Protect your property from water damage

Although water is essential for life, it can also be a destructive force that damages your property or home. Water damage can affect commercial and residential buildings as well as homes. It can lead to increased maintenance costs, decreased property value, lower productivity, liability, and a decline in indoor air quality. It is important to ensure that all components of the building, also known as the building envelope, are water-resistant, it can be done with the help of home inspection in Ottawa. You will also want to ensure that the manufacturing processes do not permit excess water to build up. Last, ensure that plumbing and ventilation systems are properly maintained. These systems can be very complex in buildings. This article outlines some steps to identify and eliminate potentially harmful excess moisture.

Repair all cracks and leaks

These are the most common sources of water intrusion in buildings:

• Windows and Doors: Look for leaks in your storefronts, windows, and doors.
• Roof: Poor drainage systems and slopes reduce roof life and lead to moisture intrusion. It is common to see leaks around the exhaust, plumbing, rooftop air-conditioning units or other specialized equipment.
• Exterior walls and foundations: Repair cracks or holes in exterior walls, joints, and foundations. They are often a result of differential soil settlement.
• Plumbing: Look for leaking fixtures, dripping plumbing (including fire sprinkler system), clogged drains both interior and exterior, defective water drainage systems or damaged manufacturing equipment.
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems: Many types are essential to maintain a healthy work environment. There are many components, including chilled water pipes and condensation drains that can contribute to excess moisture in the workplace. The system’s function is also to lower the relative humidity (ambient air moisture) in humid environments. This function will not be performed if the HVAC system is not properly maintained.

Water intrusion prevention through good inspection and maintenance programs

To ensure they are in top condition, hire a qualified inspector:

• Flashings and sealants: Flashing is a thin metal strip that can be found around doors, windows, and roofs. It prevents water infiltration where two building materials meet. Caulking and sealants are used to prevent moisture from entering building joints. Both must be kept in top condition.
• Vents: All vents must have the appropriate hoods and exhaust to the outside.
• Examine the use of production equipment, which may contain water for cooling or processing. Make sure wastewater is properly drained and there are no spillages. Condensation around heat-transfer or hot materials should be checked.
• Commercial buildings have more complex HVAC systems. You should inspect the supply and return water lines and pumps for leakage. Clear obstructions from drain lines. Insulating ductwork is important to avoid condensation from exterior surfaces.
• Humidity: Other than in special facilities, relative humidity should not exceed 30% to 50% in your building. Low relative humidity can be indicated by condensation on windows, damp walls and ceilings, or musty odours. To determine if your HVAC system has been properly sized and is in good condition, contact a contractor, mechanical engineer or air-conditioning repair firm. When interior renovations are planned, a mechanical engineer should be consulted.
• Moisture-prone areas: Clean and dry any surfaces that are subject to moisture.
• expansion joints: Expansion joint are materials between bricks and pipes that absorb movement. Water intrusion can happen if expansion joints aren’t in good condition.

Protection from Water Damage

• Interior finish materials: Replace plaster, plaster, carpet, and stained or damaged ceiling tiles. These signs are not only a sign of a moisture intrusion issue, but they can also cause damage to the workplace if left untreated.
• Exterior walls: Exterior wall assemblies are usually made up of several materials. The assembly, when properly designed and built, is your first line of defence against water damage to your building’s interior. They must be properly maintained, including regular refinishing and/or sealing with the right materials.
• Storage areas: Storage should be kept clean. To prevent moisture accumulation, allow air to circulate.

Respond Quickly to Water Intrusion

You can label shut-off valves to make it easy to close the water supply in case of a leak. Water intrusion can be minimized by treating the problem promptly and thoroughly. You should immediately remove any standing water or moist materials and consult a professional building contractor. If your building is damaged by an extreme event such as fire, flood, or storm, you should immediately take the necessary steps to prevent further water damage. You can board up windows that have been damaged, cover a roof with plastic sheeting and/or remove wet materials. Your prompt action will minimize the cost and time required to repair, which will allow for a quicker recovery.