Preventing water intrusion in schools

Key takeaways:

• Water damage is a major risk: Alongside fire, water intrusion is one of the most costly and disruptive issues schools can face — making prevention essential.
• Maintenance is the first line of defense: Regular inspections of sump pumps, boilers and roof drains can significantly reduce the likelihood of water-related incidents.
• Proactive planning minimizes loss: Investing in proper drainage systems, backup equipment and scheduled inspections helps schools avoid costly damage and downtime.

Two of the most destructive incidences that can occur in a school building are fire and water damage. As CM Regent has focused several blog posts on the best methods for fire suppression, it’s time to discuss the best ways to keep water where it should be — contained or outside.

Sump pump maintenance

If a school’s boiler and mechanical rooms are likely to experience flooding problems, one good way of removing the water is by installing a sump pump. This device can reliably pump water outside and away from important equipment.

However, just because a school has a sump pump doesn’t mean it’s safe from water damage. It’s important that maintenance workers perform a risk assessment on the sump pump to see whether it is:

• A commercial unit (if it’s non-commercial, it should be upgraded as soon as possible).
• Connected to the school’s emergency power generator.
• Attached to an alert system, which will sound if the sump pump fails.

For areas that depend on frequent sump pump use, it’s a good idea to install a second sump pump as a backup. This redundancy can provide peace of mind for all involved.

Subgrade over natural springs

Many more minor flood losses start with a part of the drainage system becoming blocked. Once a blockage begins, water flow slows and begins backing up. Unable to properly flow through the drainage system, the water will seek another, unwanted path, increasing the risk of property damage.

One way of controlling water drainage is by building a subgrade over natural springs. However, this requires specialized, high-volume drainage techniques rather than a set “quantity” of fill, as the primary goal is to isolate the road structure from the water source. Standard practice involves removing unstable, water-logged soils and replacing them with a substantial drainage layer to prevent soft spots.

Boiler inspections

If a school’s boiler is not working properly, there’s a possibility of pipes freezing and bursting when it’s especially cold outside, leading to potentially costly water intrusion. Therefore, it’s important to keep close watch on the boiler(s) and making regular inspections.

To prevent a lapse in inspection of any boiler, which may halt use of the boiler until a passed inspection can be achieved; schools should keep an internal log of each boiler inspection due date. Developing a system that gives an alert to schedule a future boiler inspection, especially if this is not determined by the jurisdictional authority that oversees boiler inspections, is an important planning step.

Roof drain inspections

Along with boiler inspections, maintaining roof drains takes considerable time and effort to help avoid water intrusion. Here are some recommended best practices:

• Check drains on a regular basis to spot any clogs or obstructions, especially in late fall/early winter.
• Remove debris — like leaves, sticks and dirt — from drain openings.
• Install drain strainers or guards to keep larger items from entering and causing blockages.
• Watch for standing water or slow drainage, as these can signal a clog.
• Use tools such as plumbing snakes or augers to clear out blockages.
• Consider hiring professional drain cleaning services if the school experiences frequent drain problems.

Over the past year, CM Regent has seen a number of claims related to water intrusion. This is why it’s so important for schools to take the above steps so they can limit loss.

For more ways to help protect your building from water, check out these resources on sump pump and boiler inspections, reducing flood risk and water leakage emergency response plans.

Q&A about water intrusion at schools

Q: Why is water damage such a major concern for schools?
A: Water damage, along with fire, is one of the most destructive events a school can face. It can lead to costly repairs, equipment loss and operational disruptions, making prevention and maintenance critical.

Q: What steps should schools take to maintain sump pumps effectively?
A: Schools should ensure sump pumps are commercial-grade, connected to emergency power and equipped with an alert system in case of failure. In high-risk areas, installing a backup sump pump adds an extra layer of protection.

Q: How can drainage issues lead to water intrusion, and how can they be addressed?
A: Blocked drainage systems can cause water to back up and find unintended paths, increasing the risk of damage. Proper drainage design — such as building subgrades over natural springs and using high-volume drainage solutions — helps control water flow and prevent problems.

 Q: What routine maintenance practices help prevent water intrusion in school buildings?
A: Regular boiler inspections can prevent pipe freezing and bursting, while consistent roof drain maintenance — like clearing debris, checking for clogs and using drain guards — helps ensure water is properly directed away from the building.