Water Damage Prevention: 3 Tips

5/21/2021 (Permalink)

Aged and brittle washing machine hoses are a leading cause of water damage.

Water damage is a costly event that most homeowners are desperate to avoid. While not all water damages are preventable, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of encountering one.

Three preventative tips:

Know where your water main is located.

If you experience a plumbing emergency inside your home, knowing where your water main shutoff is located will make it easier to turn off the water right away, and hopefully minimize any damage.

Maintain appliances.

Check and maintain your appliances regularly for leaks according to manufacturer’s directions. Pay special attention to the state of your washing machine and refrigerator hoses. When these become old and brittle, they often become leaky and are among most frequent causes of water damage for homeowners. A hose typically has a life expectancy of about five years. Replace yours regularly to avoid a mighty mess and expensive damage.

Investigate and repair leaks promptly.

If you discover evidence of a leak in your home, investigate it right away. A small crack can quickly escalate to a full blown pipe burst.

If you opt to ignore moisture damage or postpone necessary repairs, be prepared to experience mold, mildew, dry rot, or even structural damage to your home. 

Keep in mind that homeowner’s insurance provides coverage for damage that is sudden and accidental. Damage that results from lack of maintenance is not covered on a standard homeowners insurance policy.