Statistics from the Insurance Information Institute, show about one in every fifty homes will file a water damage claim every year. Accounting for billion of dollars in damages.
“Even a small amount of water can cause serious damage to your home,” said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson at the Insurance Information Institute.
The best way to prevent damage from a water leak is to properly maintain your home. The Institute for Business & Home Safety provides these tips:
Inside Your Home
Inspect hoses and faucets. Check hoses leading to water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerator icemakers annually. Replace those with cracks or leaks, and replace them all every five to seven years.
Inspect showers and tubs. Check the seal and caulking around showers and tubs to make sure they are watertight.
Shut off the water supply to the washing machine while away on vacation, and never leave the house while the washer or dishwasher is running.
Know the location of the main water shut off valve in your home. A damaged hose or a burst pipe can send water racing into your home. By knowing where this valve is located and how to shut off the main water supply, you can save yourself time and money.
Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system. This will protect against the increased pressure caused by freezing pipes and can help prevent your pipes from bursting.
Check pipes. Look closely for cracks and leaks and have the pipes repaired immediately.
Outside Your Home
Caulk and seal windows. Preventive maintenance will guard against water seepage.
Inspect your roof. Look for missing, damaged, and aging shingles.
Check your downspouts. Remove debris that may have accumulated in downspouts and rain gutters. Position downspouts so that they direct water away from the house.
Check sprinklers and irrigations systems. Be sure sprinklers and irrigation systems are not damaging the walls and foundations of the house; turn off and drain outside faucets to protect against frozen pipes.
Install gutter guards.Gutter guards are the device used to protect the clogging of the roof gutter so that the water from the roof may flow easily and accumulation of water does not take place on the roof but away from the house.
