5 Ways to Prevent Water Damage in Buildings Under Construction

This submit is a part of a sequence sponsored by IAT Insurance Group.

Water harm stands as a persistent menace to buildings underneath development, rating as one of many main causes of property loss worldwide.

In the U.S. alone, the annual incurred loss quantities attributed to climate and non-weather-related water harm are equal to $500 million^[1], emphasizing the numerous monetary burden this harm can place on development tasks.

As buildings take form, water could seep in by way of numerous avenues, exploiting vulnerabilities by means of floor water flooding, uncovered or short-term roof methods, wind-driven rains, water service provide traces, and water drain traces. Understanding the pervasive nature of water and its capacity to infiltrate any obtainable opening underscores the necessity for sturdy danger administration methods.

How to determine a job website particular plan

The first and most vital step in stopping water harm throughout development is to determine a job website particular plan. Each challenge may have its personal challenges based mostly on location, topography development strategies and meant occupancy. General Contractors or Construction Managers ought to designate a reliable particular person to supervise and handle the location particular plan and guarantee ample employees and applicable provides can be found to reduce potential loss. The following 5 steps will assist in your plan creation.

1. Establish day one website grading and floor water controls. Have engineered storm water drain methods put in as early as attainable. The website grading ought to direct water away from the constructing. Keep drains clear all through the development course of utilizing silt fencing and/or hay bales to maintain overseas materials out. Ensure the supply of working pumps to take away water from pits, excavations, and different low-lying areas the place water isn’t desired.

2. Protect supplies, provides and constructing methods. Supplies and supplies which might be extremely prone to water harm equivalent to drywall, ceiling tiles, and electrical parts ought to wait to be delivered till the constructing is watertight. If early supply is critical, shield what you’ve received saved on the job website by utilizing tarps to cowl objects and protecting objects raised off the ground with pallets.

3. Monitor climate and have a plan for approaching storms. Whenever attainable, don’t begin inside end work equivalent to drywall, paint and trim work on flooring the place partitions, window openings and roofs are usually not accomplished. If work should proceed, take each precaution to guard these areas with substantial wind-resistant plastic sheeting and different water-proofing strategies equivalent to short-term roof methods.

Pay particular consideration to flooring openings equivalent to electrical chases or elevator shafts the place water can harm tools and wiring on a number of flooring. Seal openings the place attainable or set up short-term dikes to maintain any floor water out. During rains, have employees and provides obtainable to reply to any water-related emergency to reduce harm.

4. During development, restrict energetic water sources throughout the constructing. It is finest to have obtainable water wanted for development exercise restricted to the bottom flooring throughout development. This minimizes harm if a leak happens or somebody forgets to completely shut a faucet. Charged water and drain traces throughout the constructing ought to be strain examined and absolutely inspected previous to inserting into service. Where relevant, shield pipes from freezing temperatures with everlasting constructing heating methods.

Consider putting in water detection or move alarms in areas that could be notably prone to break. This can also be vital for charged methods that ought to not see regular water move equivalent to automated sprinkler methods. Water detection methods can detect water on the flooring degree and ship a notification of the presence of water.

5. Perform constructing inspections. Whether or not inclement climate is predicted, it’s vital to guard in opposition to potential water harm. At the top of every work day, guarantee home windows and doorways are shut and any short-term tarps or roofs are correctly secured. Plumbing work ought to be checked for seen leaks, and make sure all water taps are fully shut off. Periodically performing a full inspection of your job website is also really helpful.

Best Practice: Shut off water provides on the most important service valves previous to leaving the challenge for any vital size of time. Consider doing this forward of a weekend or vacation interval to make sure peace of thoughts for these concerned within the challenge.

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Have a query on the right way to mitigate danger? Email losscontroldirect@iatinsurance.com for an opportunity to see your query answered in a future weblog.

By John Holpuch

[1] Risk & Insurance “Water Damage Is a Leading Cause of Commercial Real Estate Claims. How Sensor Technologies Help Mitigate These Claims,” July 26, 2023.

Topics
Construction