All buildings are at risk for water damage. Any unwanted water intrusion can significantly impact the value of a commercial property. Protecting the roofs, walls, windows, etc is essential to reducing the likelihood of water damage.
The exterior walls of a building can be a significant source of unwanted water leakage. It’s easy to forget how many openings in commercial building walls are required — from plumbing and irrigation connections, to lighting, HVAC system elements, exhaust vents, air intakes, joints around windows and doors, and fire alarms, to name a few. Then, there are the unplanned holes — the aged brick joints that need re-pointing, sealants that have long ago vanished, damage from acid rain, or settling cracks. All wall penetrations provide access for water, bugs, field mice, birds, or other uninvited “guests.” If a building is seriously damaged, specialists may be needed to bring a wall system back up to its expected performance levels. But, regular inspections will help identify potential problems early and help minimize costs for needed repairs.
Whether flat or pitched, asphalt or composite, every roof is an at-risk location for unwanted water. Many commercial building roofs are laden with HVAC equipment, vent pipes, skylights and other building system elements, which are all ‘holes’ in the worst possible place — directly overhead. Many roofs are walked on, have tool boxes and test equipment placed on them, catch leaves and branches behind parapets, have sand and abrasives blown over them constantly, or carry billboards or occupant signage. All of these rooftop elements conspire to make this zone especially vulnerable to water intrusion. The roof drainage system on a flat roof is critically important. Inspect all roof drains monthly.
Inspect window joints and flashings on the exterior for continuous seal integrity. If the windows are part of a drainable wall system, check to ensure that flashing opening and weep holes are not clogged. Inspect windows from the inside for glass and air seal integrity. Manually test all locks, cranks, and other mechanical elements. Check interior walls around windows for water damage.
Speak with your agent at Professional Underwriters to discuss other risk management preventative measures to protect your building today.