Water damage prevention checklist for construction projects
Quick links
Roles and responsibilities | Risk identification and controls | Valve isolation and automated controls | Quality control and inspection criteria | Procedures for charging piping systems | Leak detection and early warning | Prompt response and mitigation plan | Training and compliance
Roles, responsibilities and planning
| Focus area | Recommended action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project oversight | Assign responsibility for water damage prevention, mitigation and response | ||
| Planning | Maintain a water intrusion response plan, valve isolation schedule and isolation map. | ||
| Documentation | Review project documents, QA/QC procedures and builders risk policy requirements. | ||
| Contractor coordination | Confirm subcontractor responsibilities through scope, submittal and prequalification reviews. | ||
| Daily controls | Provide project-specific procedures and maintain daily oversight. |
Risk identification and controls
| Focus area | Recommended action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary water sources and distribution | Use approved piping and hoses for temporary water systems, and routinely inspect connections, fittings and valves. |
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Inclement weather and flooding | Maintain drainage, flood protection and operational sump pumps with backup power as needed. | ||
| Building envelope protection | Protect openings from water intrusion, verify envelope performance through testing and ensure exterior surfaces drain away from doors. | ||
| Inspecting and protection porous building materials | Identify moisture-sensitive materials, store them properly and inspect after water or humidity exposure. | ||
| Vandalism and unauthorized access | Secure the site, restrict access to water systems and mechanical spaces and document any tampering or damage. |
Valve isolation and automated controls
| Focus area | Recommended action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valve isolation maps | Maintain current valve isolation maps showing valve locations and IDs, post them in key areas and clearly label isolation valves. | ||
| Automated and monitored shutoff devices | Install automatic water shutoff devices where feasible, use approved monitoring and alert systems and establish response procedures for alarms. |
Quality control and inspection criteria
| Focus area | Recommended action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documented inspections | Inspect, verify and document piping system readiness before activation. | ||
| Craftsmanship and installation controls | Ensure approved materials, qualified installation practices, and proper management of piping connections. |
Procedures for charging piping systems
| Focus area | Recommended action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-charge checklist | Verify approvals, communication and readiness before charging. | ||
| Charging protocol | Charge systems gradually under supervision and during normal working hours. This is going to go longer. |
Leak detection and early warning
| Recommended action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Conduct daily walkthroughs of active water systems. | ||
| Place moisture sensors in high-risk areas, such as mechanical rooms, vertical shafts and areas below active piping. | ||
Use moisture sensors in areas with high-value or long-lead-time finishes. | ||
Keep temporary floor drains clear and operational. | ||
Report and respond immediately to any leak, regardless of size. | ||
| Review available water flow and leak detection technology resources from Hanover Risk Solutions. |
Prompt response and mitigation plan
| Focus area | Recommended action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintain state of emergency readiness | Ensure response plans, resources and personnel are ready. | ||
Immediate actions | Stop water, contain damage and protect the site. | ||
| Mitigation and recovery | Dry, mitigate and document affected areas. | ||
| Reporting and root cause analysis | Report incidents, determine root causes and implement corrective actions. |
Training and compliance
| Focus area | Recommended action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel training | Train all site personnel on the leak reporting process and the location of main shutoff valves. | ||
| Guide integration | Incorporate this guide into site orientation and review during safety meetings. | ||
| Compliance follow-up | Address non-compliance through corrective action |
Water flow and leak detection
Learn about water sensor flow and leak detection solutions vetted for reliability by The Hanover.
Water damage response
Obtain a list of water damage response and mitigation contractors recommended by The Hanover.
Looking for more guidance?
For additional details and information, see our water damage prevention and mitigation guide.