Where Water Damage and Mold Most Often Occurs In Business Offices

Posted in Air Quality, on July 29, 2015

Is your office showing signs of water damage? You must identify the possible source to avoid possible mold infestation. While all buildings vary, each experiences the likelihood of water damage and the potential for mold growth. From minor roof leaks to major occurrences such as hurricanes, any unwanted water invasion could affect a property's value. Water is a major long-term destructive substance in indoor settings. It weakens or dissolves numerous materials and promotes the growth of microorganisms such as mold. Nevertheless, quick response frequently saves valuable property from water damage as well as microbial growth or more specifically mold. If you're concerned about possible water damage in your business office, check this out.

Sources of possible Water Damage

Roofs

Whether pitched or flat, each roof is a risk site for unwanted water. Numerous commercial roofs feature HVAC equipment, skylights, vent pipes, and other elements. Numerous roofs have test equipment and tool boxes placed over them, catch branches and leaves behind parapets, and constantly have sand blown above them. These rooftop elements work to make this area particularly vulnerable to water invasion.

Surface/Rain Water

A building's roof functions as a huge water collector and substandard designs of gullies, valleys, and downpipes can produce leaks. Poor maintenance services can also lead to overflows, which can frequently escape back into the office building. You'll discover that severe flooding and storms from cyclic weather patterns can test even the most well maintained and designed building and roof.

Wall Systems

A building's exterior walls can be a major source of unwanted water leaks. You can easily forget the number of openings that are required in a building's walls. From irrigation and plumbing connections to lighting and HVAC elements, the necessary openings are quite many. Bear in mind that every wall penetration offers access to water and pests. If a building experiences serious damage, specialists may have to return a wall system to its anticipated performance levels. Nevertheless, regular inspections will facilitate the identification of possible problems early and help decrease costs for required repairs.

Foul/Grey Water

Today's commercial appliances (washing machines, water coolers, coffee machines, etc) need sophisticated plumbing, and wrong installation could cause leaks. Foul or grey water typically produce sporadic leaks, which can accumulate gradually over time because these kinds of appliances aren't used constantly. Additionally, pump sets and sprinkler piping function at elevated pressures, so any line break could result in fast loss of huge water volumes.

Leaky Pipes

A burst pipe that's unnoticed can cause considerable water damage over a short period. Pipes will frequently burst during sudden change in external temperature, for instance a cold snap throughout winter. However, even a small pipe leak could cause water damage over time. It's imperative you identify the location of the major shutoff water valves and conduct regular inspection to ensure proper functioning.

Water Damage and Mold

It's impossible to address water damage without tackling the likelihood of mold development. Mold can start developing as soon as 24 hours following a flood and complete removal tends to be difficult once it starts developing. The sooner you address water damage and remove all the water, the lesser the likelihood of sustaining mold damage. Your best strategy is to begin the drying and water removal process within 24-48 hours of water damage. Mold can generate structural damage to a building and may pose health risks to you, your clients, and employees. Mold can also affect building materials due to chronic moisture exposure. Measures to fix sources of water penetration or release into a building must occur to avoid further damage. Removing and cleaning mold is tricky, so care and caution is necessary to avoid spreading it to other areas. For this reason, the task is suitable for a professional.

Mold and Air Quality

Microbiological organisms are vital components of the ecosystem. However, their proliferation in buildings can affect indoor air quality considerably, creating hazardous health conditions for occupants. Mold metabolism can also produce microbiological VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that affect a building's indoor air quality. Are you concerned about potential water damage to your office? Examine these possible sources in order to address the issue promptly. If your office is experiencing issues related to air quality, please contact us for assistance (416) 414-5690