Typical Causes of Water Damage in Commercial Buildings

6/9/2020 (Permalink)

This flooded building was caused by a coffee supply line coming loose.

Unexpected flooding in commercial buildings can happen very quickly, especially if there is no one on site to access the problem. What starts out as a small water leak can instantly turn into something larger, and cause significantly more damage than expected. 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 of water damage in a commercial building:

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