Your salon utilizes many appliances and devices that use water for their operation. And each of these, if left unchecked, has the potential to cause thousands of dollars in damage and shut down your business entirely.
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Universal Insurance has developed a checklist to help you prevent water damage and keep your business running smoothly. Here are several ways you can prevent water damage:
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Spray-Tan Systems
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Many water damage claims are related to faulty spray-tan systems. And to make matters worse, incidents often occur at night when the salon is closed.
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Because they can force your salon and the surrounding businesses to shut down, these claims can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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Spray-tan systems pump water, spray-tan solution and wastewater – often through long hoses running inside your salon. The solution can be corrosive to the hoses and valves, creating a risk for a leak with catastrophic consequences.
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- Check all connections, valves and hoses daily, inside and outside the unit.
- Do not run hoses over walls, through drop ceilings or around corners.
- Install a shut-off valve or lever at the water source and be sure to shut the water off at the end of each business day.
- Check the waste pump frequently. Often located under the unit’s floor, it can easily clog with hair and residue resulting in significant damage.
- Wipe down the entire unit, including the floor surrounding the entranceway. This is important, even with hand-held spray-tan devices, as the solution is very slick and even a slight film on the floor can cause serious injury. Consult the manufacturer for info on proper hose and valve connections as well as preventive maintenance.
If left unchecked, these systems have the potential to cause thousands of dollars in damage and shut down your business entirely.
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Washing Machines
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Water line bursts are responsible for 50% of all damage related to washing machines with an average cost of around $5,000.
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- Never operate your washing machine while your salon is closed or unoccupied.
- Install an easy-to-access lever-type shut-off valve and turn the supply valves off when not in use or when your salon is closed. Ensure that the connections to the valves are secure.
- Leave a 3-4-inch gap between the back of the washing machine and the wall to avoid kinking the hose.
- Check hoses frequently for cracks, kinks or blisters, especially near the hose connection. Replace hoses every two years.
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Toilets & Sinks
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Toilet and sink related incidents are often caused by faulty supply lines, toilet flanges, fill valve assemblies or toilets that are backed up due to foreign objects being flushed.
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- Frequently inspect your toilets and sinks especially at opening and closing times. Look and listen to ensure that no water is running.
- Inspect the flushing mechanism inside the toilet every month. Replace the flapper or fill valve assembly if you notice the tank refilling when the toilet is not in use.
- Inspect connections and supply lines frequently and replace defective or kinked hoses.
- Finally, ensure that your staff knows how to shut off valves for toilets and sinks in case of emergency.
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Water Heaters
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Hot water heaters are often tucked away in a back closet where they are rarely seen or inspected. The chance that a water heater will leak or burst dramatically increases after just five years and 75% will fail in less than 12.
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- Have a professional plumber inspect the entire system, including the anode rod, at least once every year.
- Remove sediment by flushing the tank every four to six months.
You can view a series of helpful Free Videos including How to Prevent Water Damage: uiprograms.com/tanning/water-damage/
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