Ingress of water can harm the electrical and structural elements of a house and cause damage to costly furnishings and finishes. If residual moisture is not addressed immediately, it could promote the rapidly growing mould within walls and subfloors and pose a health hazard.

The process of repairing a water loss can be a difficult task for property owners and residents. Alongside the expense of repairs, there are times when it is necessary to relocate residents and disrupt their sense of security and security. Read info here!

For multi-level Retirement Homes and Independent Living Facilities, significant losses could result from anything as minor as a running faucet that’s not checked or a bathroom fixture that is leaking. Without timely identification, minor incidents could quickly become significant issues when water from a single source flows into adjoining units and common spaces.

Preventing water damage at a retirement home or assisted living centre is crucial. Tenants who reside in these facilities require care 24 hours a day.

The majority of people are dependent on the personnel of the facility when emergencies arise. It’s why something as simple as a sink overflowing must be properly cared for before it causes massive water damage to the remainder of the community.

What Can Cause Water Damage?

Water damage can range from minor leaks to large floods. However, even the tiniest amount of water can lead to residents relocated if needed. Protection of the resident is first on the list of priorities in case of emergency.

A variety of things can trigger water damage. And many can be prevented.

Leaky and burst pipes may result from frozen pipes, insufficient pressure in the water, or even old plumbing.

Plumbing problems are often hidden behind walls, making leaks difficult to spot. Leaking faucets, running or dripping toilets, and leaks around tubs and showers could indicate something wrong with the building’s plumbing.

The hoses of appliances that are worn or damaged can cause flooding. Dishwashers or refrigerators are vulnerable to damage and must be inspected regularly.

HVAC units can lead to excessive moisture if not maintained regularly. It can also be an ideal breeding place for mildew and mould. Infested gutters can lead to flooding when water spills over and gets into the dwelling and adjacent areas.

Preventing Water Damage

Although water damage is a major issue for any household in a multi-unit neighbourhood, the possibility of water damage can be more urgent. Lifesaving equipment must be safeguarded and maintained in good working order in a health facility. Water and electronic equipment are incompatible – keeping the water out of medical equipment is a first step to protecting patients in nursing facilities. Click here for more information!

Regular maintenance of the facility can stop the damage from happening. Get a plumber in to inspect the plumbing for obstructions, cracks, leaks or leaks that could be missed if you don’t conduct regular inspections.

Facility maintenance should be conducted every season. This includes examining the gutters for debris such as sticks, leaves, dirt, mud, and any other material that could clog them, preventing them from draining properly out of the building.

Examine the roofs and windows for signs of leaks. Leaky seals, cracks or damaged tiles could cause this.

A water damage mitigation and prevention plan must be developed and implemented to prevent, control, and minimize water loss from flooding. A plan is a way to assess the likelihood of a destruction event and list steps to be followed before and following the incident. The staff should only follow the steps listed in the plan when performing them safely.

Pre-planning

Inspect the building’s water and liquid systems, such as HVAC and plumbing systems, automated sprinkler systems, roofs, roof-mounted equipment, drains and downspouts, etc., to determine the possibility of wear and tear.

• Look for signs of water leaks, such as pools and stains. Repair even the tiniest leaks quickly.
• Make a detailed diagram of all liquid and water systems. Label each valve shut off by water so they can be found in an emergency.
• Train staff and identify them during each shift, with the power to shut off water valves during an accident.
• Lubricate and exercise shutoff valves annually to ensure they are easily shut during an event involving water.
• Develop a preventive maintenance program targeted at exposing vulnerable areas.
• Examine the plan every year and provide training for new employees whenever updates or changes are made, and also as annually scheduled refreshers.
• Designate key personnel and assign administration duties in an event that could cause water damage to the site.
• Make sure your emergency contact information is up-to-date.
• Plan a contingency in the event of severe damage to areas that require equipment or functions to be moved to allow operation. Specify the procedure for resuming operations.

Mitigation

If there is water damage, it is appropriate to send designated personnel to the location to start repairing the damages. Leaks in pipes, water lines for domestic use or valves must be sealed off by finding the shutoff valve to stop and limit the damages.

Leaks from the building structure, including leaky roof drains, windows, roof drains, etc., will require steps to be taken to stop the flow of water, limit the spillage, and stop any further water from getting into the structure.

Structures that are damaged might require repairs for a short period to limit the effects of water until proper clean-up and restoration occur. Call your local fire department for assistance if the damage is not prevented internally.

Recovery

The following steps to clean up must be completed immediately to ensure the greatest results and for the restoration of normal operations:

• Check out the Emergency contact lists of vendors, contractors or local response personnel for cleaning and restoration of the area as required.
• Examine the area for any damage to the structure or equipment that requires replacement, such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc
• If it is safe, Begin water removal using pumps or wet vacuums, squeegees or any other equipment appropriate for the leak.
• Use dehumidification equipment and fans to stop the development of mould.

Conclusion

Your water supply is a vital service for your building and business and is a potential risk in safeguarding your business from harm. The leakage of broken pipelines, pipes that are frozen or malfunctioning distribution systems can cause irreparable damage to goods and properties, making business slow or even stop and resulting in unexpected expenses.

Even a minor water leak left unnoticed for a prolonged period could result in massive losses, typically needing the replacement of ceilings, floors and walls, furniture, fixtures, and inventory. The water loss can destroy property to the point that it is enough to shut down a building until repairs are completed or even damage equipment or stocks that could cause a slowdown or even shut down of an enterprise.