One of the causes of loss during construction is water damage. This phenomenon represents a relatively large portion of risk claims among different builders. Water damage is a common occurrence in quite a number of construction projections both small and large.
With timely water damage loss mitigation measures in place, contractors can significantly reduce and prevent project delays and monetary losses. A quick response will undoubtedly benefit all parties involved, including the contractor, the property owner, and the insurer. Many water damage losses can be reduced or mitigated if quick response with a restoration company is in your plan. Unfortunately, most water damage losses are not preventable. Plumbing material failures, and acts by Mother Nature happen often.
How New Construction Water Damage Occurs
Water damage at a new construction site happens when water enters the building envelope. Alternatively, water damage occurs due to internal building releases. If left unchecked, water damage can become costly when a water-sensitive appliance is installed, or interior construction is completed.
Besides costly repairs, rework on the project damaged by water releases leads to project delays, huge losses, and ultimately, displeased owners.
Common causes of water damage in new construction include:
- Unsecured building opening
- Drainage system failure
- Water delivery failure
- Subsurface drainage problems
- Material storage problems
- Site drainage problems
- Building envelope system failure
- Structural element and foundation problems
Quick Response
Almost all water damages can be reduced or mitigated, especially when handled at the right time. You just need to take relatively easy-to-implement risk management best practices into consideration to prevent further damage to your new construction project. Your prevention measures should follow these phases of construction:
1. Pre-Construction
With this water damage mitigation, you only need to take into account a formal Quality Assessment & Quality Control or QA/QC design program. You may also include a constructability review in your pre-construction water damage prevention measures. A site review and a mitigation plan can help get water damage under control fast.
2. Active Construction
General program measures for water damage prevention encompass several steps. Unfortunately, access to many of the measures which will help prevent leaks is not available during the construction of a building, such as utilization of water leak detection, water leak monitoring, temporary and permanent water supply, and specific QA/QC. However, having a relationship and procedures for fast response established with a trusted restoration company at the beginning of any construction initiative is the best way to help ensure any potential problems will be dealt with swiftly throughout the lifespan of the project.
3. Project Close-Out
It is important to maintain a comprehensive checklist team during the construction project close-out period. At the same time, you should consider reserving and placing on alert your team for check-list related repairs. Post-construction close-out ensures that there are adequate resources to close the construction project properly without water damage problems.
Make sure to maintain an active team that can quickly respond to water damage issues and resolves them as soon as they occur. In case water leaks are discovered in your new construction project, take necessary action to prevent further damage. With that being said, your checklist should include:
- Unsecured building openings on the doors, windows, roof, and exterior wall deficiencies
- Drainage or water delivery failure involving plumbing, fire protection, mechanical and drainage systems
- Site drainage problems due to improper drainage and inadequate retention ponds
- Structural and foundation elements problems caused by cracks or fissures in waterproofing structures, separation of the building envelop elements, flooded or undermined excavations, and excessive/premature loading
Time to Call an Expert
New construction is tricky, costly, and complex. As such there are so many unknown and unpredictable factors, from weather to humidity to leaking pipes. If water or mold becomes an issue on a residential or commercial job site, having a trusted restoration company is key to getting the project back on track. Reach out to STOP Restoration today for a quick response to your new construction water damage.
