Detect & Prevent Water Damage in Multifamily

Multifamily properties can have 10's, 100's, and even 1,000's of kitchens and bathrooms. Due to this, each building has an intricate network of pipes and plumbing. Unfortunately, breaks happen, leading to expensive water damage and repairs. 

Even worse, hiring a restoration company isn't your only expense. Water damage often leads to costs in lost rent, tenant relocation, and increased insurance premiums. Worst of all, frequent water damage hurts your reputation, potentially costing millions.

To help you protect your investment, we'll show you:

• What water damage looks like (common types and causes)
• Proactive prevention strategies (detection, preparation, and maintenance)
• Insurance considerations (claims, documentation, policy specifics)
• Operational improvements (ROI and streamlined workflows)

By the end, we hope you'll understand the risk of water damage, and how to detect and prevent it.

 

Water Damage in Multifamily Properties

Water damage has many different causes, and can look different depending on the source. Let's start by understanding the types of water damage, then we can discuss the most common sources for multifamily.

Types of water damage

Water damage is classified into three categories. Each can become worse if immediate cleanup and restoration is not taken. The categories are:

Category 1 -

Category 1 or "Clean Water" comes from a source that isn't going to harm humans. This type of water is easiest to clean, so detecting water damage while it is still Category 1 is critical to save money.

Category 2 -

Category 2 or "Grey Water" can be harmful if ingested. Cleanup of Category 2 water requires proper sanitation to prevent health risks. If Grey Water is not cleaned within 24 hours it can become Category 3.

Category 3 - 

Category 3 or "Black Water" is harmful if exposed to humans. Northern Arizona University says it contains "pathogenic agents, arising from sewage or other contaminated water sources"

Sometimes Black Water is unavoidable, such as in cases of flooding. However, great care should be taken to detect minor water damage before it worsens.

What does water damage look like?

Another way to classify water damage is by the identifiable signs. Common signs of water damage include:

• Rotting wood
• Sagging or warped ceilings/walls/floors
• Peeling wallpaper or drywall
• Stained or discolored surfaces
• Mold (to learn more about mold, read our blog on the topic)
• Sitting water
• Rust
• Musty odors
• Dripping sounds
  
• Significantly reduced water pressure
• Increased water bills

 

Common sources of water damage

Now that you know what to look out for, here are common areas and causes of water damage.

 

Plumbing Issues

Broken or frozen pipes, leaky faucets, and malfunctioning valves are all issues that cause water damage.

Plumbing problems can stem from regular wear and tear, improper installation, or misuse by tenants.

 

Faulty Appliances

Another common source of water damage is from faulty appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. These devices are in tenants homes and can often be misused or poorly maintained, leading to leaks and other problems.

One major problem from appliance water damage is water that is cleaning dirty dishes or clothes is contaminated. That means it can be classified as Category 2 or even Category 3 water! 

It is critical to ensure these appliances are working properly because the damage from them can often be much worse than anticipated.

Poor Maintenance 

Roofs and gutters wear out over time, and if not properly maintained, will lead to problems. 

Weatherproofing is another critical factor for water damage protection. Properly sealed windows and doors prevent moisture and humidity from entering and damaging your property.

 

Nature

All of the water we get is from nature, even pipes and plumbing use natural water. Mother nature also gives us water in the form of rain, rivers, lakes, and the water table.

It is important to remember water damage coming from heavy rainfall or natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and more.

 

How to Prevent Water Damage in Your Properties

Now that we understand water damage and it's causes, we are ready to start fighting it. There are 3 main steps to prevent property damage from water.

1) Detection

2) Preparation

3) Maintenance

 

1) Early Detection Saves Thousands

There are 2 ways to effectively detect water damage early- regular inspections and remote monitoring.

Regular inspections are critical for building safety in general, and that doesn't change when it comes to water damage. Create an in depth inspection checklist that covers common leak areas and appliances.

