A little drop of rain surely can’t hurt that much, can it? We certainly get our fair share here in Ireland, after all. All of that accumulated rainfall can indeed be hazardous to buildings and structural engineers must always account for precipitation when designing them. Roofs should direct and manage rainfall and protect the building interior from the elements, so any leaks are an immediate sign that they aren’t fulfilling their primary purpose. These could happen from neglect, sudden impact, or gradual wear and tear of the roof and its components.
Not only can commercial water leaks pose a risk to the building itself and those inside of it, they can also lead to significant downtime and a loss of productivity – in other words, they can cost you quite a bit if they aren’t addressed quickly. Here’s a five-step emergency plan to deal with a leak:
Step-by-Step Emergency Action Plan
Step 1: Identify the Leak Source Quickly
The first step is to identify the source of the leak. Many times, it will be obvious, such as visible dripping or water marks along the ceiling or walls; other times, it may not be so apparent. Commercial leak detection systems such as moisture meters, sensors, or thermal imaging cameras can help reveal precise leak locations in the roof.
Water leak detection for commercial buildings often ideally includes many techniques, including manual inspections and advanced commercial water leak detection systems. Naturally, large roofs will have more potential entry points for leaks than small roofs, but no matter the size of the roof the source must be isolated as quickly as possible.
Step 2: Shut Off Water Supply Immediately
Once the leak’s source has been identified and located, it’s essential to shut off the water supply as soon as possible. The shutoff valve may be located in a mechanical room, outside of the building near the water meter, and there may be additional individual shutoff valves at fixture points, e.g. near the HVAC unit, hot water heater, etc.
The water supply should be shut off because sometimes, the source of the leak itself could be a water tower, HVAC unit, or plumbing line high up in the building. Even if the leak is from a damaged roof, however, rainwater seeping in could interfere with the building’s electrical system, exacerbate the damage done to plumbing, HVAC, and other systems, and increase the likelihood of mould.
Step 3: Contact a Professional Maintenance Team
After isolating the leak and shutting off the water supply, it’s time to get in touch with a qualified commercial roofing expert. Naturally and given the urgency of the situation, you should contact an emergency commercial roofer such as Brosnan Property Solutions who are available for call-out 24/7.
A professional maintenance team can arrive at your commercial premises on short notice, day or night, and begin working on containing the leak and remediating damage done to the roof afterwards. There’s no sense in delaying a call to a qualified and insured commercial roofing contractor, so whether you’re in Cork, Munster, or beyond, call Brosnan for fast and professional roof repairs.
Step 4: Minimise Property Damage & Start Dry-Out
A water leak for commercial property can be catastrophic if not dealt with promptly. Property damage is only one of many costs that can be incurred. Disruption to normal business operations can lead to a loss in revenue, customer and employee dissatisfaction, and delaying or neglecting a leak can lead to many other problems that will certainly cost more later on.
Minimising property damage is only one of the many benefits of commercial roof repairs from emergency roofing contractors like Brosnan Property Solutions. Our team will follow up any essential roofing repairs with damage mitigation and drying up of any water that’s infiltrated the premises. This may be done with industrial shop vacs, dehumidifiers, and other professional equipment.
Step 5: Inspect, Repair & Prevent Future Leaks
Dealing with a leak in a commercial property is essential, but it’s also important to monitor and evaluate what happened and take precautions so that it doesn’t happen again – if it can be helped, of course.
Preventative services could include having the roof thoroughly inspected afterwards to ensure that there are no dislodged or missing tiles or roofing panels where water may seep through in the future, addressing any rot or corrosion to the roof’s structure, and ensuring that all flashing points are likewise keeping water at bay rather than letting it in.
Also consider annual (or more frequently, if required) roofing inspections to ensure that the roof is in good condition and to address any repairs sooner rather than later.
Why Commercial Leak Response Matters
Commercial leak response is important for mitigating damage to your property, keeping yourself and anyone inside of the premises safe, and restoring the functionality of your roof. It’s also important – especially for business owners in Ireland – to minimise downtime and to allow operations to resume at the earliest possible convenience.
Emergency Response Services from Brosnan help to ensure that your business is compliant with the law and with health and safety regulations, you’re compliant with your insurers and showing due diligence, and it’s also an important component of comprehensive Facility Management Services.
Act Soon, Act Fast to Address Commercial Building Leaks
Time is of the essence if you’ve detected a building leak for your commercial property. The sooner you address a water leak, the less likelihood you’ll have to deal with the onset of mould and other health hazards, damage to building components, and further damage to the roof.
For 24/7 emergency call-out for commercial properties in Cork, Munster, and elsewhere in Ireland, we encourage you to Contact Us as soon as possible for commercial leaks.
