Leaks and flooding can cause water damage in commercial buildings throughout the Kansas City metro area. Resulting in safety issues and a very large bill in order to repair it. Not only can water damage walls and flooring, but it can also cause mold and mildew. This can affect the integrity of the structure, but what you’ll more likely notice is that water damage stinks!
6 Ways to Prevent Water Damage in Commercial Buildings
1. Inspect Pipes
Visually inspect all your visible pipes quarterly. If you have to schedule it on a calendar, do it. Inspecting pipes is a very simple way to avoid sustained water damage by catching leaking toilets or sinks before the water has a chance to penetrate cabinetry, flooring, and other building materials. This doesn’t have to be a professional inspection. A simple but attentive visual and touch inspection is enough to detect any puddles or drips.
2. Upgrade Old Fixtures
Commercial fixtures are used much more than residential, so make sure they are qualified and can handle high volume. If you try to save money with cheap fixtures during construction, you’re asking for water damage. Add to this the fact that employees may not notify the proper people if there is breakage, and you’re in for a big bill. Save money in the long run by buying quality initially.
Installing a metal roof in a commercial space, for example, could be a better option than a traditional roofing system. Such roofs tend to utilize Stainless Steel Channel and beams that can be rustproof. This in turn could provide better durability. Metal roofs tend to have a lifespan of 50-60 years, which is 2-3 times longer than conventional roofs. They also contribute to the building’s energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. During the winter, a well-insulated building with a metal roof can help reduce heat loss. If interested in installing a metal roof at your place, you may contact professional roofing experts by visiting websites like https://commercialroofinggreenville.com/. Since the lifetime cost of a metal roof is significantly lower than the costs of other types of roofing, it is generally preferred over conventional roofing systems. Metal roofs require a higher initial investment but tend to provide impressive returns over the life of the building.
3. Check Gutters Regularly
If your gutters get clogged or become displaced, water damage in commercial buildings is common through the roof. Check gutters twice a year, more frequently if your building has overhanging trees.
4. Roof Inspections
Roof inspections should also happen twice a year, once before winter weather and once after the winter weather. It doesn’t have to be a professional inspection unless your roofing type calls for it. For example, if you have a commercial property with a roof in poor condition, we recommend contacting some Commercial Roofers to get the work done. Don’t ever attempt to fix the roof yourself. However, a quick visual inspection can help to detect any major malfunctions.
5. Waterproof foundation
If your basement leaks when it rains or if you over-water, you need to get your foundation waterproofed. It is a chore, and it will involve some backhoes, but it is worth every cent.
6. Maintain Sump Pump
Even with a waterproofed foundation, water can still enter basements in areas with high water tables, and that is why sump pumps are in existence…to remove that water. Sump pumps are not something that people consider because they run in the background out of sight and out of mind. They should run for a long time until they don’t, and then they are replaced. You can lengthen the life of your sump pump by ensuring the pipes are clear and do a visual inspection once in a while to make sure it is still running.