Escape of water – and how digitisation may detect and prevent a major water leak

Escape of water – also known as ingress of water, or a liquid leak – is not just inconvenient and messy, it can potentially be very costly as well. This is especially troublesome in the workplace as water in machinery and equipment, soaking surfaces, and cascading down walls can bring businesses to an unexpected and untimely halt – or at the very least, cause a temporary delay.

Here, we not only remind ourselves of the key causes of an escape of water, and what both the obvious and hidden costs are, but provide insight into how digital tools and solutions are helping to detect leaks before the storm.

What causes an escape of water?

While the term may not be one used every day, it can easily be defined as a leak, but NOT a flood, which would be caused by a circumstance from outside or beyond your premises. We’re not talking about a dripping tap – although that also requires fixing – as an ‘escape of water’ is a much bigger and more serious issue. 

The usual suspects are burst or frozen pipes triggered by bad weather, failed pipework due to corrosion or ageing, valve failure, unattended equipment, or if a machine that uses water suffers an operational failure. From a substantial piece of manufacturing factory equipment to a dishwasher in a communal staff area, this can also lead to extensive problems if there’s an escape of water.

What’s the damage?

For a business, the longer the leak goes undetected, the more deep-rooted and expensive the outcomes. Even if it’s a pipe bursting overnight, this may cause enough of an issue to close up or relocate. 

Electrical infiltration is probably the most hazardous of the long list of issues, but anyone entering the building may be in danger of slipping or tripping. And then there is what stock may have been destroyed beyond repair, and if any electrical office equipment or paper documents can be salvaged from the soggy ruins. 

From finding and moving to alternative accommodation, to delays in delivering goods to customers, the full cost of escape of water per year in the UK is currently estimated to be near £1billion in uninsurable losses. On average this works out at around £80,000 in damages for a business – that incorporates drying out, repairs, possible relocation, and how much it adds up to if there’s a delay in paying invoices and bills.

A digital solution for an age-old problem

While we look at some of the more traditional preventative methods in detail here, digitalisation is transforming the landscape of leak detection for the better – as well as helping to keep the cost of your insurance premium down.

As referenced here, a robust water leak detection system can detect and deter a potentially damaging situation from occurring or worsening. The monitoring device may be used as an early alert system or even cut off the water flow. Many of these wireless systems can easily be controlled, managed and even viewed via smartphones, so you don’t need to be on the premises. You’ll also want to work with a monitoring service that provides real 360 service, including a pre-installation survey report, after-care support, and regular maintenance checks. 

A key thing to be aware of is that some systems will require you to attend as soon as possible, manually managing the situation.

It's also crucial that you check that the digitalised system you opt for is acceptable to your insurer. You may then qualify for a reduction or discount to your business or business interruption insurance policy by adhering to this helpful measure.

One of the digital monitoring systems most strongly endorsed by a range of commercial insurers – Howden included – is Leaksafe. Leaksafe is an efficient water leak solutions provider that designs and installs bespoke water leak detection systems to match specific needs and protect properties. They’ve built a positive reputation for not only providing monitors for business premises, but for hotels, restaurants, and residential properties managed by landlords and letting agents, which is another major area of concern when we dig into the consequences of this problem.

Andy Welch, Senior Business Development Manager at Leaksafe, says: “Digital leak detection in commercial premises is a game changer for building managers.  Detection devices that can pinpoint the location of a leak as soon as it starts and immediately notify designated personnel by SMS, email, or push notification not only saves investigation time, but can greatly reduce the cost of repair if the amount of damage is limited by early detection. 

“Early warning water leak detection solutions are installed to mitigate the damage caused by drip leaks and bursts. Our solutions help to prevent residential displacement and business disruption by enhancing water and risk management.”

While we can never fully block the passage of water determined to escape, digital deterrents are helping to stem the flow. Businesses feel more in control of an area that for some has long felt uncontrollable, and those at the insurance end can truly see the difference detection makes to the scale of claims.

If you'd like to make your pipedream of a drier and less leak-prone working environment a reality, talk to our specialist team today on 0345 076 2288, or email [email protected].