Introduction
Water damage poses a severe threat in a warehouse operation. It leads to damage of goods and hold a warehouse operation for a couple of days. That’s not the only concern, as it can put your employee’s health and safety at risk as well. To prevent water damage, taking immediate or pre-planned actions should be considered. Detecting the early signs of any water damage could be the saving grace of warehouses.
Water damage is a common reason for the destruction of properties. If water is left unattended for even a short period, it can cause problems to warehouses with rotting, warping, staining, and mold growth. While some water damage problems are bound to happen, most of the major problems can be stopped if detected earlier. Because of this, warehouses should have a plan to prevent water damage ahead of time.
Warehouse business owners should be aware of everything here that can occur. Check out this list of common causes of water damage and how to solve them.
What are the Causes of Commercial Water Damage?
Damaged Pipes
Broken pipes can happen for multiple reasons. Changes in pressure deteriorated water supply lines, and sewer drains are to name a few. Even cold weather due to the pipes potentially bursting from freezing temperature.
Signs of Damaged Pipes Include:
- Bulging Walls
- Water stains on walls or floors.
- Cracked or loose tiles.
- A musty smell.
Specialized water leak detection equipment is usually required in detecting leaky pipes. However, even then, it can be challenging.
Warehouses Foundation
Water can leak into the property through the roof if gutters aren’t regularly cleaned. This happens due to the drains getting clogged. Puddles that are formed nearby are a common sign of leaks in warehouse foundations. Framing that has become wet is also a sign. Poor drainage systems can cause water damage to the foundation.
Roof Leaks
Multiple problems arise from a leaky roof. These include ceiling damage, mold or mildew issues, fire hazards from shortened wires, and compromised structural integrity. Roofs become more vulnerable to damage due to exposure to heavy rains and snow. Not to mention water damage in roofs can be triggered from incorrect snow/ice removal.
HVAC Problems
Heating or cooling the air through a series of ducts is how an HVAC system works. These ducts wear out and get damaged, which results in leaks over time. HVAC systems require a regular cleaning schedule. To further prevent water damage, the excess water has to be removed from condensation reservoirs.
Sewer Clogs
Sewer water contains bacteria and other pathogens that could cause illnesses and infections. You should immediately call water damage and restoration professionals once you see the signs of sewer damage. Signs of sewer damage include gurgling sounds or water backing up out of the drain or toilet.
Sprinkler System Leaks
Leaks in sprinkler systems are another cause of water damage in the building. Wet surfaces like drywall and carpets, the presence of mold and mildew, and standing water are signs of sprinkler leaks. Your sprinkler systems will need a regular inspection for leaks and moisture.
Faulty Appliances
Faulty appliances can cause water damage in a warehouse too. These include dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators with automatic ice makers. Any appliance will need a regular thorough inspection. In doing so, you can avoid having any water-related damage from a faulty appliance.
Natural Disasters
Though it might not be as common and will depend on your location, natural disasters can be a serious issue. If the warehouse isn’t really protected, heavy thunderstorms and flooding can lead to water damage. There is a greater risk of sustaining water damage in warehouses when people go home at night or over weekends. Administrators should take the necessary precaution to prevent flooding.
Prevention of Water Damage
If you take the necessary steps to prevent water damage, it can save you from costly repairs. Not only that but also for any future business interruption. Since there are a lot of sources for water damage, it is important to have a regular warehouse inspection. This helps prevent any future leaks or any other related issues.
Flood Monitoring System
Make sure you have an efficient flood warning system in place. It doesn’t even matter if your business is located in a flood-prone area. There are other causes of flooding, such as plumbing failures, overflowing rivers, and melting snow.
Your Property had Enough Coverage.
Property insurance policies don’t usually include flooding. It’s also worth noting that it isn’t cheap to have water damage restoration. In the future, if a property gets damaged by a flood, water damage insurance can be applied. It can help deal with the costs.
Regular Water Damage Inspection
Prevention is generally better than restoration. Not to mention, it is way cheaper to prevent water damage than restoration. Have professionals inspect the property at least once a year. This can help with preventing water damage from getting worse. There are several ways to perform leak detection. This includes humidity monitoring and the use of spot sensors.
Facility Maintenance Investment
A plan should contribute as well to prevent water damage. A warehouse should have its different parts inspected at different intervals. Doors, windows, and gates should be checked each year for weariness. On the other hand, the roof can be coated every five years or so to prevent damage.
Water Damage Restoration Professional
Mold and mildew build-up is a common side effect of water damage in warehouses. These dangerous microorganisms are born from exposure to water damage. They only need 24-28 hours before they start growing. The source of water damage should be fixed right away to stop mold growth. Hiring emergency water damage restoration professionals will surely help as well. They can ensure that no trace is left by conducting commercial mold cleanup and mold mitigation.
Water Leak Detection Sensors
There’s no way in solving a problem before it occurs. But if you are willing to track what is happening at the moment to prevent it, then you are already making a big step. These risks can be mitigated by following the practices to prevent water leaks in the warehouse. Also, performing regular maintenance and testing activities is a must.
There is no good news in discovering a water leak. But water leak sensors will help you catch up and act upon a potential problem. The practices mentioned above can be done using reliable water leak detectors and sensors.
Wireless Water Detection Sensor
AKCP offers a Wireless Tunnel radio module with AKCP Spot Water Sensor. It is powered by 5VDC or 12VDC with battery backup and a full IP66 waterproof enclosure. The spot water sensor will alarm when water is detected. With the same technology as the wired spot water detector, it can even detect the presence of de-ionized water.
Locate Rope Water Sensor
The locate rope water sensor will give you a precise location of the water leak so you can respond promptly to protect your enterprise resources from water damage.
Ideal for detecting water leaks in hard-to-see areas, such as under raised floors and false ceilings. The Locate Rope Water sensor will give you a precise location of the water leak so you can respond promptly to protect your enterprise resources from water damage.
This sensor comes fully assembled and includes the rope portion that is the water sensing cable, the non-sensing cable (from the rope to the sensing module), and the main sensing module. The sensing cable can be pre-ordered from a 10-foot minimum to any custom run length (in multiples of 10 feet) of up to 160 feet. The non-sensing cable comes in a standard 20-foot run length.
The specific location of water along the rope can be used to trigger alerts like e-mail, SMS, phone calls, and SNMP traps. The sensor has its own SNMP OID so that it can be monitored over the network using any Network Management System.
