Before you buy, lease, or rent a new commercial space, water damage is the last thing any business owner wants to deal with. Checking your business property (which may also be your home) for water damage can be tricky, especially if you don’t know what to look for. That’s why knowing a few basics can be extremely useful. Below, we outline what can cause water damage, how inspectors check for it, how you can investigate it, and ways to prevent it.
What causes water damage?
A variety of factors can cause water damage, such as:
- Site and subsurface drainage problems
- Foundation and structural element problems
- Building envelope deficiencies
- Unsecured or improperly sealed doors, windows, and roof openings
- Faulty or aging materials
- Internal plumbing deficiencies
- Carelessness (leaving taps open, or knocking off a sprinkler head, etc.)
- Improper connections or hook-ups of water using devices or appliances
- Freezing of pipes
- Catastrophic weather events
Where do inspectors check for water damage?
Inspectors typically start from the top and work their way down a home/building structure. Here’s where they’ll usually look:
- Attic
- Ceiling
- Under sinks and plumbing
- Bathrooms
- Kitchen
- Laundry room and washing machine
- Furnace and duct work
- Basement
- Crawlspaces
- Water heater or boiler
The outside of a home/building structure is also important, so inspectors also may look at the following:
- Roof
- Gutters and eavestrough
- Sheds or storage buildings
- Garage
- Exterior water sources
How do inspectors check for water damage?
- Water marks or wet spots on the ceiling: Water marks left on the ceiling can indicate a leak from pipes, the roof, the attic, or upper floors.
- Discoloured walls and cracking/flaking drywall: Drywall is meant to stay dry. When it is exposed to moisture, it can warp and rot over time. Keep an eye out for yellow-brown stains and discolouration, as well as any peeling paint or wallpaper.
- Mould: Mould on walls may mean more than surface level issues. It could mean you have a leaky pipe that is affecting your insulation and drywall.
- Warping: Warped floors could indicate a high level of moisture underneath your floorboards or an issue with your foundation.
- Rust: Rust can indicate prolonged exposure to moisture or water.
- Furniture damage: Look for stains, mould, or swelling on furniture, which could indicate water leaking from elsewhere.
- Strange odours: A musty odour may indicate poor ventilation and more. Here’s how you can improve indoor air quality.
It’s easy to overlook obvious and visible signs of water damage because it occurs slowly over time, or you may just be used to how something looks, thinking it doesn’t look “that bad.” Before you shrug off another day of water damage, take a good hard look and see if it’s something you should have checked out or replaced.
Additional ways to investigate water damage:
- Review renovation history: Was a renovation previously done to repair or cover up any issues? It’s important that the work was done well, as most water damage losses occur due to faulty workmanship. Ensure a certified subcontractor handled past repairs or renovations and, if possible, make sure they are a member of their applicable professional association.
- Check claims history: Find out if there have ever been any claims made against the property for water or sewage backups.
- Ask the neighbours: You may end up meeting your prospective neighbours, so why not take the opportunity to ask them about their experiences with their properties? Be sure to ask about any issues they’ve had – like water damage.
- Look at utility bills: Unusually high utility bills for the area could reveal an underlying issue.
- Ask an expert: It’s a good idea to bring an inspector in to do their own evaluation before you buy, lease, or rent. If you spot anything that concerns you, they may see the same things as well. Buying a property is expensive, so it’s a small investment for long-term peace of mind.
Preventing water damage to your property
While you can’t stop natural disasters or remind a neighbour to turn off a tap, you can protect yourself against water damage by trying out some of these tips:
- Check indoor and outdoor waterproofing and refresh any sealants as needed.
- Check your roof and ensure you get an under the roof water shield membrane the next time the roof is done.
- Landscape with drainage in mind. If there are particular spots near your property’s foundation that get especially wet, consider ways to keep water from pooling.
- Check your basement for moist or musty odours, as that could be a sign of hidden leaks, which can cause mould. Learn what can cause basement flooding.
- Repair any interior or exterior cracks promptly.
Additional tips for preventing water damage
Water damage prevention has evolved with technology and best practices. Here are a few extra steps to keep your property safe:
- Install smart leak detectors: These devices alert you to leaks in real time and can even trigger automatic shut-off valves.
- Monitor water usage: Submeters and monitoring tools help detect hidden leaks and unusual consumption patterns.
- Seasonal maintenance:
- Insulate exposed pipes and maintain heating in vacant areas to prevent freezing.
- Inspect roof drains regularly, especially on flat roofs, to avoid pooling water.
- Schedule routine checks:
- Monthly: Inspect plumbing seals and appliance hoses.
- Quarterly: Check roof drainage systems.
- Annually: Hire a professional to inspect sprinkler systems and water heaters.
- Review insurance coverage: Ensure you have sewer backup, flood endorsements, and business interruption coverage for water-related closures.
Protect your property with insurance
“Water” and “damage” are two of the most dreaded words home and business owners hear. Water damage can be expensive to fix, inside and outside of a property. Having the right insurance coverage can help you recover from any financial losses caused by leaks, flooding, or plumbing issues. To learn more about how you can safeguard your property against such risks, visit our Business Insurance page today.
