Picture this: You finish a successful day at your business, lock up your building and head home for the night. You come back the next morning, ready for the day only to discover that your building is flooded from a broken pipe. Your floor, walls and most of inventory inside are damaged. This is a nightmare scenario for a business owner. And unfortunately, it’s an all too common one.
According to industry estimates, more than 14,000 people in the U.S. experience a water damage emergency at home or at work each day. Many of these emergencies occur in a similar pattern to the scenario we described above: burst pipes, leaky toilets, and faulty water heaters.
Here are our top four tips for protecting your business from water damage.
1. Monitor your appliances that use water. It’s not uncommon for modern offices to have kitchens with dishwashers or fridges with ice makers. Make sure that the hose connections to any water-using appliances you have installed at your business are secure. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re following the regular maintenance schedule for those appliances.
2. Keep an eye on your pipes. Leaky pipes can be one the biggest sources of damage for a business. If you notice a leak, investigate it immediately before it becomes a larger problem with a much heftier price tag. Plumbing systems are also prone to stoppages and clogs, which can result in overflowing appliances, sinks, or toilets.
3. Maintain your HVAC system. When the island heat gets a little too much to take, we all turn to our air conditioning systems to keep our employees cool. Make sure you have a friendly relationship with your local HVAC contractor will help keep air conditioner drain lines clear of sediment that can clog the line.
4. Keep the roof over your head. One of the biggest sources of water damage can come from a faulty roof. Missing, deteriorated, or damaged roofing materials can allow water to enter and damage ceilings or the interior of your business. If you notice a problem with the roof, address it immediately.
When you own your own business, you want to do everything in your power to protect it. If you’re concerned about guarding your business against water damage, contact your independent agent to review your business insurance policy to make sure that your property limits are adequate. Your agent can also help you determine whether or not flood insurance would be advisable for your location.