Typical Causes of Water Damage in Commercial Buildings

9/6/2021 (Permalink)

If you're facing the challenges of water damage in your commercial space, give SERVPRO of East Greenville County a call today!

Unexpected flooding in commercial buildings can happen very quickly, especially if there is no one on site to notice the problem. What starts out as a small water leak can instantly turn into something larger, and cause significant damage. If your commercial building isn’t in pristine condition, there is a much higher chance of water damage occurring. Here are some of the typical causes that commercial buildings face in terms of water damage:

1. Backed up Sewer Lines. Bathrooms are a common source of possible problems.  Sewer lines can get backed up and release water into the building.  This type of water damage is extremely dangerous because the water is filled with contaminants and hazardous waste.
2. Damaged Appliances. Almost every office has a break room or a kitchen.  Most often, these rooms have a dishwasher or refrigerator in them and when these appliances malfunction, they can leave a significant amount of water in the area, flooding the entire room or more.
3. Malfunctioning Sprinklers. All commercial properties are equipped with an overhead sprinkler system as required by law.  The sprinklers work in conjunction with the fire alarm, and it is activated when the fire alarm goes off.  This causes water damage in two ways.  First, the smoke will set off the fire alarms, activating sprinklers causing water damage.  And second, if the sprinkler system malfunctions and activates on its own, water can cover the entire building.
4. Broken Pipes. Cracked and broken pipes are a very common occurrence in commercial buildings, especially as they age.  When a pipe bursts, water rushes out of them, spraying throughout the entire building.  A busted pipe can cause damage to the ceilings, walls, flooring and any other contents occupying the space.