Water leaks are one of the worst kinds of disasters that you may ever have to deal with on your property. When they go unchecked, leaks can cause a lot of damage and can lead to loss of property and relocation. Water leaks are quite common, and it is good to stay prepared even if you have not encountered one yet. Water leaks, even though preventable, can be caused by several things and when faced with a leak in your property, what you do will determine the extent of damage that you might have.
Water loss from a burst pipe can lead to a loss of more than 400 liters an hour. This means the instant you spot a leak, no matter how small it is, you need to act immediately. Here is what you need to do the minute you spot a leak:
Turn Off the Water Supply
One of the first things you need to do is to turn off the main water supply to your building. This is the only way of preventing more water loss. Every property has it’s water meter and if you cannot locate yours then you need to call an expert commercial plumbing Melbourne to help you locate it.
Turn Off the Heating and Electricity
Water and electricity do not go together. You need to do this immediately if the building is flooded. However, if you notice that the water has already reached the level of the sockets or any other plugged-in electrical appliance then do not try to turn them off, instead, call your plumber if you had not called them yet. Remember, never touch any wet wiring or wet electrical appliances.
Try to Identify the Source
You might not be a professional plumber, but knowing the source of the leak will help you solve the problem faster as you wait for help to arrive. Once you know the source, you will be able to direct the plumbers on where to go so as to save on time.
Remove Any Items if it Is Safe to Do So
The more your office items sit on the water, the more they are likely to be damaged. Therefore, try as remove as many items as you can from the flooded area to a dry part of the property or outside.
Call Your Insurance Company
Whether the water leak has caused little or a significant amount of damage, you need to call an insurance company if you had insured your property against water damages. Call your insurance service provider immediately so that they can be able to assess the damages and collect any necessary information that they need.
Clean Up the Area Immediately
In the event of a small leak, you need to dry the area so that you can prevent water from being absorbed into the floor or walls. This will prevent mold and mildew that may cause more problems in the future. Remember to wear protective clothing like boots, gloves, and dust masks.
In cases of floods, water draining companies have the right tools that will help remove all the water from your building and also dry and aerate the area well to prevent the growth of mold. You might, however, have to be put out of your office for a while.
Conclusion
If you are faced with a water leak at your place of business, do not panic. Act fast and call a qualified professional immediately. Leaks, when early detected, will cause minimal damages and this will not cost you much in terms of repairs and replacements.
short url: