Commercial Water Damage is Commonly Caused by Frozen Pipes

Photo by Mark Eder on Unsplash

Commercial water damage causes a huge loss of productivity. Combined with the loss of materials, the costs of repairs, and the enormous water bill that comes with most forms of water damage, commercial water damage gets pricey fast. One of the most common causes of commercial water damage is frozen pipes. However, it is easy to avoid if you plan ahead. Below are reasons why this common problem hits commercial buildings so frequently.

Commercial buildings are often unattended in the winter

Frozen pipes tend to happen in the winter months for obvious reasons. While winter may be a peak time for some businesses, most experience a slump, particularly around the holidays. This leaves many buildings with fewer staff members present to notice any leaks or sluggishness. It also typically causes a lessening of demand for water. One of the best ways to keep your pipes from freezing is to keep water moving through them constantly. If you shut down for a holiday break, the stagnant water in your pipes is more susceptible to cold.

There can be confusion over who should winterize pipes

If you double-check your lease, then it should spell out who has the responsibility for making the property ready for winter. If you own the property, then congratulations: that person is you! Some people may not know what they have to do to keep their pipes from freezing. Property owners might assume that the property manager will look into this (and you can make a strong case that the manager should!), but if they never discuss it, it’s difficult to place blame. Take a moment as the nights get colder to analyze who does what at your building. Make sure there’s a solid plan in place to winterize.

Commercial properties have many pipes

At a certain point, risk comes down to a question of opportunity. Most commercial properties have a lot of pipes because they have to run professional appliances. They might need many more restroom/sink hookups than your typical residential property. All of these factors lead to more pipes. The more pipes there are, the greater the odds are that you will miss one or two while you’re winterizing. Don’t count on just what you can see when you’re preparing for winter. Check with a plumber or your building’s plumbing plans to make sure that you’re hitting every pipe along the way.

Commercial water damage comes with a hefty price tag. Be proactive if you want to ensure that your property is well taken care of. Look into who’s responsible for winterizing your property. Make sure that every pipe in the plot is being protected. Take special care on low-demand days, or days when your commercial building is going to be empty. That’s the best way to stop frozen pipes and end this common cause of commercial water damage.