You have probably encountered annoying water pipes dripping. At first, it drives you crazy, but after a couple of days, you just get used to the constant drips. However, these small leaks are more dangerous than just annoying sounds. In most cases, water damage comes from leaking pipes, floods, storms, sewage backups, and damaged appliances. These damages may happen wherever the pipes and water installations are present. Office buildings are not an exception. Water damage can be highly devastating in situations where it has been ignored for a long period of time. These consequences are quite dramatic and can vary from ugly wall stains to flooding penetrating the entire space. So, here are some consequences you may face in office buildings.

1.  Space Pollution

There are different types of water and post-water-damage treatments have different approaches to each of them. Very often your best bet is to call in a water damage specialist; a WDS to evaluate. White water damage, or water seeping in from above, is generally caused by a damaged roof. Most likely, you will end up with huge water stains on the ceiling and walls, along with small pools of water on the floor. This type of water will not significantly  pollute your space, but you should be cautious because of the moisture since it can support mold and bacteria growth. If you’re wondering how to fix a leaking roof from the inside, it’s important to first identify the source of the leak and address it promptly. Hiring a professional roofer is recommended for proper assessment and repair to prevent further damage and potential health hazards associated with mold and bacteria growth.

In contrast to this, gray water and black water originating from toilets or sewage systems are the worst ones to be handled. Usually, this water contains bacteria and harmful particles and can therefore pollute the space. There are many other issues these may cause. Besides the unbearable odor, you can face mold development, power outages, and construction problems. Most experts do not recommend people deal with black or gray water on their own. You should call professionals to help you. According to our friends who do the water restoration service in Austin, one of the best ways to deal with water is to recognize the problem right away and react accordingly. This could be tricky in office buildings because of multiple floors and appliances connected to the system. Seeking professional help is the wisest way to go.

2.  Installation Failures

When dealing with the great-water-flow water damage in multi-floored buildings, you need to beware of the power sources. Once you stop the water sources, the second step is to disconnect the gas and electricity. Why? Water and electricity are not a good combination. Apart from life-threatening situations, water damage results in installation failure and, in the worst scenarios, even fire. After the water damage, it would be smart to check up on all the installations before being connected to the electrical network again to prevent some hazardous situations that could seriously affect your budget.

3.  Mold and Hidden Moisture

The struggle with mildew and fungi is that they need only 24 hours to start growing, and this can be real trouble. Unfortunately, you cannot predict where mildew and mold will grow, and most office building owners take it for granted. Spores of mildew and mold are transferred by air. This means that disinfecting only the affected area is not an efficient solution. Depending on the damage time span, there could be smaller and bigger mold and mildew space pollution. Also, depending on the type of water that caused the damage, there could be different types of fungi and bacteria, and some of them are known to be highly toxic.

Hidden moisture is yet another consequence of water damage. The truth is that hidden moisture may cause serious damage to the office space and can support the growth of bacteria, mold, and other contaminants that can cause serious health issues. So, when inspecting the area, take a look under the carpets and floorboards and check if water has penetrated underneath. Moreover, there can also be leaks to the lower floors, which can cause even more damage.

4.  Destroyed Office Inventory

If there are any porous materials, then be prepared for a major attack on your budget. If you have had problems with huge water flows, then replacing things such as drywall, carpeting, and flooring is mandatory. Again, with the office buildings, this can be a long process. Not to mention destroyed furniture and office appliances, which are yet another item on the list to be re-purchased after water damage.

Going through water damage is always a big deal and can seriously affect your budget. It is never easy to go through this process, especially in the office building environment. By considering these consequences, you will be aware of things you should pay attention to if you ever experience water damage.

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