Water may be essential to
life, but as a destructive
force, water can diminish
the value of your home or
building. Homes, as well as
Commercial buildings, can
suffer water damage that
results in increased
maintenance costs, a
decrease in the value of the
property, lowered
productivity and potential
liability associated with a
decline in indoor air
quality. The best way to
protect against this
potential loss is to ensure
that the building
components, which enclose
the structure, known as the
building envelope, are water
resistant. Also, you will
want to ensure that
manufacturing processes, if
present, do not allow excess
water to accumulate.
Finally, make sure that the
plumbing and ventilation
systems, which can be quite
complicated in buildings,
operate efficiently and are
well maintained. This
provides some basic steps
for identifying and
eliminating potentially
damaging excess moisture.
Untreated hidden water
damage can lead to pipe
corrosion, foundation
damage, foul odors, and
mold. Some water
damage may not be covered by
a homeowners insurance
policy and in some cases
mold can be a major problem.
Identify and repair all
Leaks and Cracks

The following are common
building-related sources of
water intrusion:
-
Windows and Doors: Check
for leaks around your
windows, storefront
systems and doors.
-
Roof: Improper drainage
systems and roof sloping
reduce roof life and
become a primary source
of moisture intrusion.
Leaks are also common
around vents for exhaust
or plumbing, rooftop air
conditioning units or
other specialized
equipment.
-
Foundation and Exterior
Walls: Seal any cracks
and holes in exterior
walls, joints and
foundations. These often
develop as a naturally
occurring byproduct of
differential soil
settlement.
-
Plumbing: Check for
leaking plumbing
fixtures, dripping pipes
(including fire
sprinkler systems),
clogged drains (both
interior and exterior),
defective water drainage
systems and damaged
manufacturing equipment.
-
Ventilation, Heating and
Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Systems: Numerous types,
some very sophisticated,
are a crucial component
to maintaining a
healthy, comfortable
work environment. They
are comprised of a
number of components
(including chilled water
piping and condensation
drains) that can
directly contribute to
excessive moisture in
the work environment. In
addition, in humid
climates, one of the
functions of the system
is to reduce the ambient
air moisture (relative
humidity) level
throughout the building.
An improperly operating
HVAC system will not
perform this function.
Prevent Water Intrusion
Through Good Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
You can help prevent water
intrusion and excessive
moisture levels by regularly
inspecting the following
elements of your building to
ensure they remain in good
condition.
-
Flashings and Sealants:
Flashing, which is
typically a thin metal
strip found around
doors, windows and
roofs, are designed to
prevent water intrusion
in spaces where two
building materials come
together. Sealants and
caulking are
specifically applied to
prevent moisture
intrusion at building
joints. Both must be
maintained and in good
condition.
-
Vents: All vents should
have appropriate hoods,
exhaust to the exterior
and be in good working
order.
-
Review the use of
manufacturing equipment
that may include water
for process or cooling.
Ensure wastewater drains
adequately away with no
spillage. Check for
condensation around hot
or cold materials or
heat transfer equipment.
-
Heating, ventilation and
air conditioning systems
are much more
complicated in
commercial buildings.
Check for leakage in
supply and return water
lines, pumps, air
handlers and other
components. Drain lines
should be clean and
clear of
obstructions.Ductwork
should be insulated to
prevent condensation on
exterior surfaces.
-
Humidity: Except in
specialized facilities,
the relative humidity in
your building should be
between 30% and 50%.
Condensation on windows,
wet stains on walls and
ceilings, and musty
smells are signs
relative humidity may be
high. If you are
concerned about the
humidity level in your
building, consult with a
mechanical engineer,
contractor or air
conditioning repair
company to determine if
your HVAC system is
properly sized and in
good working order. A
mechanical engineer
should be consulted when
renovations to interior
spaces take place.
-
Moist Areas: Regularly
clean off, then dry all
surfaces where moisture
frequently collects.
-
Expansion Joints:
Expansion joints are
materials between
bricks, pipes and other
building materials that
absorb movement. If
expansion joints are not
in good condition, water
intrusion can occur.
Protection From Water Damage
-
Interior Finish
Materials: Replace
drywall, plaster, carpet
and stained or water
damaged ceiling tiles.
These are not only good
evidence of a moisture
intrusion problem, but
can lead to
deterioration of the
work environment, if
they remain over time.
-
Exterior Walls: Exterior
walls are generally
comprised of a number of
materials combined into
a “wall assembly.” When
properly designed and
constructed the assembly
is the first line of
defense between water
and the interior of your
building. It is
essential that they be
maintained properly
(including regular
refinishing and/or
resealing with the
correct materials).
-
Storage Areas: Storage
areas should be kept
cleaned and allow air to
circulate to prevent
potential moisture
accumulation.
Act Quickly if Water
Intrusion Occurs
Label shut-off valves so
that water supply can be
easily closed in the event
of a plumbing leak. If water
intrusion does occur, you
can minimize the damage by
addressing the
problem quickly and
thoroughly. Immediately
remove standing water and
all moist materials, and
consult with a building
professional. Should your
building become damaged by a
catastrophic event such as
fire, flood or storm, take
appropriate action to
prevent further water damage
once it is safe to do so.
This may include boarding up
damaged windows,
covering a damaged roof with
plastic sheeting or removing
wet materials and supplies.
Fast action on your part
will help minimize the time
and expense for repairs,
resulting in a
faster recovery.