The 3 Frequent Causes of Water Damage in Multi-Family Buildings

Do you really know what is going on within your building? Water damage in multi-family buildings can come from a number of sources, with pipes, plumbing, and appliances being the most common. Faucets and toilets are essential parts of the home that can also cause water-related issues if not maintained and used properly.

Leaky faucets or appliances like dishwashers or water heaters can cause slow drips that gradually cause moisture to build up on walls or floors. Similarly, aging pipes in multifamily buildings are a risk factor for water damage due to corrosion and debris which can result in pressure bursts.

Below we will go over the three common causes of water damage. A general understanding of what would cause this massive issue is crucial to effectively prevent any damage and future costs. 

Water Damage from Fixtures & Household Appliances

One of the main sources of water damage for multi-family buildings is through faulty fixtures and appliances. Here are some of the key areas to watch out for:

HVAC

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems, or more simply HVAC, have certain requirements for multi-family homes. They serve the purpose of taking in air, cooling or heating it, and then releasing it back into the indoor environment. The system may also filter the air to improve its quality.

HVAC Leaks are bad because they decrease the system’s efficiency, cause uncontrolled moisture and humidity, and raise utility bills. A properly functioning HVAC system is necessary to keep tenants satisfied and keep up tenant retention.

Boilers

Boilers leaking are another common source of water damage for multi-family buildings.

Some of the main causes of boiler leaks are corroded pressure valves, faulty temperature and pressure relief valves, damaged seals and gaskets, excessive pressure, and internal corrosion.

Undetected leaks can cost you money through water damage and water bills, but will also drive your energy bill up as they can negatively impact your boiler's functionality and energy efficiency.

Tenants are unlikely to notice and, subsequently, report issues with the boiler regarding water leaks.

Toilets & Faucets

A leaky toilet can lose up to 5 gallons of water every minute; that’s 7,200 gallons over the course of just one day.

It is the landlord’s responsibility to maintain the tenant’s toilets and deal with water damage restoration.

A faucet leaking a single droplet of water per second can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water per year. This would have a large impact on your multi-family property’s utility bill.

Sprinklers

Sprinklers are an important part of keeping your multi-family property safe from fire damage. Fire sprinklers may even be required in commercial buildings of a certain size. However, they are also vulnerable to leaking.

Faulty sprinklers can be very expensive to replace due to the pipes being inside the walls. Property owners need to catch leaks early before they worsen. Common causes of fire sprinklers leaking are equipment failure due to manufacturing defects, improper installation, corrosion, or a damaged sprinkler head.

Water Damage & Pipes

Let's look at the main causes of water damage from pipes, and the things you should look out for to prevent extensive damage.

Broken Walls

Water damage can lead to home structures being separated and ruined. This creates a major problem as it can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs.

Broken Seals

Certain appliances require piping. The installer puts seals around every water connector to prevent leaks. These seals can break or get worn out causing little leaks and puddles around the appliance.

Corrosion

Corrosion occurs on pipes over long periods of time. The damage isn't seen until a leak pops up because the pipe rots from the inside out.

Excessive Water Pressure

Pipes are designed for a specific amount of pressure. When the pressure is too high for too long, pipes and joints may begin to break. The leak may start small or burst with a great deluge of water.

Rapid Temperature Change

Unexpected temperature changes can cause pipes to expand and contract which can make them crack and leak. Extreme cold can lead to water freezing, which causes leakage and can prevent some appliances from working properly.

Water Damage & Plumbing

Plumbing issues are another prevalent cause of water damage and monitoring them is a good way to reduce the chance of having to pay high water damage repair costs.

Clogs

Clogs can occur either in the drain or in the pipes and are caused by a variety of factors. These range from a build-up of things like hair and grease to tree roots growing through the pipes

Most clogs form over a long period meaning it’s important for tenants and landlords to ensure that pipes and drains are cleaned regularly. When a drain or toilet clogs, sewage can flow backup creating a health risk.

While many methods exist to unclog the drain some, such as the vinegar and baking soda method have been known to cause further damage to pipes.

Faulty Plumbing

One faucet leaking one drip every minute wastes up to 34 gallons a year. It is the tenant's responsibility to inform the landlord when repairs are needed. Unfortunately, tenants don’t always report minor leaks to landlords as they think they are insignificant.

Leak detection technology and strategies can make up for tenants not reporting problems. Leaks can’t always be predicted but when detected early via water leak sensors, they can be much cheaper to fix.

Poor Drainage

Drainage is technically different from plumbing but they are two parts of the same process. Gutters overflowing and puddles forming after rain are normally a sign of poor drainage.

Pooling water can cause cracks in the building's foundations and pipes. This can also be a health risk as it increases the capabilities for air and water-borne diseases

Final Thoughts on the Frequent Causes of Water Damage in Multi-Family Buildings

Water damage in multi-story buildings can be costly and unpleasant, requiring proactive measures to prevent or mitigate the impact. By understanding the most common causes of incidents, owners are able to take steps to minimize the risks.

They can avoid the issues by performing regular maintenance checks and using water leak sensors. Water leak sensors will be able to alert you of any possible leaks. Taking care of issues related to the water use of the building complex is extensive but at the same time, it would avoid possible damage and costs caused by this problem.

Perceptive Things® offers 4 types of Water leak sensors, Droplet Solo™ (top left), Droplet Duo™(top right), Droplet Pro™ (bottom left), and Droplet Zone™ (Bottom right)

Have you ever experienced water damage in your multi-building housing? What techniques have you used to try and solve this issue?