Don’t let water damage make your home a swamp
What a nightmare: You come home to find water covering your floors after a burst pipe or hose has spilled hundreds of gallons of water into your home. You may think that a leaky pipe in the kitchen or bathroom is the most common cause of water damage, but it isn’t. Here’s a quick Q&A that might help you prevent water damage in your home.
Q. What’s the most common source of water damage?
A. The water heater. Check annually — particularly the bottom — for signs of rust, and drain any sediment that has built up in the tank. The next most common sources of water damage are washing machines and air-conditioning units. It’s not enough just to
check your washer hoses every year for signs of wear; replace them every three to five years with heavy-duty reinforced hosing. Don’t forget to clear the air-conditioner’s condensate drain regularly.
Q. What should everyone in your family know?
A. The location of the main water-supply valve into your house. You also may want to consider buying an inexpensive water-pressure meter that can help you be sure that the water pressure in your home is set no higher than 80 pounds per square inch.
Q Are monitoring systems available?
A. Yes. Water detectors may be inexpensive units that can be placed near appliances and under sinks to sound an alarm when water is detected, or more sophisticated systems with links to a central monitoring station or with shut-off valves that automatically turn off the water supply.
Q. Are you remodeling or building a new home?
A. If your water heater is inside — especially if it’s upstairs or in the attic — consider relocating it to the garage. If you have an older home and are installing new appliances, such as a large- capacity washing machine and dishwasher, make sure the existing drainage and pipes can handle the larger loads.
Your Homeowners policy covers you for water damage from sources such as burst pipes or hoses. But if you’ve remodeled or added items and your policy isn’t up to date, you could be out-of-pocket for more than you expected. Lets review your coverage to help keep you from ending up “underwater” financially.
