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Exploring the Various Causes of Water Damage | SERVPRO® of Wilson County
7/18/2019 (Permalink)
Water may be a necessity for life, but it can also serve as quite a destructive force in the right situations.
Concerning water damage, there can be a plethora of driving factors behind it. Are you able to identify what some of those causes are?
During a six-year span encompassing 2009 to 2015, The Travelers Companies Inc. reports that the leading causes for homeowners insurance claims were:
- Exterior wind damage
- Non-weather-related water damage
- Hail
- Weather-related water damage
- Theft
As you can see, water damage appears on this list twice, but in two different categories. That’s because water damage can be both weather-related and non-weather-related.
The most common type of water damage that will impact your home is non-weather-related, which can be from issues such as bad plumbing and appliances. While just as problematic, weather-related water damage is not as common and can stem from rain, snow and melting ice.
Curious what the top causes of water damage specifically are? The top five water damage causes are plumbing issues, washing machine leaks, busted water pipes, aging water heaters and bad weather.
Looking at things from a strictly financial aspect, water damage and freezing issues saw an average payout per claim of $8,861 between 2011 and 2015.
Water damage always comes with quite a price tag, but the costs are higher if you’re not covered under an insurance policy. That’s why it’s important to review your policies regularly and know what’s covered by your homeowners insurance plan. In most cases, the following damages are covered by a standard policy:
- Damages caused by from weight of ice, snow or sleet
- Discharge and overflow of water, even by accident
- Tearing apart, cracking, burning or bulging of a steam or hot water heating system
- Freezing of plumbing and pipes
The good news is that in many cases, you can take proactive steps to help prevent water damage in your home. These preventive fixes and routine maintenance ideas will help make sure your home stays as dry as possible:
- Applying water sensors and automatic shut-off valves
- Having a plumber install back flow valves and standpipes in basement drains
- Installing metal mesh connection hoses on the washer and dryer
- Making sure your gutters and downspouts are free of debris
- Ridding the hot water tank of buildup by flushing it every six months
- Keeping grease out the kitchen sink and drain
- Running the sump pump every few months and cleaning it before the rainy season
You can use these tips to help prevent some costly water damage circumstances in your home.
Water damage can be a nightmare to deal with, but fortunately, you will always have SERVPRO® of Wilson County on your side to help with the cleanup and restoration process.