Water safety

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Water is the most common cause of home damage today. Every minute of every day your home is at risk. Detecting water problems before they cause damage is essential in protecting your home. Water damage can be a significant problem for homeowners. Even a minor water leak or pipe break can cause extensive damage to your home, belongings, and memories. Water leaks can and do happen at any time - usually when you are not home or when you are asleep. Chances are that by the time you notice the leak, damage will have already occurred, so it is best to be protected.

Washing machine hoses

Washing machine hoses are potentially the most damaging maintenance items in a home.

  • Rubber hoses deteriorate.
  • Failure to turn off your taps after each washing machine use can result in major water damage if a hose ruptures.
  • Hoses are subject to high pressures in the washing process.

Helpful Tips

  • Reinforced hoses only cost a few dollars more - a small price to pay for peace of mind.
  • Change/replace your hoses at the first sign of deterioration.
  • Place a water alarm near your washing machine to warn you of a possible leak.
  • When changing your washer hoses, unplug the machine and make sure the water is turned off.
 

Hot water heater

Hot water heater failure can be very destructive and expensive to clean up.

  • If your water heater does fail, a pressurized, unlimited amount of water can flood your home.
  • Often there is no warning when your hot water heater is about to fail.
  • Even a new water heater can malfunction at any time without warning.
  • There is no guarantee for the life span of a water heater, even if it is listed on the appliance.
  • Sediments in your hot water heater could be an indication of a malfunction.

Helpful Tips

  • When you replace your hot water heater you should install a drip pan.
  • Place a water alarm or flood detector near the water heater.
  • On existing water heaters, install a flood ring, seal it to the floor and pipe it to a drain or sump pump.
  • If possible, your hot water heater should be installed near a floor drain.
 

Sump pump

One of the most common causes for sump pump failure is an electrical power outage.

  • Perform regular maintenance on your sump pump to prevent water damage.
  • In the event of a power outage, your sump pump will fail to operate unless you have a battery back-up/generator.

Helpful Tips

  • To avoid mechanical breakdown, perform routine maintenance checks on your sump pump.
  • In order for a sump pump to operate effectively it should be plugged in at all times.
  • After a power outage, ensure your sump pump is functioning properly.
  • It is a good idea to install a surge protector for your sump pump.
 

Sewer backup

Avoid the unpleasant consequences of sewer backup by reducing the chances of it happening to you.

  • Disposing of oil, grease, or fat down a garbage disposal or sink drain can lead to clogged drains.
  • Not all floor drains are tied directly into a main backflow prevention valve.
  • Not only does sewer back-up cause damage to structure and belongings, it can also pose potential health problems.

Helpful Tips

  • The most effective way to prevent sewer water from entering your home is to install a backflow valve in the main sewer line. Floor drains should also include a backflow prevention device or have a backflow insert installed at the strainer.
  • Backflow valves should be cleaned and checked on an annual basis.
 

Home exterior

Weather-generated water such as rain, melting snow or ice can cause water damage to the interior of your home.

  • Leaves and other debris can clog your eaves troughs and downspouts.
  • Improper ground drainage can cause water to enter your home.
  • The settling of your home may create cracks in the foundation wall allowing water to enter.
  • Your roof covering should be maintained to prevent water from entering your home.
  • Accumulation of ice and snow on your roof can lead to ice damming.

Helpful Tips

  • Clean eaves trough regularly.
  • Build up ground around your home to slope away for proper drainage.
  • Inspect the foundation of your home for cracks.
  • Inspect roof covering for signs of deterioration.
 
 

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