Did you know that people pay millions of dollars each year in water loss claims? Water damage is often as harmful as fire damage. It is a common and costly disaster. It can be due to anything from sewage backup to a leaking roof. So how can you avoid catastrophic water damage? Keep a Check on Your Appliances

1. Washing Machines: After over 5 years of usage, the discharge hose on your washing machine might become brittle and crack due to the vibration. So keep an eye on that.
2. Refrigerator Icemaker Lines: You should inspect your refrigerator lines annually. Given that these lines are plastic, they can corrode and break over  You should hire a licensed professional to check these lines in case they need replacement.
3. Air Conditioners: Air conditioners can often result in significant water damage. This could be due to a disconnected or clogged drain, clogged air filter, dirty evaporator coil, condensation building up in ductworkor a low refrigerant. Either way, this could result in something as minor as a puddle around your air conditioner to something as major as the ceiling of your home caving in due to the water damage. To prevent this, you must keep your air conditioner well-maintained – which means cleaning the filters and checking the pipes on at least a weekly basis.
4. Other Appliances with Water Lines: You should inspect the water hose lines feeding your dishwashers and even the sinks in your home. You should replace them if you feel they are suffering from some kind of water damage which could eventually affect your home.

Downspouts outside the Home Downspouts should always be maintained and effective at diverting water at least about 6 feet away from the base of the home.  It’s always a good idea to take preventative measures to ensure water is not seeping into your basement due to heavy rain. Check Your Roof Deteriorated, damaged or missing roofing materials and ice dams can cause water to enter through the roof and damage walls, ceilings, and floors. Insufficient attic insulation and ventilation can exacerbate the deterioration of a roof and lead to ice dam formation. Wind, snow, frost, precipitation, or foot traffic activity may also affect the ability of a roof to hold out water. Other debris on the roof including leaves and branches can also stop water from properly draining off a roof. So keep your roof clean and well-maintained to avoid water damage. Know About Your Main Shut-off Valve Older children and adults should be aware of where the location of the main water supply shut-off valve and how to turn it off. In a crisis, you don't want to waste time searching for it. Often the shut-off is next to the water meter or where the main water pipe enters the house. Appliances that use water such as toilets and dishwasher, usually also have shut-off valves. It’s important to prevent water damage especially after a storm but ideally, you should continue to keep a check on all sources of water that could potentially harm your home or business area. Visit our website to find out more about water damage prevention.