What Is Commercial Property Restoration?

Commercial property restoration is repairing and restoring a business after damage to its property. This can include damage from several different sources, including natural disasters, water, fire, smoke, and mold.

After disaster strikes, commercial restoration companies offer business clients a range of services, including office building inspection, cleanup, property reconstruction, smoke and odor removal, mold remediation, carpet cleaning, biohazard cleanup and removal of debris.

What are the common causes of property damage in commercial buildings?

Has your business flooded? Perhaps your property was damaged because of fire, smoke, or other water damage. What about mold?

Property damage and dealing with the cleanup process can feel overwhelming. As a business owner, it helps to understand some of the most common ways your commercial building can become damaged, so you can take steps to prevent it before it even happens.

Fire damage

Every year, commercial building fires put lives at risk and cause significant financial losses for business owners. Since commercial fires are more common than residential fires, it’s important to ensure you are aware of these common causes:

Electrical issues

Problems with faulty electrical wiring, overloaded circuits and old, outdated electrical systems are the leading culprits that lead to commercial building fires. Faulty appliances and equipment also contribute significantly to fire risks on your commercial property.

Human error

How many people – not including your employees – visit your office building on any given workday? No matter how careful we are, mistakes happen, whether it’s leaving a microwave or stove unattended, improperly disposing of material, plugging too many things into an extension cord, or even letting too much paper pile up on workstations or in cluttered common or storage areas. All it takes is a single spark or fallen ember to accidentally start a fire that could devastate your business.

Cooking and heating equipment

Year after year, cooking-related fires account for up to 30% of non-residential fires. Improper use of cooking or heating equipment, faulty appliances, lack of maintenance or training, and no access to fire extinguishers or safety gear can easily lead to these types of fires.

Arson

Deliberately set, or intentional fires, are considered arson, and account for roughly 10% of commercial fires each year. Unfortunately, this type of fire also causes the most damage to commercial buildings and is the leading cause of injuries or death among building visitors. Signs of potential arson are also difficult to predict, detect and stop because there are usually little to no signs before an intentional fire is set.

Flammable materials

Many workplace fires can be traced back to the use or storage of either flammable chemicals on site, or to the use of furniture or materials in the workplace that are highly flammable. Flammable chemicals emit fumes or vapors that combust, while office furniture, carpeting, and furnishings often use cheaper materials that easily catch fire under the right conditions.

Water damage

Imagine this: You prepare to open your business for the day. You unlock the door, walk in, and find water everywhere. Everything was fine when you left last night, so where did all this water come from?

When most people think of water damage, the most obvious things that immediately come to mind are water leaks, broken pipes or flooding. However, water damage can also occur from many other less obvious sources.

Roof leaks

Did you know that roof leaks are one of the leading causes of water damage in commercial buildings? Responsible for an estimated 15% of commercial water damage claims, roof leaks often result in severe damage to ceilings, walls and floors. Small cracks, open seams, tears or holes, clogged drains, broken downspouts, standing water on flat roof surfaces, lack of proper drainage, and damaged flashing can all contribute, as well as the weather. Since roof damage and subsequent leaks often go unnoticed for long periods of time, building owners need to remain diligent in ensuring their company’s roof is maintained regularly.

Sprinkler system malfunctions

While advanced fire protection systems are essential for protecting your business from fires, malfunctioning sprinklers, faulty equipment, and other system failures can quickly lead to unexpected water damage. Sprinkler issues account for 14% of water damage cases when it comes to commercial property.

Broken pipes and sewer backups

Burst pipes, plumbing issues and backed-up sewers can cause nightmarish flooding on commercial property. When a pipe breaks, it could be due to age or incorrect installation, as well as weather. Winter weather can also bring freezing temperatures that affect pipes, creating lots of headaches for commercial property owners. Sewer backups on commercial property can be caused by several factors, including grease buildup, tree root intrusion, illegal or incorrect plumbing connections, improper disposal of solid waste, soil settlement and pipe damage or deterioration. Regular maintenance and routine inspections or testing of plumbing and sewer lines can help prevent significant damage.

Equipment malfunctions

Another common but often overlooked cause of water damage results from broken appliances and equipment. Dishwashers, water heaters, washing machines, freezers, refrigerators, and HVAC systems are all susceptible to breaking down over time, leading to unexpected water overflows that damage floors, walls, and other nearby items.

Mold growth

Since mold requires water to grow, it is important to prevent and remediate moisture problems in commercial buildings. Mold can develop and grow in commercial buildings from several sources, including:

Water leaks – Leaks from roofs, pipes, plumbing fixtures, broken equipment, and weather events or natural disasters can easily lead to mold growth.

Flooding – Flash flooding, heavy rain, and rushing water can quickly overwhelm and damage commercial buildings. Only a few inches of water can cause extreme damage. In addition to being the perfect breeding ground for mold, floods can also cause power outages, electrical issues, and respiratory concerns.

Poor ventilation – Improper ventilation, especially in HVAC equipment, can trap water, which contributes to high humidity and condensation, creating a conducive environment for mold growth.

Choosing the right commercial property restoration partner

Atlantic Property Restoration is a licensed contractor and restoration company with a wealth of experience in repairing and restoring various properties. We work closely with homeowners, property managers, insurance adjusters and HOAs to provide top-notch restoration and construction services. Our Rapid Response Guarantee ensures our experienced team will be on-site promptly to assess the damage and start the restoration process as quickly as possible. Choose APR for your restoration needs, and let us provide you with reliable, efficient and exceptional restoration services. Contact us today to learn more about the APR difference.