In the US, 24% of all home insurance claims are made for water damage.1 Many types of water intrusion can cause water damage, from small, undetected leaks to major floods. Water can erode the structural integrity of buildings, destroy priceless items and facilitate the growth of toxic molds.
Knowing how water damage can happen is just half the fight. You should take proactive measures to protect your house from this costly inconvenience, from routine maintenance to buying the appropriate insurance coverage.
What are the common water damage sources that affect your property?
Water damage affects almost 14,000 people in the US every day, from overflowing toilets to flash floods.2
- Leaks: Every year, home leaks waste around 1 trillion gallons of water across the US,3 whether from corroded pipes, broken faucets or aging plumbing systems.
- Appliance failure: Leaks from appliances such as washers, water heaters and dishwashers can cause significant damage.
- Seepage: Damaged roofs and clogged gutters and downspouts are the main causes of seepage in homes. Seepage can lead to hairline cracks and cause structural damage.
- Mold growth: Mold can start to grow in 24 to 48 hours on a damp, porous surface,4 putting residents' health at risk and requiring expensive remediation.
- Floodwater damage: Even short-term flooding can make a dwelling uninhabitable, damaging flooring, walls and furnishings, and filling dwellings with dirt and bacteria-laden waste. Prolonged flooding damages structural elements such as joists and studs.
How can you protect your house from water damage?
Prevention and early detection are key to minimizing water damage.
- Fix leaking fixtures as soon as possible. Some leaks are hard to see. If your water meter runs when you're not using water, there could be a leak inside a wall. If you suspect your toilet tank is leaking into the bowl, put a few drops of food dye into the tank and check to see if the water in the bowl shows color.
- Have gutters and downspouts cleaned at least once a year.
- Install water-leak detectors in susceptible locations like basements, under sinks and next to water heaters. Some automatically shut off the main water supply to prevent damage.
- Before an extended absence from your home, make sure your sump pump works, and shut off water to the washer, toilets and sinks.
- Using binoculars, periodically inspect your roof's shingles and flashing for damage.
- Ice that forms in water supply pipes during extreme cold can make pipes split, causing water to spray uncontrollably. To prevent water from freezing in pipes, insulate pipes in basements and crawl spaces with foam pipe covers; use space heaters in poorly heated areas; and let a small stream of water flow from faucets overnight.
- Have the main drain line cleared periodically to remove intruding tree roots that could prevent water from draining to the sewer, causing a backup.
Protect your home from water damage
Speak with a Gallagher personal insurance advisor to ensure your home has sufficient coverage from water damage and, if needed, flooding. By taking steps to prevent water damage and having insurance coverage, you can safeguard your house, reduce the chance of water damage and minimize losses.