24 Jan How to Locate a Commercial Building Leak

While most water damage in buildings is a result of storms and flooding, there are some circumstances in which plumbing leaks and other types of small leaks also result in some significant damage. In fact, small leaks can be quite catastrophic, because they tend to go unnoticed for long periods of time, meaning issues such as mold and mildew can develop without the owner of the building noticing so it is extremely important to know how to find a water leak.

This is especially problematic in commercial buildings, which use more water than residential buildings and which tend to be larger, meaning there are more potential spots for leaks to form without the building owner noticing the problem quickly.

With this in mind, here are a few examples of some of the most common issues to be on the lookout for when it comes to commercial building leak detection in Indianapolis, IN:

Leaks in a faucet: Leaky faucets are often neglected in commercial buildings because they’re seen as being a lower priority than other equipment issues. They are frequently the result of a worn-out component, such as a rubber washer that is used to create a seal in the faucet. If left unchecked, this can result in significant water loss and increases to your water bills, as well as potential damage to your faucet fixtures.

Toilet leaks: Commercial building toilets get a lot of use, especially in buildings that are open to the public. This means the parts will wear down faster than what you would expect out of a residential toilet. If you develop leaks in the toilet, the parts are simple and inexpensive to replace, but a failure to make the repairs quickly could lead to damage of other toilet components.

Plumbing leaks: Plumbing leaks are a bit harder to pinpoint, as they tend to be in out-of-the-way locations. They could happen as a result of broken water supply pipes or deterioration in sewer lines, but could also develop from broken pipes in cold weather. If you see any plaster crumbling, paint peeling, water stains, bulging walls, loose tiles or gaps in the grout, these could all be signs of leaking pipes behind walls. You should also be on the lookout for strange, musty odors, visible mold or increases in your water bills.

Roof leaks: Leaks in the roof can quickly turn into a major structural problem that poses safety risks to your facility. The roof might have had shingles come off due to high winds or storms, or they may have been improperly installed to begin with. The flashing could be damaged or improperly installed, or you might have improper sealing in roof valleys. Other common issues include leaking skylights, the formation of ice dams and clogged gutters.

Basement leaks: If your commercial property has a basement that has water leaking into it, some of the factors causing the issue could be poor interior concrete quality, insufficient slope and various issues with the foundation.

For more information about commercial building leak detection in Indianapolis, IN and what to do if you discover a leak, contact the team at Knauss Property Services, LLC today.