Avoid These 3 Long-Term Complications of Wet Floor Damage

11/8/2020 (Permalink)

Wet floor damage in Highland Beach, FL

As a business owner in Highland Beach, FL, you are constantly planning and taking the important steps necessary to protect your investment. Changing seasons often present the demands of extreme heat and cold that may adversely affect your facility and create irreparable damage. When dropping temperatures cause a pipe burst, you need immediate action to ensure unaddressed damage doesn't create costly aftermath for your flooring.

Consider These Three Major Complications

1. Not All Wood Is Treated Equally
Wood flooring has the benefit and protection of being pressure-treated and flood-resistant which is a huge relief in the event of a spill or encounter with liquid. It does not, however, ensure that the untreated subfloor or structural wood has protection from more extreme levels of saturation. When these untreated surfaces encounter moisture, they may swell within 72 hours, causing nail popping, an outward drive of nails, and warping effects that make it difficult or often impossible for the sheathing to be held by nails.

2. Decay Comes To Stay
One of the more subtle effects is that the natural fibers of the wood floor can absorb water and start to rot. This adversely influences the physical integrity of the material and the building's overall structure. More disconcertingly, this may not present as immediate damage from your pipe burst. Sometimes such damage goes unnoticed for weeks, months or even years, until it is all but irreparable.

3. Mold Can Also Harm Your Building
Failing to promptly remove wet floors and materials within 24-48 hours promotes mold and fungi growth, leading to possible structural damage to your building as well as destroying items. Many of the materials when properly removed can be returned relatively undamaged and prevent long-term displacement of staff and interruption of business. Mold growth increases with the passage of time, so do not hesitate to address the damage with a professional water restoration company.
Having a pipe burst can be an unexpected and frustrating experience for commercial properties. Thankfully, staying educated and knowing when to act can minimize costs and complications, restoring peace of mind.