Should You Worry about Water Damage from A Store’s Sprinkler System?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

Yes SERVPRO can help you when it comes to your Plainview commercial water damage, especially when fire sprinklers are involved.

Plainview Store Owners do not Want to Deal with More Water Damage than Necessary

Running a store in Plainview feels like a balancing act sometimes. You are in charge of everything, from employee training to health and safety, stock, and a hundred more little things. The security of your building is a primary concern. You need to make sure you meet fire regulations and that you have adequate warning systems, such as alarms in place.

Water sprinklers are an excellent way to protect your store and your staff. However, shop owners might worry about the potential for water damage to their Plainview premises if the water sprinklers go off. Can sprinklers leak? And what should you do in the event of a problem?

Why are water sprinklers a good idea?

Water sprinklers activate in the fire and can be instrumental in dousing the flames and preventing the spread. However, some entrepreneurs worry about whether they will cause water damage to their store and stock. Some store owners have asked SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview if it is true that sprinklers cause even more harm than fire hoses.

Thankfully, this is not true. Fire Hoses use water at a higher pressure and with more chemicals. Sprinklers are less damaging, and if they can prevent the need to call out the fire service, that is even better. Sprinklers are activated by high temperatures, which means they switch on automatically.

Another thing to consider is the risk of soot damage. Soot is a sticky, grimy substance that:

• Coats fabrics and textiles
• Bonds to heat-damaged metal and plastic
• Creates lingering smoke odors that are hard to get rid of

Soot damage combined with firefighting damage is a lot bigger risk to your store than water from the sprinklers. Installing them means less chance of a blaze getting out of control and a costly restoration bill.

Can water sprinklers leak?

Yes. Water sprinklers can leak due to:

• Freezing of water pipes
• Overheating from extreme heat near the sprinkler head
• Mechanical faults or faulty installation
• Corrosion of sprinkler head and fittings
• Stress cracking of sprinkler pipe
  
  

You can help prevent leaks by ensuring the pipes do not freeze or get overheated and ask the manufacturer about how to maintain your system.

Should you attempt to dry the water damage yourself?

If your sprinklers have gone off, do not attempt to remediate the damage by yourself. SERVPRO does not recommend DIY remediation because:

• Wet fabrics can quickly sprout mold if you do not dry them correctly
• There might be hidden water damage such as under the carpet or behind the baseboard
• Sprinkler leaks can deposit rust or buildup, which can stain fabrics and furniture

It is better to call in a professional company with the correct equipment to handle every aspect of water restoration. We will leave your store, “Like it never even happened.”

How can SERVPRO help?

We can help you with every aspect of water damage, from initial cleanup to deodorizing your property before we leave.

We begin by assessing the damage to let you know what we need to do and the projected results. We can help you assess what items you can salvage and which ones you must toss out.

Before we dry your store, we remove excess water with pumps and carpet wands. We can also use free-standing extractors to press out water if your store has carpets. The more water we can remove now, the quicker and easier it will be to dry your store.

We use fans and air movers to create evaporation and dry out the floor, walls, and wet furniture or possessions. We also monitor moisture and humidity levels as we go, to ensure everything is completely dry. We can also use air scrubbers and foggers to deodorize your premises afterward.

Why do you need a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile?

SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile (ERP) helps your staff prepare for any disaster, including water damage. It is easy to set up – you download the free app, and then use a PC or laptop to set up an account. The app guides you through your premises and prompts you about which information to capture. It will also tell you when you need to take pictures.

Your ERP profile includes all the vital information about your business, including electric and water shutoff points, which are useful to know in the event of sprinklers activating. You can also input critical phone numbers such as your local water damage restoration service (us!), the sprinkler manufacturer, and your insurance company. Finally, you can put together a plan for getting your business back on its feet after a disaster and include the chain of command, so staff knows who to call.

Do not try to handle water damage yourself. Call SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview at (516) 733-1800.