Any losses caused by water intruding into a material, structure, or system, and triggering destructive processes such as rotting of wood, swelling of composite wood, rusting of steel, bacteria growth, mold growth, de-lamination of materials like plywood, and so on to attack the material, structure, or system.
Water stains that gradually damage a surface may be imperceptibly slow and minor, or they may be sudden and disastrous, such as broken pipes and flooding. Water damage, regardless of how quickly it occurs, is a significant cause of property loss.
Key Causes of Water Damage in Your Home
Multiple factors can lead to water damage. Some of these include:
- Groundwater seepage
- Broken dishwasher hose
- Broken/leaking pipes
- Washing machine overflow
- Dishwasher leakage
- Floodwaters
- Failure of the building envelope (leaking roof, doors, siding, windows, etc.)
- Clogged toilets.
- Spaces that are not used too often like attics, basements, crawl spaces, etc.
- Flooring and under the carpet
How to Effectively Prevent Water Damage to Your Home?
Some regular maintenance of key areas on your property can prevent water from getting into your home.
- Disconnect hoses: One of the first things on your fall to-do list should be to disconnect your hoses from the faucet. Standing water in a hose can freeze back into the pipe, forming an ice block that will stop your water flow and may bust your pipes, causing damage to your walls, floor.
- Clean gutters and downspouts: Clean your downspouts and gutters at 2 or more times a year to prevent blockage and ice dams.
- Maintain trees and vegetation: It is critical to keep the landscaping around utility lines to a minimum or, if required, to remove overgrown trees and shrubs.
- Know where your water main is located: Your water main is the source of water for your entire home.
- Maintain appliances: Appliances are the leading cause of water damage in the home. Check and maintain your appliances for leaks regularly, as directed by the manufacturer.
- Inspect and repair leaks as soon as possible: If you discover evidence of a leak anywhere in your home, you should investigate it immediately.
- Install water detection devices: A water detector is a small electrical gadget with a sensor that detects moisture and emits an alarm.
- Check your water: If the water pressure in your home is set too high, pipes and hoses may fail under pressure.
Water Damage Insurance from Gee Schussler Insurance Agency
Water damage insurance is a type of coverage that protects you from unexpected and accidental water damage. No water damage insurance plan will offer coverage for any damage caused by the homeowners’ failure to maintain the home in good condition or negligence. Many types of water damage to real property can and should be avoided through proper maintenance, as water damage insurance does not cover negligence.
Don’t ignore water damage no matter what you do. What appears to be a minor issue may be concealing a more serious issue. For any questions, contact our insurance professionals at Gee Schussler Insurance Agency today.
