Risk of Water Damage for Hotels & Shopping Centers

8/24/2017 (Permalink)

Large buildings often have a long and confusing system of water pipes that deliver water from floor to floor. This makes the potential for water damage from flooding after a burst pipe much higher in these types of buildings than in a typical home or small business. Buildings that are prone to this type of damage include high-rises, hotels, hospitals, dormitories and shopping centers.

Some of the most common causes of flood damage in these types of buildings includes:

• Malfunction of level detection devices
• Malfunction of fire water sprinkler systems
• Burst pipe
• Human error
• Natural disaster
• Roof leak
• Foundation leak
• Leaking or rupturing water chiller lines for HVAC systems

When water leaks on an upper floor, it will often flow down several floors by following the path of least resistance. That means that it can get into ceilings, behind walls and under carpet. When water damage strikes, the consequences can be serious. Not only is the space damaged, resulting in high repair costs, but the longer it takes to repair the space the more revenue is lost. Further, damage from the water itself is only the beginning of the problem. If untreated, water damage can lead to mold and mildew, necessitating even more cleanup and repair.