As your maintenance team performs inspections have them note areas for repair or replacement.

Remote monitoring is a more continual method to detect water damage. Installing monitoring systems, such as our Leak Detectors, gives you an early warning system and makes sure your property is guarded from damage 24/7.

Place sensors in common leak areas like near appliances or under sinks for optimal coverage. Make sure to choose detectors with a centralized monitoring system for instant alerts.

 

2) Prepare For the Worst

Every building has risks that you can't completely avoid. Things like natural disasters and harsh weather are always possible. The best way to prevent water damage in these circumstances is to be prepared for the worst.

Consider the local climate in your preparations. Properties in areas where hurricanes or flooding is common should have sandbags always available to help direct water away from buildings.

Grade the landscape away from every building to prevent even light rainfall from causing water damage to your foundations.

Consider installing sump pumps to pump water out in areas with rising water tables or potential flooding.

No building is ever 100% safe. Make the necessary preparations to prevent your property from as much damage as possible.

 

3) Regular Maintenance

Once you can detect water and are prepared for anything, you are ready to keep your property safe long-term. A proactive maintenance plan ensures your property stays safe from water damage for as long as possible.

Conduct regular maintenance on:

• Roofs and gutters
• Plumbing systems
• Appliances
• Weather proofing

Follow appliance product handbooks for regular maintenance and replacement. Check old supply lines and ensure staff and tenants are aware of shutoff valve locations.

Maintenance pairs with your inspections. Inspections will detect appliances or pipes that need replacing or repairs before a problem ever occurs.

Following this 3 step plan will help you prevent water damage in your multifamily buildings.

 

Water Damage Insurance Claims: What Owners Need to Know

The Insurance Information Institute reports that about 14,000 Americans are impacted by water damage daily. Alongside this, the average insurance claim for water damage is $11,650!

Understanding your insurance policy can mean the difference between a quick recovery and expensive issues. 

Key insurance considerations

• Document Everything - Take photos/videos of any damage, keep any repair receipts, and log all maintenance efforts and records.
• Review Policies - Read your current policies. Make sure they cover flood, sewer backup, sudden pipe bursts (many policies exclude gradual leaks)
• Act Fast - Immediately report any water damage. Delays can lead to claim denials leading to hefty out of pocket expenses.

Some insurance companies have policies that include reduced premiums for safer properties. By installing leak monitoring systems, conducting regular inspections, and maintaining your buildings you may be able to save money monthly on premiums.

Operational Improvements: Save Money & Time

Investing in your operations is the best investment you can make for your properties. When it comes to water damage prevention, the best choice is investing in automatic leak detection.

What is the ROI of Leak Detectors

• Cost of one of our sensors: $179.95 (retail, for bulk pricing, request a free quote today)
• Average water damage claim: $11,650
• Savings potential: Preventing just ONE leak pays for 65+ sensors

Another factor for improving your multifamily building operations is information. With a centralized monitoring system, like what comes with our leak detectors, you can improve communication between ownership and on-site teams.

With these systems each team can get reports appropriate to their responsibilities. Maintenance teams know which units have leaks, and property managers know which buildings/units are at higher risk.

With this increased information you can improve operations through better repairs, tenant education, and more. As your operations improve, your reputation will follow. 

 

Protect Your Property & Bottom Line

After reading this you should be prepared to prevent water damage in your property. We don't have data on how much you can save, but we do have data on how much you can lose. Don't spend $11,650 by neglecting water damage prevention. 

Follow the 3 steps

1) Detection

2) Preparation

3) Maintenance

and save yourself the headache of dealing with insurance companies. But speaking of them, make sure you review your policies and understand the procedure for filing a claim. Get the most by understanding your policies and premiums.

If you are curious about getting a centralized leak monitoring system get a free bulk pricing discount today.

Our PRO dashboard does more than just leak detection. Get more information about FireAvert for multifamily here.