Water damage can cause some significant damage to your home, and unfortunately, in many cases, it’s only evident that there has been water damage when the worst has happened, like a pipe bursting or water leaking through from your bathroom into the floor below. Behind the scenes, water damage can go unnoticed for a long time and manifest itself when it causes a huge amount of damage that is going to be difficult and costly to repair. So, whether you’re moving home or simply want to make sure that your current property is well-protected, what can you do to prevent water damage?
Trace and Access Cover
Although including trace and access cover on your home insurance policy won’t be able to stop water damage from occurring in your property, it can certainly make it much easier to deal with should a situation arise in the future. Trace and access covers the costs involved with locating and exposing a leak in your home. You might also want to ensure that your policy includes the cost to repair the source of the water leak, as many policies will include the cost to repair the damage caused by a leak – but not to repair the actual source of the leak. Use Pinpoint’s guide which highlights how trace and access leak detection works. They’ve detailed what you should do in the event that you spot a water leak and how you can go about repairing any damages that have incurred as a result.
Know the Signs
Knowing the early tell-tale signs of a leak or other water damage in your home will ensure that you can deal with the problem as quickly as possible rather than waiting for very costly damage to be done. If you can hear running water in your home even though you know you’ve switched all the taps off, have seen some tell-tale dark or wet spots, particularly in corners, a damp, musty or mouldy smell has appeared out of nowhere, or your utility bills have skyrocketed for no reason, it could be a sign that you have a leak.
Clean Your Gutters
Blockages and ice dams in your gutters can easily lead to leaks and water damage, and the best way to prevent this is by cleaning them on a regular basis, usually around twice a year or more often if you live close to lots of trees or get a lot of debris blowing onto your roof. Standing water can cause serious damage to your roof and gutters, so either get up there yourself with a ladder to clean them out or hire a professional to do it for you. It might not be the nicest job you’ll ever have to do, but it’s definitely worth it.
Check Appliances Regularly
Finally, be sure to check any appliances that use water regularly like your washing machine and dishwasher. If you have an old, trusty washing machine, bear in mind that its hose might not be as reliable. Washing machine hoses that have become old and worn can quickly cause serious leaks, so if your washing machine has had the same hose for some years, it’s probably time to replace it.
By being vigilant about leaks, taking preventative measures and getting the right insurance, you can help to minimise the impact of water damage in your home.