No one likes to be the bearer of bad news.
No one likes to receive bad news, either. Unfortunately, I have some bad
news for property management specialists and companies throughout the
Sarasota area: the properties you are supposed to be overseeing are at
risk for severe water damage.
When? Why? There are many potential causes, and they can sometimes be hard to spot before they become disasters.
The Good News
But, there is good news, as many of the most common sources of water damage are quite manageable. Even the sources of water damage that you cannot control directly can be prepared for so that you can mitigate the costs of the damage.
Knowing the Threats
So, how can you prevent water damage? First, you need to know the various sources of water damage before you can do anything about them. Here are a few of the most common threats for water
damage in a property:
Plumbing Leaks. One of the most common issues faced by residential and business buildings across America, plumbing leaks can not only rack up the water bill, but contribute to the growth of mold and the deterioration of a building’s infrastructure. Thankfully, there are ways for you to detect a plumbing leak, which we have discussed before. One quick method of determining if there is a plumbing leak involves checking the utility bill to see if there is an excessive amount of water use, then using your water shut-off valve to see if it is an interior or exterior leak. If the water is shut off but the valve is still moving, it is an exterior leak. Otherwise, you have an interior leak.
Leaks in the Roof- Inclement weather or lack of proper maintenance can lead to rends or weakened seals in the structure of the roof. When this happens, water begins to seep into the home, and that can allow mold to develop in the attic or insulating layer between the roof and the ceiling of the home.
Water Seepage- During long periods of frequent rain, water can collect against the side of the home, and be absorbed by the foundation of the building. This can weaken the foundation over time, possibly even shifting the house enough to damage its frame. This can cause walls and doors to crack, as noted by Realtytimes.com.
Floods- When most people think of floods, they think of a river overflowing, or of hurricane-level natural disasters that can turn even slightly depressed terrain into a temporary lake. However, floods in a home can also originate with the plumbing, as a backed up toilet can overflow and spread contaminated water throughout a home.
Preventing as Much Damage as Possible
So, how can you prevent water damage from most of these sources? The prevention of water damage begins with good, old-fashioned maintenance. Preventing leaks from plumbing by regularly inspecting and repairing the pipes in a property goes a long way towards stopping water damage from occurring in the first place.
The Weather Channel has quite a few helpful tips on their website for preventing water damage from non-plumbing problems. Here are a few suggestions for minimizing or preventing water damage:
Inspect the Building’s Flashing- Flashing is the term for a thin metal strip that is used to prevent water intrusion in areas where two different building surfaces connect, such as where a chimney or vent comes through the roof, or where a window is set into a wall. A detailed explanation of what a good piece of flashing should look like can be found on the website of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
Read More http://www.accutechrestoration.com/property-management-tips-to-prevent-water-damage/
When? Why? There are many potential causes, and they can sometimes be hard to spot before they become disasters.
The Good News
But, there is good news, as many of the most common sources of water damage are quite manageable. Even the sources of water damage that you cannot control directly can be prepared for so that you can mitigate the costs of the damage.
Knowing the Threats
So, how can you prevent water damage? First, you need to know the various sources of water damage before you can do anything about them. Here are a few of the most common threats for water
damage in a property:
Plumbing Leaks. One of the most common issues faced by residential and business buildings across America, plumbing leaks can not only rack up the water bill, but contribute to the growth of mold and the deterioration of a building’s infrastructure. Thankfully, there are ways for you to detect a plumbing leak, which we have discussed before. One quick method of determining if there is a plumbing leak involves checking the utility bill to see if there is an excessive amount of water use, then using your water shut-off valve to see if it is an interior or exterior leak. If the water is shut off but the valve is still moving, it is an exterior leak. Otherwise, you have an interior leak.
Leaks in the Roof- Inclement weather or lack of proper maintenance can lead to rends or weakened seals in the structure of the roof. When this happens, water begins to seep into the home, and that can allow mold to develop in the attic or insulating layer between the roof and the ceiling of the home.
Water Seepage- During long periods of frequent rain, water can collect against the side of the home, and be absorbed by the foundation of the building. This can weaken the foundation over time, possibly even shifting the house enough to damage its frame. This can cause walls and doors to crack, as noted by Realtytimes.com.
Floods- When most people think of floods, they think of a river overflowing, or of hurricane-level natural disasters that can turn even slightly depressed terrain into a temporary lake. However, floods in a home can also originate with the plumbing, as a backed up toilet can overflow and spread contaminated water throughout a home.
Preventing as Much Damage as Possible
So, how can you prevent water damage from most of these sources? The prevention of water damage begins with good, old-fashioned maintenance. Preventing leaks from plumbing by regularly inspecting and repairing the pipes in a property goes a long way towards stopping water damage from occurring in the first place.
The Weather Channel has quite a few helpful tips on their website for preventing water damage from non-plumbing problems. Here are a few suggestions for minimizing or preventing water damage:
Inspect the Building’s Flashing- Flashing is the term for a thin metal strip that is used to prevent water intrusion in areas where two different building surfaces connect, such as where a chimney or vent comes through the roof, or where a window is set into a wall. A detailed explanation of what a good piece of flashing should look like can be found on the website of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
Read More http://www.accutechrestoration.com/property-management-tips-to-prevent-water-damage/
No comments:
Post a Comment