Preventing Water Damage During Construction

1 RISK ENGINEERING. TECHNICAL INFORMATION PAPER SERIES: Preventing Water Damage During Construction . TAKE THESE PROACTIVE STEPS TO AVOID Water Damage . TO YOUR Construction PROJECTS. While fire is the major cause of Damage to Water Damage PREVENTION PLAN. buildings under Construction , Water Damage A Water Damage prevention plan (WDPP) is claims were the second most frequent property generally job-specific, in place prior to the loss in Water Damage can also lead to start of Construction , documented in writing, mold growth, costly litigation and financial loss. available to all contractors working on the In addition to direct costs associated with job, and included in employee orientation.

2 It cleanup, material replacement, equipment should be re-evaluated as conditions change repair and mold remediation, Water Damage or following any Water intrusion incident. The incidents may lead to significant indirect following areas should be considered when costs associated with Construction delays and designing a WDPP: business interruptions. Many Construction contracts include liquidated Damage provisions Pre-Planning in the event a project is delayed past a Proper planning is more than just ensuring that predetermined date. the building envelope is weather tight before Construction delays, especially those near the allowing interior trades to begin work.

3 End of a project , can result in loss of revenues as In the design stage, it involves locating well as increased taxes, interest expense, legal mechanical and electrical equipment away fees, inspection fees and marketing expenses. from areas where Water may collect, such as One strategy to help ensure a successful project : basements. Building plans should locate Water Take proactive measures to avoid Water Damage lines in heated areas, away from crawl spaces and be fully prepared to take immediate action or closets to avoid frozen Water lines. in the event of a Water intrusion. Prepare. Protect. Prevail.

4 Continued TECHNICAL INFORMATION PAPER SERIES: Preventing Water Damage During Construction . Site development or grading plans should divert in anticipation of a natural event such as heavy Water accumulations from the Construction area. rainfall, windstorm, flooding or hurricane Connections to permanent sewer and storm Includes personnel responsible for work Water systems should be made before building scheduling, material deliveries and storage, Construction begins. worksite inspections, and employee training Water usually enters the exterior skin of a building designed to minimize Water Damage loss at transition points such as windows.

5 The design Has an approval process for scheduling Water and installation of moisture and air infiltration pressure testing of sprinkler or plumbing lines barriers or retarders should allow Water to exit the exterior wall systems and ensure that external walls Deliveries and Storage have appropriate drainage planes behind them. Appropriate vapor barriers are critical. Construction materials vary in their susceptibility to Water Damage . The WDPP should identify moisture Building plans should include waterproofing sensitive building materials; specify when they are designs to all roofs, foundations, windows, doors, to be received; and where they will be stored prior to gutters, and drainage systems and specify the installation.

6 Manufacturers and suppliers can help types of flashing, waterproofing components, you determine which materials are susceptible to moisture barriers and retarders to be used. moisture Damage . Site supervisors and purchasing personnel should collaborate to determine the Job Responsibilities optimal delivery schedule for these materials. Supervisory personnel are typically responsible for implementing all Water intrusion prevention Inspections and Surveillance methods, such as work practice/administrative The WDPP should identify personnel to monitor the controls and engineering controls ( Water leak site During the workday and to ensure the building detection systems).

7 A WDPP often further: is weather tight at the end of each work shift. Includes clearly defined responsibilities for It should address protection During the night and supervisors, employees and subcontractors on weekends. Security patrols should be responsible Identifies personnel responsible for monitoring for detecting and responding to Water intrusion weather forecasts and properly securing the site in incidents or inadequately heated locations in the expectation of inclement weather same manner as a potential security threat. Identifies personnel having authority to shut down, delay installations or stop Construction SOURCES OF Water Damage .

8 Exterior Water Sources Interior Water Sources Adjacent Rain, ice dams Plumbing (equipment, piping, drains, fixtures, sump pumps). properties R. oofs and roof F. ire sprinklers (piping, sprinkler heads, stand pipes, Exterior drains control boxes). plumbing (city Siding M. echanical systems (heaters, air handlers, evaporators, Water supply). Septic systems chillers, tanks, boilers, piping, refrigerated lines, reservoirs). Foundation Waterproofing Wet areas (shower, bath, laundry, Water closet). Groundwater C. ondensation resulting from moisture-laden air in close W. indows and Irrigation proximity to cold surfaces doors systems 2.

9 TECHNICAL INFORMATION PAPER SERIES: Preventing Water Damage During Construction . Common causes of Water Damage During mechanical system that requires a constant Water Construction include: source. Other preventative procedures include: Improper installation of weatherproofing, Providing a secondary power source ( waterproofing and moisture barrier systems on generator) when using sump pumps or other the exterior skin of a building Water pumping systems Poorly glued connections on plastic pipes or Testing sprinkler and plumbing systems with air improperly sweated copper pipe connections pressure to identify system leaks before charging Supervisors should ensure that all weatherproofing/ with Water waterproofing installations adhere to the building Sealing leading edges of roofing materials at plans, manufacturers' specifications, industry stan- the end of each day to prevent storm Water from dards, and all relevant building codes.

10 The WDPP getting under an incomplete roofing membrane should include a quality control plan for plumbing Providing heat During the winter in buildings connections and fittings such as marking each con- with charged Water lines or standpipes to protect nection with a permanent marker. The plan should from freezing also include the fire sprinkler system. Leaving a gap of at least 1/2 between the drywall Worksite inspections should verify that: and the floor to minimize Water contact in the Water accumulations from rain and groundwater event floors become wet are not migrating into the building Many leak detection systems are available to help All door and window openings are covered at prevent Water Damage .