Posted by: Chris Laney on May 17, 2019

5 Ways to Prevent Flooding at Your Commercial Property

Water damage is a common issue in commercial properties. A burst pipe or flooding from inclement weather can cause water to seep into your business. It will also cause large financial costs and headaches. When your property suffers from water damage, not only are you dealing with the clean up and repair, but more than likely you may need to close up the business for a few days. This can lead to loss of income, not to mention the possibility of mold and mildew growth in the building itself.

The best way to deal with water damage in your commercial building is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Take the following steps to help mitigate water damage as best you can and prevent large costs associated with water damage.

Tips to Prevent Water Damage and Flooding

1. Keep the heating and cooling system set at manageable levels. If your building is in a climate that experiences deep freezes, it is important to prevent pipes from freezing. Watch the temperature in your building, making sure the thermostat never falls beneath 50 degrees. This will help prevent freezing pipes which then helps prevent broken pipes. This temperature should be set during the weekend hours as well, even when the building is vacant.
2. Insulate your pipes. We don't see pipes since they are covered by drywall, pipes break and crack due to a number of reasons. A broken pipe can cause a flood instantly, or a small drip can cause water damage over time. Either way, broken pipes can lead to costly flooding. Insulating pipes will keep them warm through dropping temperatures, preventing breakage.
3. Inspect all gutters and drains. During the autumn and winter, leaves and other debris can find its way into the building gutters and downspouts. If these gutters are clogged, water has no place to go and begins to accumulate in the gutters. Eventually water will start spilling over onto your roof. This can lead to leaks in your roof or even seepage from ground level if downspouts are clogged.
4. Seal any crack or gaps that you find in your building's foundation. Small cracks and gaps are perfect places for water to sneak into the lower levels of your property causing water damage in the basement. Untreated, this can lead to problems like mold and mildew that bring about costly issues and health problems!
5. Clear away ice and snow from your roof. Keeping the roof of the building clear from ice and snow will prevent water from seeping into loose shingles or cracks in the roof.

What to Do if Water Damage Occurs

If water damage or flooding happens in your business, call in the professionals at Water Out. Our team is skilled and trained to locate the source of the leak, stop the issue, and dry out your property as quickly as possible.

We will also check the building for any signs of mold or mildew and create a plan of attack to deal with those issues. Water Out will work closely with your insurance company and contractors to replace and restore any areas of your commercial building that require repairs, getting you up and running again as quickly as possible.