Water damage can result in the loss of valuables and disrupt your life.The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) identifies some areas where proper maintenance can help.
Roof Leaks
Roof leaks were the most frequent source of water damage in the study. The likelihood of a roof leak was even more common in regions where freezing weather, severe wind, and hail were frequent.
Roof repairs are needed if:
- The roof has cracked or missing shingles or loose or missing granules.
- Flashing has deteriorated, particularly around chimneys and vents.
- Pooling water is present on the roof.
Washing Machines
In the IBHS study, a burst water supply line caused half of all water damage incidents involving washing machines. On average, these caused more than $6,000 in damage per occurrence.
Sinks
Water damage from a sink averaged more than $7,000 per incident. Of these incidents, 44% were attributed to faulty plumbing supply lines.
Toilets
Water damage from toilets costs $2,000 to $10,000 per incident. 78% of incidents reviewed in the IBHS study were caused by faulty supply lines, toilet flanges, fill valve assemblies, or by toilets that backed up and overflowed.
Water Heater
The chance a water heater will leak or burst begins to dramatically increase when it is five years old. 75% of all water heaters fail before they are 12 years old.
Plumbing and Supply Drains
Homes 30 years old were three times as likely to have a plumbing supply or drainage problem.
What To Do In the Event of a Loss
- Shut off your water supply to minimize any additional damage.
- Contact Tower Hill or your agent to report your loss and be referred to a water extraction vendor in your area.