Dealing with a water damage disaster on a residential scale is challenging for the property owner, but when water damage occurs at a hotel, the challenges multiply exponentially. Each room in a hotel is like a small, self-contained residence with occupants moving in and out as rooms are rented to different people.
Statistics show the average number of rooms in different types of US hotel chains for the year 2020:
- Luxury hotels: 316 rooms
- Upper upscale: 313 rooms
- Upscale: 143 rooms
- Upper midscale: 97 rooms
- Midscale: 79 rooms
- Economy: 75 rooms
With anywhere from 75 to 300 rooms, hotels must manage plumbing concerns for at least as many sinks, toilets, and showers. Inevitably, plumbing problems, water damage, and toilet backups will arise. The key factors for a successful response to water damage at a hotel are having a solid plan of action and knowing whom to call for rapid, qualified damage restoration services.
How does water damage hurt business at hotels?
A water damage disaster can adversely impact a hotel’s operations and bottom line in several ways, including the following:
- negative customer perception
- time lost while repairs are made
- lack of available rooms leading to forfeited profits
- potential structural issues in the future
Plumbing problems that plague hotels
Leaks
Whether caused by loose connections, cracked plumbing, or excessive water pressure, leaks can cut into profits and lead to costly water damage. Inspecting every hotel room for leakage is not an efficient solution, but hotel managers have other options available to check for leaks. According to plumbing professionals, “...you can determine if your pipes are leaking by shutting off your main water valve and taking note of the current reading. Check the reading after about two hours — if it’s increased, you have a leak and need to call for service repairs.”
Burst pipes
Burst pipes can result from rust accumulation, water expansion during freezing temperatures, water pressure fluctuations, and age. A burst pipe can cause massive water loss, potentially leading to mold damage or structural damage. Professional water damage cleanup and restoration services will be essential to remediate the situation and prevent it from expanding in scope.
Pipe blockages
Blockages are the bane of hotels. Hair buildup is a common culprit, but soap, hygiene products, and toothpaste can also contribute to a pipe clog.
Periodic maintenance can help keep pipes operating at peak efficiency. Commercial hydro jetting services eliminate blockages in the plumbing system, and a baseline recommendation is to schedule these services every quarter. However, individual hotels may need hydro jetting more or less frequently, depending on the size of the hotel.
Toilet overflows
Not all hotel patrons practice proper restroom etiquette, and they sometimes flush items other than toilet paper down the drain. Toilet paper is water-soluble and is the only thing that should be used in the toilet. Other paper products can clog the plumbing and cause the toilet to overflow.
A toilet overflow involves black water, which refers to water that contains biological contaminants such as fecal matter. The presence of black water in a water damage disaster introduces a myriad of complexities into the cleanup process, and the situation should not be handled by a hotel employee. Instead, call in a team of commercial water damage restoration specialists who are equipped with the proper safety protocols, personal protective gear (PPG), and damage remediation technology.
Low water pressure
While low water pressure is not necessarily as damaging as the other problems mentioned above, it can be inconvenient to hotel guests and could be an indicator of future plumbing issues. A low water pressure issue may be as simple as a failure to completely turn on a water valve. On the other hand, the pressure decrease could be the result of a blocked pipe, a leak, or mineral deposits from hard water.
When water damage occurs at a hotel, SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth mobilizes a team of property damage cleanup and restoration specialists from the moment the office receives the call for emergency service. A hotel is a unique environment and requires the expertise and experience of a restoration company that is skilled in providing commercial services on a large scale. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is a full-service cleanup and restoration company, and no job is too large for technicians to tackle.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth for more information about water damage restoration for commercial clients in Haltom City, TX. The office can be reached by emailing office@servpronortheastftworth or by calling (817) 741-5737.
