Prevent Water Damage!

Water losses are one of the most commons causes of loss on homeowners policies with those companies that offer the coverage. Some companies exclude any kind of water loss. We're not talking about flood. We're talking about broken pipes, ruptured supply lines, overflowing appliances...the things that happen inside the home. Many insurance companies regard this type of loss as a preventable maintenance issue and they surcharge for such losses accordingly. Water losses can also be unexpectedly expensive, requiring the homeowner to lose the use of the home during drying out. Water leaks can cause damage to floor, sub-floor, drywall and any furniture in the area. They can also cause an environment in which harmful mold can grow.

Here are a few tips to help you prevent and/or mitigate water losses. Some of them are so easy, you'll probably slap your forehead and say, "Of course!"

• Never run a load of laundry or the dishes when you're leaving the house, even just for a little while. This is actually one of the most common types of claims I have seen. Start the dishwasher and dash, and you may come home to a much bigger mess than a few dirty dishes.

braided steel toilet supply line

• Check supply lines regularly. Don't skip any. Check the washing machine, dishwasher, faucets, toilets, water heater, R-O system, water softener and the icemaker on your refrigerator. Any hoses that are five years old or have a kink in them should be replaced. Save yourself a headache and spend a few dollars more for a better-quality stainless steel braided supply line.

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  water meter key

  

  angle stop

  Know where the water shut-off valve to your home is, and how to operate it. If it takes a water key, get one and keep it where you can find it in a hurry. Everyone in the home should know how to turn off the water to a device or appliance that is leaking. If the dishwasher or washing machine overflows, do you know where the valve is?

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  water heater pan

  Place your water heater and washing machine in pans that are plumbed to drain outside. You can get them at almost any home-improvement or plumbing supply store. (They also come in a square for your washing machine.)

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  frost-free, anti-siphon hose bib

  
  Do you have freeze-proof hose bibs on the outside of your house? Those only work if you disconnect the hose, so they can drain out. If they freeze, they often break inside the wall, causing damage to your home. Disconnect all the garden hoses, dog drinkers and bib-mounted sprinkler timers during the freezing months. This is also true of the yard hydrant type of outdoor faucet, although a leak in one of those won't generally cause damage to your home, just a visit from a plumber.

• Pay attention to any indications of a leak in your home's water pipes. Stains, buckling or even a spot that is unusually warm can be a sign.

• Make sure your water pressure isn't too high. Water pressure over 100psi is hard on appliances like water heaters and can cause them to leak.

• Don't ignore cracks in tile or grout in your shower, or cracks in the fiberglass of a tub or shower. Even that little bit of water seeping through can destroy the wooden structure underneath and around your bath.

• Be aware of your normal household usage. If your water bill suddenly fluctuates for no apparant reason, investigate. One way to begin is to turn off every use of water in the house and yard, and monitor the meter for a couple of hours. If nothing should be using water, but the meter is still showing use, find out where the water is going.

• If you're going to be gone for several days, turn the water supply to your house off. Why take the chance?

• A little routine maintenance and advance planning can save you a lot of trouble later on. There are some terrific DIY websites and books out there to help you. It will be worth your time.

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.