Breaking Down the Depths of Water Damage- Your Wappingers Home and What Water Damage Can Do

10/5/2020 (Permalink)

Check your homeowner's insurance policy to make sure you're covered in the event of water damage!

Water—it’s a necessity for life but can also turn into an extremely damaging force in certain situations.

With there being so many types of issues that result in water damage, do you know how to identify and prevent some of them?

Typical Causes of Water Damage

In a six-year period between 2009 and 2015, The Travelers Insurance Companies Inc. reports that the five leading causes of homeowners insurance claims were:

• Exterior wind damage
• Non-weather-related water damage
• Hail
• Weather-related water damage
• Theft

Water damage is so common that it appears on this list twice, in two different categories. To make it simple, remember that it can be classified as non-weather-related and weather-related.

Non-weather-related issues can come from things like plumbing and appliances, while weather-related damage naturally consists of issues caused by rain and snow.

The top five causes for water damage are plumbing issues, leaky washing machines, bursting water pipes, older water heaters and bad weather.

Protecting Your Home From Water

Water damage is a painful expense to be sure, one that could be a thousand times worse if not covered by your homeowners insurance plan. Have you taken the time to review your policy lately? Here are some of the damages caused by water that should be covered in a standard homeowners policy:

• Damages caused by from weight of wintery elements
• 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

Avoiding water-related issues and potential damage situations is possible. Make use of the following preventive fixes and routine maintenance suggestions to help your home remain free and clear of water issues:

• Applying water sensors and automatic shut-off valves
• Getting back flow valves and standpipes put in basement drains
• Using metal mesh connection hoses on the washer and dryer
• Clearing the gutters and downspouts of debris
• Taking time to flush the hot water tank 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

Water damage can be a nightmare to deal with, but fortunately, you will always have SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County on your side 24/7 to help with the cleanup and restoration process.