Thursday, May 16, 2013
Water Damage to your Home is Preventable
The damage from a burst pipe inside a home can be really expensive and laborious to repair. There are steps that homeowners can take that will make it less likely that damages can be done to home from water damage, but sometimes nothing can be done to prevent it.
Preventative measures before a leak happens:
Appliances such as your fridge, dishwasher, ice machine, and toilets should be inspected to make sure hoses and all parts are in proper order. If they are plastic, they will harden over time and burst. For the best kind of protection, use hoses that are braided as these are the strongest. To stop the water flow while replacing the hoses, shut off the supply to the appliance that you are working on at the time. Turn off the main water valve and then open it here and there, this will make calcium deposits less prevalent.
If important items are in storage in the basement, put photographs and other sentimental items in durable plastic bins for protection. The same goes for important papers like income tax records. Cover your floors with moisture-tolerant materials, like ceramic tile. Choose moisture-resistant materials for your walls. Be sure that there are no cracks in the walls, and if there are any that are visible, get a professional in to assess the damage.
If you have a desktop computer, make sure the hard drive is not sitting on the floor - a stand that raises it 5 to 10 centimeters off the ground will protect it from the worst of water damage.
Having a quick inspection of your pipes and appliances is a good idea if you happen to have a plumber handy in your home for another reason, it's well worth the investment.
If you maintain and inspect your water heater here and there, you could save yourself a big cost if it is in disrepair and needs servicing. Replace your hot water tank every 15 years. A small leak can turn into a bigger issue in time, so if you see this in your fridge or dishwasher, make sure it is repaired immediately.
When there is a leak:
Stay calm. Do what is necessary right away to reduce the amount of damage that the water will do to your property or home. Immediately shut off the main water supply to the home, and then quickly move your precious valuables out of the water soaked areas. Be sure to save any receipts for materials you use, as your insurance company will cover any reasonable costs associated with protecting your property if the loss is covered by the policy.
Call your insurance provider as soon as you can - the faster you have help with the clean-up, the less damage there will be to your things and the faster you will be able to get back to a normal life. You will be given a specific plan by your insurance provider on how to deal with the situation.
If there is a chance that electrical appliances have been exposed to water, don't touch them. When trees come down, they sometimes can bring down power lines, so look out for this, and get the proper assistance to deal with the danger. The insurance company's claims adjuster knows how to handle situations like these, and they have experience in this area.
Preventative measures before a leak happens:
Appliances such as your fridge, dishwasher, ice machine, and toilets should be inspected to make sure hoses and all parts are in proper order. If they are plastic, they will harden over time and burst. For the best kind of protection, use hoses that are braided as these are the strongest. To stop the water flow while replacing the hoses, shut off the supply to the appliance that you are working on at the time. Turn off the main water valve and then open it here and there, this will make calcium deposits less prevalent.
If important items are in storage in the basement, put photographs and other sentimental items in durable plastic bins for protection. The same goes for important papers like income tax records. Cover your floors with moisture-tolerant materials, like ceramic tile. Choose moisture-resistant materials for your walls. Be sure that there are no cracks in the walls, and if there are any that are visible, get a professional in to assess the damage.
If you have a desktop computer, make sure the hard drive is not sitting on the floor - a stand that raises it 5 to 10 centimeters off the ground will protect it from the worst of water damage.
Having a quick inspection of your pipes and appliances is a good idea if you happen to have a plumber handy in your home for another reason, it's well worth the investment.
If you maintain and inspect your water heater here and there, you could save yourself a big cost if it is in disrepair and needs servicing. Replace your hot water tank every 15 years. A small leak can turn into a bigger issue in time, so if you see this in your fridge or dishwasher, make sure it is repaired immediately.
When there is a leak:
Stay calm. Do what is necessary right away to reduce the amount of damage that the water will do to your property or home. Immediately shut off the main water supply to the home, and then quickly move your precious valuables out of the water soaked areas. Be sure to save any receipts for materials you use, as your insurance company will cover any reasonable costs associated with protecting your property if the loss is covered by the policy.
Call your insurance provider as soon as you can - the faster you have help with the clean-up, the less damage there will be to your things and the faster you will be able to get back to a normal life. You will be given a specific plan by your insurance provider on how to deal with the situation.
If there is a chance that electrical appliances have been exposed to water, don't touch them. When trees come down, they sometimes can bring down power lines, so look out for this, and get the proper assistance to deal with the danger. The insurance company's claims adjuster knows how to handle situations like these, and they have experience in this area.
About the Author:
To learn more about home insurance in Canada, or if you're insuring your home visit www.squareoneinsurance.ca.
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