How To Keep Your Construction Site Protected Against Water Damage

2/22/2022 (Permalink)

Follow these tips and Keep Your White Bear Lake, MN Construction Site Protected Against Water Damage.

As a project manager, encountering water damage at your construction site can be anxiety-provoking, to say the least. It can be extremely costly, not only for expensive supplies but also for plumbing issues such as performing a water pipe repair. Fortunately, there are a few relatively easy ways to ensure that your White Bear Lake, MN site is protected against various types of water incursion.

What Are Some Common Problems and How Can I Avoid Them?

Whatever type of construction you're performing, there is always a risk of sustaining water damage. There are several precautions to take from the beginning that can significantly reduce the risk of excess moisture.

1. Confirm Proper Site Drainage

If your construction site has improper drainage, water can pool around the work area, causing damage. To prevent this pooling, you can grade the land to better drain the site or you can create drainage systems using drainpipes and drain screens.

2. Ensure Secure Pipe Fittings

Faulty drain and pipe fittings can develop a leak issue sooner or later. A thorough inspection can further prevent a leaky, broken pipe. If you want to ensure a much small risk of leaks, soldering the pipe joints is much more solid than crimping.

3. Secure Every Building Opening

Buildings under construction can have many open areas where rainwater can enter the structure. Stairwells, elevator shafts, open windows and doors, and unfinished roofs can allow water to come in but not dry quickly. Installing and maintaining temporary roofs are an ideal option for securing these openings until they're entirely constructed. Keep an eye on these quick fixes to ensure they are sufficiently waterproofing them.

4. Prevent Pipes From Freezing

Unprotected pipes in cold climates can develop frozen water inside, eventually causing them to expand and burst. Freezing pipes can cause significant property damage, requiring expensive water pipe repair. You can wrap the pipes in insulation or heat tape to avoid this problem.

5. Test All Suspect Areas

Before leaving an area susceptible to water intrusion, test the areas to make sure they are water-tight. Doing this can prevent the surprise of discovering a flooded site when you return the following morning.

6. Make Sure Important Materials Are Properly Stored

In addition to protecting the structure's interior, it's essential to protect your sensitive equipment like computers and vital documents. Keep these items in waterproof containers or under thick tarps or large plastic sheets.

7. Check All Water Delivery and Drainage Systems

Construction sites often contain several systems that present the risk of water damage. These systems include plumbing, fire protection and drainage systems. To lower the risk of any water issues, make sure you have quality systems, have professionals install and inspect the systems, watch the systems closely for a while after charging them.

The potential for a flooded construction site is nothing to take lightly. Not only can it cause a delay in progress, but it can also cause the need for professional work such as water pipe repair or the services of water damage restoration specialists.

Begin implementing these suggestions for your next job to ensure a smooth-running construction project from start to finish.