Insurer Offers Tips to Prevent Water Damage in Your Home
With the arrival of the home-buying season, it is more important than ever to know how to identify past and potential water problems in a house.
Protecting a home and its contents from water damage is a matter of knowing what to look for, said Scott R. Spencer, worldwide home appraisal manager with the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.
Home water losses are on the rise, so it’s important for homeowners and those shopping for a home to know how to identify potential problem areas, Spencer said. The average cost for a claim from water damage or freezing rose 38%, from $2,519 in 1998 to $3,469 in 2002, according to the Insurance Services Office. “Some losses can even run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Spencer added.
“People today are building more expensive homes and loading them with high-cost items, such as fine arts collections, computers and electronics, and they’re installing home theater systems in their basements,” Spencer said. “Newer homes usually have more bathrooms, and hot tubs are becoming increasingly popular, so there are more water pipes throughout the house that can leak or break.”
Spencer says homeowners and homebuyers should carefully inspect the interior and exterior of a home to find problem areas. Below are some questions homebuyers should ask before buying a home.
IS there any staining on the ceiling, walls and floors? Water stains on ceilings, floors or walls are a clear sign water problems. Look specifically in corners on the upper floors for signs of roof leaks. Ceiling damage on the lower level is a sign of plumbing or fixture leaks on upper levels. Water stains can easily be covered with paint so bring a bright flashlight with you and shine it on walls, floors and ceilings to look for signs of imperfections and staining.
What is the condition of the plumbing fixtures? Are there signs of deterioration in and around plumbing fixtures? Flush the toilets to make sure water runs and bowl cocks don’t stick. Firmly grasp the toilet bowl and try to rock it to ensure that is firmly sealed to the floor. Look in sinks for stains and signs of leaky faucets. Check under and around sinks for leaks or previous water damage.
Are the “details” in the home well maintained? Sure the floors are clean and the walls are freshly painted, but what is the condition of the caulk around the tub, shower stall and sink? Deteriorated or mildewed caulk can allow water to gradually work its way behind plumbing fixtures and into the home’s walls. Check for fresh caulk where counters meet back splashes or walls.
What is the condition of the water-bearing appliances and their connections? Dishwashers, washing machines, kitchen disposals and water connections for icemakers accounted for almost $200 million in damages to homes in the United States and Canada in 2003. Look for watermarks around water-bearing appliances. Check the connections regularly and replace the hoses with high-quality braided stainless or Teflon hoses. The washing machine should be no closer than 4 inches from the wall to avoid kinks in the hoses.
What is the age of the hot water heater? It's important to determine the age of the hot water heater since most have an average life of 10 to 13 years. There's usually a metal label on the heater that is date stamped. If not, the first four digits of the serial number represent the month and year it was manufactured.
Is there the potential for pipe burst due to freezing? In colder climates, water supply lines in unheated areas of the home may freeze and rupture. It's a good idea to determine if there are any plumbing lines that run through crawl spaces, garages, attics, and even exterior walls exposed to wind. Although insulating these lines may keep them from freezing, a more expensive solution may be necessary.
Is the basement dry? Check the basement area for dryness. Stains on walls are one indicator, but the existence of a sump pump is a sign that flooding is a possibility. Ask if the pump is in working order or require a demonstration by having water poured into the pit to ensure the pump is functional.
Are the gutters and downspouts clear of debris? If the home is in a wooded area, gutters can become clogged with fallen leaves and debris causing rain water to spill over resulting in water entering the home either through the roof's eaveline or basement or damaging your exterior wood siding. Cleaning the gutters and downspouts a few times per year, especially in the fall, will reduce this from occurring.
Have you visually inspected the roof shingles and overhangs, wood siding and windowsills? Asphalt shingles or wood shakes on the roof that show signs of curling or cupping may be indicative of poor ventilation or improperly installed insulation in the attic. Peeling paint or signs of rot on roof overhangs, exterior trim boards, wood sidings or windowsills may be an indication of excess moisture in these areas. If these problems exist, a licensed professional contractor should inspect these areas and repair them as needed.
Is the property properly graded? Ground that does not allow water to drain away from the foundation during a heavy rain storm or after a big snowstorm may result in the water seeping down along the foundation and ultimately into the basement. Also, if the property is lower than the neighbor’s be sure any water runoff from surrounding properties is diverted away from the foundation. A properly working exterior drain system is important for all properties where the ground slopes toward the foundation.
Source: Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
The member insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies form a multi-billion dollar organization providing property and casualty insurance for personal and commercial customers worldwide through 8,000 independent agents and brokers. Chubb’s global network includes branches and affiliates in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia. The company is noted for its Masterpiece ® line of personal insurance products for homes, autos, watercraft and valuable possessions, including antiques, jewelry, fine arts and other collectibles, as well as personal and excess liability protection.