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How To Protect Your Business From Water Damage

Water damage can be caused by a burst pipe or a storm flood. Most times, they can happen unexpectedly. And for the business owner, water damage can seriously impact your day-to-day operations and bottom line. 

That said, there are simple steps you can take to proactively protect your commercial property against water damage. This article shares some of the most important tips to keep in mind. 

  • Have A Regular Plumbing Inspection And Maintenance Schedule

Most homeowners and commercial building owners don’t think much about their plumbing systems. It’s always been there and you probably have more important things on your plate. That said, an old, unmaintained plumbing system is one of the main causes of costly water damage in any property. 

So, if you don’t want to experience the frustrations of water damage from minor leaks to disastrous burst pipes, scheduling a regular inspection and maintenance of your plumbing system should be on your to-do list. 

With regular inspection and maintenance, you’ll be able to find and fix minor and developing plumbing issues before they become a big problem. Plus, it also helps make sure that your plumbing system is working the way it should, saving you money in the long run. 

While you can try to do your own DIY plumbing inspection and maintenance, if you have a large commercial building or property, it only makes sense to hire experts like Dan’s Plumbing. Most plumbing services offer regular maintenance and inspection services that allow you to spot even the smallest problems in your commercial plumbing system and resolve them promptly. 

  • Install A Leak Detection System

To further strengthen your plumbing maintenance initiatives, a water detection system can help. Even with regular inspection, it’s easy for water leaks to slip away unknowingly, especially if hidden from plain sight. Most people can’t see pipe damage or water leaks from behind the walls until it’s too late. To prevent serious damage caused by hidden leaks and damages, installing a water leak detection system can help identify an issue before it causes extreme damage. 

The best water leak detection systems can help quickly alert homeowners of potential leaks when they detect moisture. They are quite effective at detecting slow, hidden leaks and slight moisture levels that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. 

So, consider adding these devices near high-risk areas including water heaters, toilets, and sump pumps. Also, most sensors can connect to your phone or your business security system, so you can receive real-time alerts even if you’re offsite. 

  • Prepare A Water Damage Plan

Water damage often happens at a short notice. Thus, it’s important to have the necessary information on hand during a stressful event. In this case, writing a water damage plan can help provide instructions to your employees on what to do when water damage occurs. 

In general, a water damage plan should include:

  • A map of water lines and control valves. It should also include key locations of cut-off points of your electricity and gas lines.
  • Contact information of your plumbing partners, energy providers, local council, and other relevant helplines. 
  • A list of immediate actions to be taken in case of evacuation, such as alerting staff and moving equipment and other important documents. 

Always review your water damage plan to ensure that it fits the purpose, particularly if you’ve made significant changes to how your business operates. 

  • Be Insured

One of the best ways to protect your business against water damage is insurance. Getting the right kind of commercial insurance with good commercial water damage coverage can strengthen your risk management plan. 

In terms of small business insurance, you want to be meticulous about the coverage. Some commercial property insurance only covers water damage claims caused by pipe breakage but doesn’t cover damages from external flooding or backed-up sewer lines. Most policies also have exclusions for damages caused by mold. 

You can get endorsements or riders to your commercial property insurance to get extra coverage. Talk to your insurance agent to know which riders are available to you and what it covers. 

Other types of business insurance you should consider include business interruption insurance which covers relocation or rent costs and offset your loss of business income due to flooding or water damage. Alternatively, you can have commercial flood insurance which covers the cost of flood and water damage, particularly if you’re located in flood-risk areas. 

Takeaway

Water may be essential to human life and everyday functions, but to a property, uncontrolled water and moisture can cause deterioration and destruction. When it invades and leaks into the structural elements of your commercial building, water causes unwanted and costly damages, both right after it occurs and in the long term. So, make sure to follow the above tips to ensure that your business is protected against water damage. 

 

I am content write and technical expert at a tech organization. I also do the computer science education through the college. Love to solve the techncal issue through my writing and want to help people to solve their.

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