open or if there is some sort of blockage. This can be nearly impossible to detect with the naked eye. As such, a broken sprinkler system is usually only treated after water damage has occurred.
Unlike a burst pipe, which may keep damage isolated depending on where it’s located, a sprinkler system will damage everything. This includes the walls, carpet, and furniture beneath it.
4. Clogged Gutters
Like regular homes, commercial buildings also have gutters. Gutters move water in such a way that doesn’t lead to damage. However, if your building’s gutters are clogged, this may force water over the sides of the gutters. If your windows aren’t properly sealed, it could lead to small amounts of water damage.
Why Hiring Professional Water Restoration Services is So Important if You Have Commercial Water Damage
Regardless of whether it occurs at a residential or commercial property, water damage is serious. First and foremost, water damage leads to the development of mold. Mold grows in as little as 24 hours after water exposure.
So, if you have a broken pipe or water leak on Friday night, the office will already have mold Monday morning. Mold not only smells bad, but it leads to severe structural issues inside your building and causes illness for everyone who works there.
When left untreated, mold leads to headaches, skin rashes, coughing, and sneezing. Though it may not lead to the insomnia that residential homeowners face while sleeping in a mold-infested room, it can make symptoms for certain people worse. For example, mold may exacerbate asthma symptoms.
As a commercial business owner, you need to treat mold as seriously as you’d treat any other building problem. This is why hiring water restoration services is so critical. It helps protect the structural integrity of your building, as well as the safety of everyone who works in it.
Need Quality Water Restoration Services? Contact the Team at PNW Restoration in Portland, OR For Help
Homeowners don’t want to deal with water damage and mold. And neither do commercial business owners.
When it happens, it can lead to serious issues and ailments, requiring prompt attention and treatment. If your commercial building has suffered water damage, reach out to PNW Restoration.
We have years of experience treating severe water damage and mold so you can resume day-to-day operations with little to no interruption. Every member of our team is IICRC certified (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification). Call us today at (971) 247-3661 to schedule our comprehensive water restoration services.
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