Do you think only homes suffer from water damage?
Offices and professional places can also face water damage, especially in cities where the weather conditions are usually raining. Scenarios like flash flooding can also mean that areas, where there is no fear of water damage, might end up facing these circumstances.
Unfortunately, most corporate offices are not prepared for water damage. Due to this, they end up facing a lot of issues. The following are some consequences of water damage that offices might face:
Loss of Data
If they are not stored properly, many offices are at risk of losing their data, whether it is in the form of paper files or hard drives. Flooding of floors can happen suddenly and without appropriate backups, offices are going to face huge losses.
In some cases, the water damage might unexpectedly like a burst pipe but there are usually warning signs. If the office continues to ignore the signs, the water damage caused will be huge and the losses faced will be greater too.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
With water damage, the indoor air quality of an office can really suffer. Most offices rely solely on HVAC systems and do not have open windows to offer ventilation. Given this factor, any mold or humidity in the air will affect everyone on the same floor or department.
The poor air quality will also cause low productivity, more illnesses and even more days off. It will negatively affect the health of the people. As they take more days off, it will cause more losses to the office. Their overall productivity and bottom-line are going to suffer.
More Risk of Mold
Ignored water damage in offices will cause the growth of mold. In many cases, this mold can quickly spread from one office to another. Additionally, it will contribute to poor indoor air quality. Some offices might end up spending more on improving air quality. But unless the mold issue is not resolved, it will not make a difference.
In offices, mold also tends to grow in hidden places and crevices. HVAC vents, behind heavy shelving or even underneath the carpeting are all areas that can be present. Additionally, the musty smell is also difficult to identify as offices will use air fresheners and more.
Fines
Workplace safety also means providing your workers with a safe and secure work environment. This means also making sure that you’re not exposing to unhealthy air quality or mold. If the building is water damaged, it might also not be safe for the employees to work in.
If the office disregards all of this and continues to work there, they can be subject to state-mandated fines. They can also be liable to lawsuits for endangering the lives of their workers. Black mold is toxic and many people have died after exposure to it.
Conclusion
When it comes to offices, leaving water damage unchecked can have a lot of harmful consequences. From the loss of data to facing legal fines, offices should avoid the consequences as much as possible. Working with the right professional will ensure that you are able to get the water damage addressed as quickly as possible.
