Water damage during construction is a common problem that can cause massive amounts of money for homeowners, developers, and contractors. This article discusses the risks of water damage, how to prevent it, and how to manage it. In the end, you’ll be well on your way to avoiding this common problem. Read on to discover more. Listed below are a few steps you can take. These steps will help you avoid the damage and avoid costly lawsuits.
Costs of water damage to owners, developers and contractors
Water damage to a construction project can be costly. Fortunately, there are insurance policies to cover this cost. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize soft costs as well. These costs may not be readily measurable but they can still be significant enough to warrant insurance coverage. Identifying soft costs and identifying them is a critical step in timely completion of a construction project. Soft costs such as attorney’s fees can be covered as well.
Steps to take to prevent it
There are many different ways that water damage preventing water damage during construction can affect a construction site, but you can minimize the effects of a flood by taking certain steps. For instance, heavy rains can cause flooding at construction sites, which can result in ruined equipment. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to minimize the risk of water damage during construction. Listed below are some of the best practices for reducing the impact of flooding.
Always check charging systems for electrical devices, and provide a contact list for emergency personnel. Never use structural tubing that is thinner than specified, and be sure to keep all materials and equipment stored and installed properly. Properly installed equipment and properly stored materials are essential for preventing water damage during construction. Lastly, never leave water unattended, as this could lead to major structural problems. If you want to avoid costly damage, take these steps to avoid water-damage in your new construction.
Identifying the risk
Inspecting a building’s piping system is essential to avoid a major catastrophe during construction. Even the smallest leak can cause extensive damage and delay construction. Proper maintenance of the piping system is equally essential. The following are some steps you can take to prevent water damage:
Know the cause of water damage and the location of the source of the leak. In some cases, water damage occurs during off-hours. In some cases, the building could be affected by water running throughout before it’s discovered. It’s important to note that two-thirds of large water damage incidents occur after normal working hours, which means that the water was running throughout the building long before anyone realized it. Most incidents involve one to six storeys. One incident was particularly devastating: a ball-valve compression joint failed in the plant room on the top floor of a four-storey office block. The failure occurred only a few weeks after the valve was connected to mains water. Although the valve had been checked a few months earlier, the damage was substantial and construction was delayed for five months.
Managing it
A risk engineering guideline from HDI Risk Consulting, Managing water damage during construction, identifies multiple water-damage risk factors, provides concrete safety-related preventive measures, and suggests mitigation measures. By implementing targeted measures, contractors can prevent water-damage risks and complete work without interruption or delay. The guideline was developed by experienced construction engineers, and is tailored to the unique needs of contractors. Managing water damage during construction is a critical component of effective construction project management.
The sooner the damage is discovered, the better. Waiting to discover the problem later will only delay the project’s completion and raise the chances of further damages and higher repair costs. A water intrusion can occur during any construction phase, so contractors should take precautions to minimize its impact. Contractors should implement a comprehensive water damage response plan. By using leak detection/water sensors, contractors can mitigate the damage that may occur during construction.