The Places to Watch to Avoid Water Leak Damage

If you own a house or condo, sooner or later, a water source will malfunction. It’s simply inevitable. But although a dripping sink might seem like a minor concern, it could cause disastrous water damage. Flooding, corrosion, and mold are some of the most common concerns.

Water damage is one of the most common (and costly) homeowner insurance claims. About one in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year, according to Insurance Information Institute.

What does insurance cover when it comes to water damage?

So, what water damage will your insurance pay for? It all depends on where the water came from and how long it’s been occurring.

If a structurally sound pipe burst, that would likely be covered. If a pipe froze and then burst because you didn’t take preventative measures, that wouldn’t be covered. Insurance typically doesn’t cover mold damage or ground water damage, but you may be able to add water sewer backup coverage if it’s available. 

Luckily, you can avoid most water damage through regular maintenance and monitoring. You should regularly check the following areas for potential problems:

  1. The Roof

Your roof  is supposed to keep the elements out, so it’s imperative to make sure it’s doing it’s job!

When you check your roof, look for:

  • Missing/broken shingles
  • Damaged/missing flashing
  • Holes/rips/surface disruptions
  • Roof rot
  • Exposed or loose nails
  • Cracked sealant or chimney damages

If you do have roof damage, make sure to hire a professional to come fix it, especially since the area of the leak isn’t always close to where it originates. 

  1. Sprinklers and Irrigation Lines

A broken sprinkler or irrigation pipe can lead to a damaged driveway, costly repairs, or a high water bill. 

It can be hard to find a broken sprinkler, but not impossible. If there are pools of water around your sprinkler or dirty water coming out of it, those are obvious signs. You should also check your yard; if parts are covered in fungus, dry as a desert, or more elevated/squishy than normal, you know you’ve got a problem. Turn off your sprinklers and individually test each sprinkler head to see which section caused the damage.

Monitor your water bill and your yard regularly to ensure everything is working as it should.

  1. Drainpipes

From time to time, stick your head in your crawl space to check on your drainpipes to look for leaks. Drainpipes will typically be large black pipes up to 4” in diameter with no insulation. While you’re there, inspect your other ducting and water pipes, too.

An easy way to scan for leaks is to look at your vapor barrier. Vapor barriers stop moisture from coming up into your home, so if your drainpipes are leaking, the water would be deposited on top of the vapor barrier and leave a stain as it dries. Happily, sometimes fixing a failed drain is as simple as resealing it. 

  1. The Water Heater

Your water heater has a lifespan of approximately 10-12 years, but they can fail far before then. When they do malfunction, they leak water all around their base, potentially leading to a flood, since they continue to refill as they drain.

  1. Supply Lines 

At least once a year, you should inspect your supply lines for toilets, sinks, the washing machine, and the dishwasher. (Although the smaller lines can benefit from more inspection throughout the year.)

Smaller vinyl lines can easily develop bulges or cracks over time, which can lead to leaks. Bigger lines like those for your washing machine and refrigerator can lead to more drips and an even bigger disaster.

One of the best ways to help avoid leaks (and an expensive claim) is to purchase the braided stainless steel water supply hoses. While more expensive, they have a longer lifespan and can help stop leaks. If you can’t replace every hose, at least replace the ones for your dishwasher and washing machine since they transport the most water.

  1. Water Valves and P-traps

Valves come out of the wall and connect your faucets, toilets and washing machines. Common signs of valve failure is white, yellow, or green mineral buildup on the pipe or fitting. 

If you suspect a valve is failing or the connection is becoming corroded, have a plumber change them out. You can even change them out yourself for under $5 if the valve is the screw-on type and not connected to the pipe with solder.

Along with valves, you should take a look at your P-traps. These are the connections for drains under your sinks. When you store items underneath your sink, P-traps get jostled and nudged, potentially leading to a slow leak under the sink.

Since these areas are prone to leaking, check them frequently. Just make sure to replace any items under the sink when you’re done!

How to Prevent Leaks

Prevention is always best, but sometimes damage is unavoidable.  If you do spot water damage, the best thing to do is address it immediately. Call your insurance agent about what your policy will cover.

In the future, take steps to safeguard your home against water damage. It will prevent you from filing a claim, and some insurance carriers even give you discounts if you’ve never filed a water damage claim!

Use the following tips to help protect your house against leaks before they start:

Install Water Sensors

These sensors act similarly to a smoke detector; they’ll sound a loud alarm when they come in contact with water. They’re great for monitoring the hard-to-reach areas, like water heaters and refrigerator water supply lines. Installation is simple and relatively quick, and you can find sets of multiple sensors for under $40.

Some insurance companies may even offer discounts if you add a water sensor!

Winterize Your Pipes

Pipes can freeze for multiple reasons, such as if your heat source fails, your house is left vacant, or if your house is under-insulated. Protecting your home from frozen pipes usually means keeping the heat on and insulating exposed pipes. 

During cold winter nights, turn your thermostat to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (or 15 degrees Celsius) and open your cabinets to expose your pipes to warm air. Then turn on your faucets and let them drip a little so pressure won’t build in the pipe if the water does freeze. 

Winterizing the Outside of Your Home

Outside, always unhook your hoses when not in use (no matter the season), and cover them when the temperatures cool down. If you plan to leave your home vacant for some time, turn off your water, too.  That way, in case a pipe does burst, water will not fill your home while you’re away. 

For more information on how to winterize your home against water damage, check out our complete guide to home and auto insurance during the winter. 

Install a Sump Pump

If your basement is prone to flooding, installing a sump pump can save you by sucking up water and pumping it back outside. If your home is in a flood zone or you have questions about flood insurance, check out our flood insurance FAQ blog post. 

Upgrade Your Hoses

As mentioned before, upgrading your hoses to reinforced options can extend the life of your supply lines and help avoid leaks. You may also need to replace your hoses depending on the appliance. It also is not a bad idea to regularly inspect all lines in the house for drips and check for any weak spots.

Check Your Water Heater

Water heaters can cost you hundreds of dollars if they malfunction or get damaged. So, make sure to inspect them every couple of years to check for problems. Keep in mind that since if they constantly refill, they’re prime candidates for flooding if they start leaking.

Check and Clear Your Gutters

Make it a point to regularly check your gutters for any damage. You’ll also need to clean your gutters and reroute any downspouts so they are 4-6 feet away from your house. (You may also need more downspouts – there should be at least one for every 30 feet of guttering.)

Clogged gutters can send water overflowing over the side of your side and into your basement or foundation. There are multiple gutter guard options to prevent your gutters from getting clogged so you don’t have to constantly clean them out, avoiding water damage altogether.

Contact Your Insurance

Our last tip is to check your water bill and compare it to previous months – if it’s unexplainably higher, then you might have a leak.

Following these water damage prevention tips can help you avoid a costly water claim and loss of personal property. Contact your insurance agent and ask about what your policy covers. Don’t forget to stay on top of proper maintenance to prevent damage from starting in the first place!

If you have questions about auto insurance or Trucordia, you can contact us via a phone call, text, or email. Or if you need to talk to an agent right away, you can use our booking website to schedule a visit. We’re here for whatever you need, whenever you need it!