Costs from water damage

9/1/2020 (Permalink)

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When it comes to owning a business or a home, water damage can be one of the most costly things there is. You can not only lose out on days or weeks of productivity, but you could also find yourself repairing or replacing valuable equipment like electronics, tools and inventory. This is where the costs come into play.

- On average, water damage from a sink will run $7,000.00 for each instance

- For toilets, that number ranges between $2,000.00 and $10,000.00

As we can see, this can add up very fast! Here are some causes of water damages, and what you can do to help prevent them. 

1. Appliances and Equipment

- Air conditioners, water heaters or anything that uses tubes, pipes, gaskets or filters to operate has the potential to leak. The best thing to do is to regularly look over and maintain your equipment. If you notice anything that concerns you, such as rust, cracks, bulges or signs of moisture, call SERVPRO. 

2. Roofing

- Make sure you're checking your roof regularly. If you've got a pond up there, your drainage isn't working effectively. Keep in mind that every inch of water weighs in at around 5 lbs. Be sure to look for any damage to your perimeter like flashing, roof membrane or roof penetrations like drains, pipes and gas lines. 

3. Pipes and Drains

- Your plumbing system is susceptible to stoppages, clogs and damage. If a crack develops, it could dump 250 gallons of water per day on your facility. Look for outward signs of moisture, blue stains, rusting, and cracking and bulging. If you're having plumbing work done or you have a cut pipe for any reason, check for scale buildup. You can also try a pipe camera to get a good look at what's going on inside your system. 

4. Sprinkler Systems

- Many commercial buildings are outfitted with sprinkler systems, which are great for minimizing fire damage, but not so great for water damage when they malfunction. Always check your sprinkler system for signs of damage or rust, and replace them regularly to make sure they are functioning properly. 

5. Mother Nature

- Natural disasters like hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and flash flooding can do untold damage to your business. You can control how ready you are for it though. Keeping your gutters clear, installing barriers and storing sensitive files and electronics at a higher level are all things you can do to keep the damage minimal. Consult with a SERVPRO professional to get your ERP set up and ready in case something like this were to happen.