A leaking pipe can be a big problem anywhere. In a family home, it could damage furniture, heirlooms, and appliances. And post-flood damage would likely include mold remediation and replacing soiled building materials.
Now, imagine the extent of water and flood damage in a commercial building such as an office, warehouse, apartment building, or hotel. High-end equipment may be damaged or destroyed, and employees may be forced to stop working while water removal and repairs are ongoing. Employees may even get sick due to lingering moisture, which can contribute to poor air quality and other health concerns long after the initial event.
So, how can you protect your commercial property from water damage while also safeguarding your workforce against associated health hazards? Let’s take a look.
What Is Commercial Water Damage in Tennessee?
Commercial water damage is one of the most expensive problems in commercial and industrial spaces. It happens when water leaks from broken pipes or enters your structure through water intrusion caused by heavy rain and other sources.
It can be hard to notice a leak in commercial or industrial structures because of the sheer size of the space. Early warning signs like water stains can be easy to miss, and hidden water intrusion may be left untreated for days or weeks before anyone notices, compounding the damage until it’s too late.
But leaky pipes are only one form of water damage. Other common sources include:
- Roof leaks
- Toilet pipe leaks
- HVAC leaks
- Malfunctioning sprinklers
- Malfunctioning water heaters
- Machinery leaks
- Damaged water tanks
- Sewage backups
As soon as you notice water damage in your commercial space, call a professional water restoration company. Waiting another day or even another hour could be catastrophic, so prompt professional help is needed to protect business operations and your employees.
Effects of Commercial Water Damage
Water damage can be disastrous even when it seems minor. Unfortunately, the damage is not limited to just one area, as water can spread into affected areas and cause structural damage as it moves through floors, walls, and ceilings, affecting everything from steel beams to electrical wires, with serious long-term consequences if it is not addressed quickly.
Standing Water
Even small trickles can add up to damaging pools. Standing water raises the humidity level in your structure, creating ideal conditions for mold growth and microbial growth. Additionally, higher-than-average humidity levels indoors can cause off-gassing, a phenomenon when building materials (like laminated timber or insulation) release toxic fumes, and damp conditions in porous materials can worsen indoor air quality and contribute to respiratory issues.
Flood Damage
Flood damage can cause serious property damage and lead to costly repairs. First, flooding can weaken the foundation of the building and other structural elements, especially after catastrophic flooding. Second, it can damage expensive commercial equipment, flooring, and other items within the building. Third, damage to the plumbing can be very complicated. Flood damage needs to be addressed with urgency to prevent a cascading effect in your commercial property, since delay increases repair costs.
Repair Expense
Flood damage recovery can lead to expensive repairs. Water extraction is crucial, and you will need to call in a water removal company or rent restoration equipment. Your plumbing system, flooring, and walls must be repaired or replaced. Any damaged equipment will need to be repaired as well.
Experienced water damage restoration companies can help you work with an insurance company during claims for a better outcome overall. There are three parties in every water damage scenario—the property owner (you), the damage restoration company, and your insurance adjuster. Frequent, transparent communication between all three parties is best for all involved and can help avoid more expensive repairs.
Health Risks
Even when standing water has been removed from the space, there is still moisture left in some parts of the building, and if it is not handled properly, mold growth can begin in damp areas within 24–48 hours. These moist areas are hotspots for mold and mildew to set in, and this can create health issues and respiratory issues for employees, especially vulnerable groups such as those with asthma, allergies, or weakened immune systems. They can cause allergic reactions and respiratory conditions in even healthy adults, to say nothing of sensitive groups like those with asthma and allergies.
What To Do During Commercial Water Damage
Keep employees’ health a priority by calling experts in emergency response, emergency services, and recovery before employees re-enter the site when you experience commercial water damage, and staff should not enter buildings until the area is declared safe. You may think you can solve the problem because water removal seems easy enough when you have a janitorial service.
But the water damage restoration process involves far more than surface cleanup and removing moisture from surfaces and the air. Advanced Structural Drying Technology (ASDT) provides the following water damage mitigation services following commercial water damage:
- Water Extraction: The longer water stands in an area, the more damage it will do to your building’s foundation and everything the water touches.
- Structural Drying: Using scientifically proven methods, the drying process, and specialized equipment, ASDT will dry everything before mold and mildew set in.
- Dehumidification: Structural drying is best paired with dehumidification to prevent mold and mildew growth.
- Thermal Inspections: To ensure there is no more moisture in the affected parts of your building, we use thermal imaging technology to look behind walls, under floors, and in hard-to-reach areas without destructive means.
- Disinfection Services: Leaks and floods can bring contaminated water, harmful microorganisms, and harmful bacteria into the building, so thorough disinfection services are in order.
Call Professionals for Commercial Water Damage Mitigation in Tennessee
When you face work stoppages, health hazards, OSHA violations, and other water damage consequences, fast, professional water damage restoration helps reduce downtime, limit health hazards, and support a safe return to normal operations. At ASDT, we’ve helped commercial property owners recover after water damage strikes and restore each property to its pre-loss condition. From Memphis to Jackson, Nashville to Chattanooga, we help the Volunteer State dry out so that it can get back to business.
Keep flood damage under control and ensure workforce safety in Tennessee with Advanced Structural Drying Technologies. Contact us today for emergency water damage restoration and a tailored restoration plan, or call 615-632-6630.
