Risks to Know as Canada Reopens ‘COVID Orphans’

Brendan Murphy (pictured), Director of First Onsite Property Restorations, said: Owners may discover problems as they re-enter the building, ranging from minor problems such as clogged drains to very serious problems such as building envelope problems such as mold and water leaks.

Murphy recommends that owners and building maintenance personnel conduct top-down checks, starting at the roof and working down to the basement. But owners shouldn’t rush to get everything up and running right away.

“If the building is dormant, having all the lights on at the same time puts unnecessary stress on the infrastructure,” warns Murphy. “Being cautious and taking things step by step helps.”

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Owners must ensure that mechanical systems are working, toilets are flushing, and urinals are working. Plumbing systems are tested when a building is returned to use because frequent toilet flushes and hand washings put new stresses on drain lines and hot and cold water lines.

Murphy said owners should be aware of pinhole leaks, a significant source of mold. I am worried about mold.

A survey conducted by Angus Reid Global on behalf of First OnSite Property Restoration revealed that 64% consider mold to be their top concern. More than half (55%) feared their insurance coverage would not be sufficient to cover the potential for water damage or flooding.

“The lack of airflow and the ingress of water into the building is a good combination for mold,” warned Murphy. “These pinhole leaks can lead to larger leaks.” The proactive nature of visiting sites and relying on contractors to maintain the building helps prevent leaks.”

Cure rather than prevention

Murphy also stressed the importance of having a vendor you can trust when working on preventive maintenance for your building. “Some things seem mundane and not threatening. or damaged, and the filter can be replaced or the system can be verified to be working properly. Insurance business.

Floods and water damage are among the most expensive risks faced by businesses and property owners. Severe weather in 2021 caused more than $2 billion in insured losses, according to Insurance Canada. It said it was the “new normal” for catastrophic losses in the country, “most of it from water-related damage.”

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Murphy, who has 15 years of experience managing facilities, including large commercial buildings, has observed that many cases of water loss indicate chronic structural problems.

“Even if it’s not a major flood or relatively minor damage, once the work is done and everything is cleaned up properly, everyone can start their life over. You can see that the building has the same problem three times a year,” he said.

“It could be the death of many cuts [for businesses]They may pay $400 here and $800 there [for short-term fixes], but could be an opportunity to create a capital project to further protect the building. “

By investing in better building materials, leak-detecting technology, and major improvement projects, businesses and property owners can avoid future grief.

“Building materials with low permeability [to water] It will be a big bonus. On the technical side, simple tools have emerged that can detect water leaks in buildings. It doesn’t cost as much as it did three years ago. That’s another big advantage,” he continues Murphy.

“Your building shows all sorts of indicators that it needs more help and attention in certain areas. It can save you a considerable amount of money for someone looking to take the next step.” I guess.”