Have you heard that water damage is a massive cost to companies? It costs approximately 8 billion United States dollars annually for companies. Astonishingly, 34 per cent of all business premises handle a big leak every year. Stopping leaks will save you thousands in repair costs and reduce your water wastage by up to 25 per cent.
The following is an easy method of securing your property:
Inspect regularly: Look over your roof, plumbing, HVAC units, and water heaters for any signs of damage or leaks.
Monitor water usage: Monitor your water consumption and identify concealed leaks with the help of such tools as submeters and smart monitors.
Install leak detectors: Put sensors near water heaters, pipes, and other high-risk spots to catch leaks early.
Maintain systems: Replace old pipes, keep drains clear, and make sure all emergency valves are clearly marked.
Train your team: Ensure every staff member knows what to do if a leak happens and where to find the shut-off valves.
Basic Leak Prevention Steps
Schedule Building Inspections
Establish a routine checking schedule to detect small punctures before they become large and costly issues. You are to be attentive to the roofs, all the plumbing, water heaters, the equipment in the boiler room and the drain lines in HVAC. Check pipes and see where they are corroded, and have old ones replaced as necessary.
Key areas you need to inspect include:
Roof integrity: Make sure all roof drains are clear and working correctly.
Plumbing hoses: Check the connections and plan to replace hoses every five years.
Water heaters: Replace these units every 10 years to prevent sudden failures.
HVAC systems: Check that drain lines are clear and operating properly.
Boiler room equipment: Look at the drains and the area around all equipment.
The accurate high-resolution data provided by NOWi were extremely helpful in examining the aspect of water savings in a wide variety of commercial buildings, which we serve, including fast-paced restaurants all the way up to large manufacturing plants. - PGW Solutions.
Besides inspections, you should also keep a close watch on your daily water use.
Track Water Usage
Watching your water usage regularly helps you know if everything is running as it should. Smart monitoring tools can find hidden leaks that you can't see, which often waste 13–28% of all the water a building uses.
Follow these steps to monitor water use well:
Install submeters: Break down your building into zones to see exactly where water is being used.
Establish baselines: Learn what your normal water use looks like.
Set alerts: Get instant notifications if your water use suddenly spikes.
Analyse trends: Look over your monthly water data for any unusual patterns.
"NOWi's solutions have helped analyze and find water savings for some of the largest hotels in Toronto." - Canada Water Savings.
Once your monitoring is set up, the next step is to place leak detectors in the right spots.
Set Up Leak Detectors
The right type of sensor provides the best protection using the best sensor per area. Here's a simple guide:
Main Water Lines : Flow meters watch the entire plumbing system for leaks.
Make sure to place sensors around water heaters, HVAC and PTAC units and plumbing connections. In empty spaces, it is important to leave the heat on and turn off the water supplies that are not necessary. This stops water in sprinkler systems from freezing when it gets cold.
Also, take the time to clearly label every important valve. This makes it much faster to act in an emergency.
Smart Monitoring Tools
NOWi's monitoring system gives you instant alerts for leaks and detailed information on your water use. These tools are made for commercial buildings. They work together with your inspections and tracking, fitting right into your water management plan.
NOWi Building Monitors
NOWi's Building Monitors track your water usage by the minute. They are easily installed; all one has to do is attach them to your utility water meters. No special tools will be required.
Here's what they do for you:
• Real-time alerts for leaks
• Detailed information on how much water you use
• Instant messages for any unusual activity
• Remote access through an easy-to-use online dashboard
NOWi Specialised Sensors
This group of sensors is built to handle specific problems:
These sensors give proper information and hence, property managers can detect and correct any underground leakages that may be up to 13-28 per cent of the total water consumption.
Maintenance and Emergency Plans
Regular System Checks
The best means of averting costly damage to water is by carrying out regular checks. Make sure that the major water shut-off points are identified. This simplifies the management of emergencies and maintenance.
During spillages in winter, ensure that the heating is maintained to avoid the freezing of pipes. Turn on the empty spaces, drain pipes to reduce the possibility of freezing. A quality maintenance plan also entails being knowledgeable of what to do immediately a leak occurs in order to ensure minimal damage is caused.
Leak Response Steps
Create a clear plan that lists who is responsible for what. Keep good building records and train your staff every year.
Immediate Response Actions
Prepare a contact list of the most important people to call. It should include:
• Building maintenance staff
• Your insurance company
• Licensed plumbers
• Water damage cleanup professionals
Documentation Requirements
Keep your building papers current and easy to find. They should have:
• Up-to-date facility maps
• Places of all water sources
• Locations of control valves
• All emergency shut-off points
Staff Training Protocol
Plan a training session every year for your team. It should cover:
• Where the emergency valves are
• The right steps to shut the water off
• How to communicate during a problem
• How to use spill control kits
Install spill control kits in accessible areas around the building. Absorbent pads, barriers and simple tools should be included in these kits.
Also, always keep the boiler room floor drains clear. Think about putting water detection sensors near important machinery. For extra safety, use shut-off valves that activate automatically when a sensor finds a leak in a high-risk area.
Water Conservation Results
Good leak control, combined with prevention, leads to major savings in both water and money for commercial buildings. Leaks are responsible for roughly 25% of water waste in these properties, which wastes resources and increases costs.
The financial impact is serious. The average cost to repair water damage is $89,000 per incident. Also, for every 1,000 gallons of water used, 60–120 pounds of carbon emissions are created. This shows why using sensor-based leak detection systems and staying on top of maintenance is so important.
By doing modern monitoring and routine repairs of buildings, one can reduce the considerable effect on the environment and the expenses of operating the building. The reduction of water waste is the most crucial element that should be addressed by locating the leaks at the earliest time possible and acting on them.
These methods are not only good for the planet but also for your budget. Lower water bills and avoiding damage costs usually mean you see a return on your investment in just one to two years.
Next Steps
Book a demo to get a water leak prevention system set up. On the basis of these preventive measures, you will be able to maintain your property safe and running well.
Key Steps to Get Started
Assessment and Planning
Begin with a full review of your building's water systems. Find the high-risk spots like restrooms and kitchens, and record your normal water use patterns. Decide who on your team is responsible during an emergency. This preparation makes installing a system much easier.
System Installation
Put monitoring devices in your high-risk areas, like mechanical rooms and kitchens. These sensors can cut water waste dramatically. In fact, using sensor data has been shown to save thousands of dollars every month by preventing leaks.
Team Training and Protocol Updates
Train your employees on what to do in an emergency and go over this plan every year. If you make any changes to the building, update your emergency plans too. Regular training helps everyone stay ready.
Most buildings see a full return on their investment in just two months, thanks to lower water bills and less damage.