What To Look for to Spot Water Damage in Commercial Properties

8/19/2020 (Permalink)

Left unattended, water damage in your business can grow from a small inconvenience to a large headache very quickly.  Problems with mold, structural integrity of the building itself and health issues can arise. To prevent this, you must become vigilant in spotting the early warning signs of water damage.  Developing this skill may not only help you avoid unnecessary damage to your business building, but it will also help you save money in the future by not having to pay for expensive repairs.  From our friendly staff at SERVPRO of Vermilion County here are five early signs of water damage for you to look out for. 

Musty Odor

People sometimes only associate a musty odor with an old commercial building.   The truth is that the musty smell is an indication of mold or stagnant water.  Should you detect a musty odor, don’t dismiss it.  You should take this seriously as a sign that there could quite possibly be a water issue somewhere in the building.  The sooner you detect it can make a significant difference in the extent of the damage. 

Discolored Walls or Ceilings

Discoloration is another sign of water damage.  In particular, look for streaks of water that are running down the walls and ceilings of your building. This can sometimes be a sign of an overflowing gutter or even a leaking or broken pipe, which will result in watermarks that are quite distinctive and show where the water has traveled down the wall.

Coolness

If your business building is very difficult to heat, then this might be a sign that you have dampness affecting your walls.  Water and moisture will often draw heat out of walls when it evaporates and leaves those walls and the property overall much colder. Trust your instincts. If it feels cold all the time in your commercial building, you may have a problem. 

Mold Growth

Mold growth does not occur without a degree of excess moisture.  If you detect mold anywhere in the building, you should know that it is probably not an isolated problem.  There is a moisture coming from somewhere that is allowing the mold to grow and spread.  Your first step after removing the mold should be tracing it back to the source. This can have the possibility of causing health issues and greatly increasing the costs of the cleanup as many insurance policies do not cover mold.  

Pooling Water Or Puddles

One probable sign of a leak is perpetual moisture or puddles that have no explicable source.  If you see this occurring, don’t overlook it.  There is a reason that the water is pooling and unless you find it the damage will continue to grow and spread.  Doing this will also likely prevent further mold growth from occurring as well. 

Here at SERVPRO of Vermilion County, we hope you find these warnings helpful for catching water damage in your commercial building.  If there is ever a problem, we are here to help!  We have 30 years of restoration experience and solid relationships in our community.  Don’t hesitate to give us a call today and speak to one of our friendly staff at 217-443-0077.