An intense atmospheric river system moved into the Pacific Northwest, bringing heavy and sustained rainfall to the Seattle area after a long dry stretch. As rain collected on the flat roof of Workpointe’s 75,000-square-foot warehouse, the structure began to fail under the weight. A support beam broke, striking a pressurized sprinkler line and releasing water across the building.
Water spread quickly throughout the warehouse while rain continued to enter from above. Soon after, a large section of the roof collapsed. The damaged area included space critical to daily operations, which created immediate disruption.
The warehouse stored millions of dollars in commercial furniture, including inventory designated for major client projects. With active orders and incoming shipments, the situation required fast stabilization to limit further damage and keep the business running.
The team faced difficult conditions from the start. Access to parts of the warehouse was blocked by standing water and debris from the collapse. Crews had to move carefully to reach affected areas while keeping safety in mind.
Water from both the sprinkler system and the storm covered a large portion of the building. Without quick removal and drying, damage to materials and inventory would continue to grow, along with the risk of mold.
The open section of the roof made the situation more urgent. Rain was expected to continue, which meant the building remained exposed. Temporary protection had to be put in place while planning for repairs.
Workpointe also needed to keep operations going. Shutting down the warehouse would have affected orders, client commitments, and revenue. This meant restoration work had to happen alongside daily business activity.
Progress was slowed at times by delays in moving contents. Insurance approvals held up the contents vendor, which limited access for demolition and drying in some areas. Coordination between all parties became an important part of keeping the project moving.
The client’s goal was to stabilize the building, protect inventory, and stay operational while repairs moved forward.
CRC arrived quickly and began removing water using large extraction equipment. At the same time, a partner vendor handled water buildup outside the building to reduce further intrusion.
Crews cleared debris to open access and set up temporary protection over the damaged roof area to keep out additional rain. Inside, drying equipment was placed throughout the warehouse in sections so work could continue without fully shutting down operations.
CRC also helped the client adjust their workflow. The operations team was moved to an upper level, allowing business activity to continue while work was underway. Floor scrubbers were used to keep high-traffic areas clean and prevent dirt from spreading through the facility.
Coordination with the client, insurance representatives, and vendors continued throughout the project. While waiting on approvals in some areas, crews kept work moving in accessible sections. At the same time, a framing partner was brought in early to begin roof repairs, which helped shorten the overall timeline.
Workpointe was able to keep its warehouse running during the restoration, avoiding a full shutdown. Water was removed quickly, and drying and cleanup were completed in phases to protect as much inventory as possible.
Roof repairs began early, which helped limit further weather damage and kept the project on track. Despite some delays with contents handling, steady coordination allowed progress to continue.
The warehouse returned to normal operations without extended downtime. A significant portion of the stored inventory was preserved, helping the client avoid major financial loss and maintain ongoing projects.
Facing water-related property damage and need assistance? Call CRC at 855-584-7887.