Water Damage From Sprinkler System Malfunctions at Woodbridge, CT Commercial Properties

7/9/2018 (Permalink)

Our crew restored this Shelton, CT commercial property after a sprinkler system malfunction caused water damage throughout the building.

Having a sprinkler system installed at your commercial property is an effective way to protect your business from fire damage. A sprinkler system that is properly working can make the difference between full recovery from a fire in your place of business or irreversible damage and loss of property.  On occasion, though, a sprinkler system malfunctions and causes water damage to a property even though no fire has occurred.  Our office receives numerous calls each year from businesses that have had water damage from their sprinkler systems. Our team has seen that this damage is caused by a few common reasons. 

Installation Errors 

If your sprinkler system was poorly installed or poorly maintained, your system is at risk of mechanical damage. Mechanical damages can include over-tightening fittings, improperly installed sprinkler heads, and a variety of other mistakes made during installation. 

Overheated Sprinkler Heads 

Sprinkler systems are activated by heat, so it is important that the temperature at their location be controlled. If installed near a skylight or heater, the temperature can become high enough to set them off.  If there are construction or heat source changes to your building, make sure that the sprinkler heads are not affected by a change in temperature. 

Freezing Pipes 

We've seen this a few times in the wintertime. Just like the pipes to your house can freeze, so can the water in your sprinkler system. Frozen sprinkler pipes can cause the water to expand and crack, causing the water to flow freely once the temperature warms up again. Frozen sprinkler pipes can be prevented by adding antifreeze or insulating pipes during the cold winter months.  

Corroded Pipes 

Like any water-based system, sprinkler system pipes are also subject to corrosion.  Corrosion can impact the functionality of the system and even lead to leaks or breaks. Because of the pressure in these systems, a pipe burst can cause significant water damage. To help prevent corrosion, it is important to have your sprinkler system pipes inspected annually. 

Misuse 

Sprinkler system pipes are often used for the wrong purposes and this can cause stress to the system. We've inspected properties in which the pipes have been used to hang something on like ropes or chains in order to lift heavy items. We've also seen sprinkler systems that have been painted over, which will cause them to malfunction.  

When we receive a call from a business owner who is dealing with water damage, we know that our response time is critical. The sooner we arrive at the job, the less the damage will be and the smaller impact it will have on the businesses continuity. That's why SERVPRO of Milford-Orange-Stratford has a local, professional crew on call 24-7 to respond to the water damage at your New Haven County business.