Protect Your Pipes

3/8/2021 (Permalink)

Spring is just around the corner, but that doesn't mean the cold weather can go away right away. Rather, in the coming months, temperatures will fluctuate, with some warm days that are typical of spring and some cold days. Variable temperatures can cause havoc in your company by causing damage to pipes, which can result in water damage if they burst. As temperatures change, water in the pipes expands and contracts, causing increased pressure in the pipes.

Under this strain, pipes burst. Since burst pipes can cause significant water damage to your commercial building, it's critical to understand how to prevent them from happening in the first place, as well as how to deal with the water damage if they do.

Prevention

First and foremost, ensure that the company is covered by a water damage insurance policy that includes burst pipes. In the end, cleaning services can be expensive. Pipes that are outside or in unheated locations should be covered in insulated sleeves to keep the water inside from freezing in the winter. If pipes do freeze, it might be helpful to run water through them to prevent them from bursting. Finally, inspecting pipes for small leaks regularly is a good preventative measure to take, particularly as the weather gets colder.

If Your Pipes Burst…

At the first sign of a burst pipe, switch off the water, power, and heating systems to reduce the damage caused by the ruptured pipes. Documents, inventory, and other valuable objects should be transferred to a safe location as soon as possible, as water from burst pipes can harm or kill them.

Check the building for signs of water damage, such as stains or discoloration, musty odors, or mold formation, whether it is safe to do so. It can also be useful to open doors and windows, as this allows air to circulate within the structure, drying any damp areas and preventing mold or mildew growth. Your company must get back on its feet quickly after a burst pipe, so contact SERVPRO to repair any water-damaged areas of your business as soon as possible, "Like it never even happened."