Take steps now to prevent them
(ARA) - While most homeowners have nightmares
about natural disasters such as tornados, hurricanes and hail damaging
their house, it tends to be the more mundane occurrences like undetected
leaks and burst pipes that are the most common cause of water damage
to personal property.
“On average, almost three-fourths of our home
water-loss claims each year are caused by an appliance people use every
day, such as a washing machine, water heater or refrigerator,” says
Georgie Anderson, Safeco claims adjuster. “I vividly remember a recent
incident where the homeowner put a load of laundry in her new front-loading
washing machine and then left for a soccer tournament. When she returned
hours later, she discovered that although the door had popped open mid-cycle,
the washing machine had continued to run all day, spouting untold gallons
of water into the laundry room and surrounding area.”
The good news is that taking a few easy steps
now can prevent a lot of trouble and expense later. Anderson points
out that many common water problems are easily avoidable with simple
maintenance. “Spending just $10 on a new hose for the washing machine
can prevent thousands of dollars in property damage.”
Homeowners who experience water damage might
be surprised to find out how expensive ignoring routine maintenance
can be. Some find their insurance doesn’t cover the damage and they’re
left with the bill. “Most policies don’t cover damage caused by poor
maintenance or neglect,” says Jim Arciere, vice president of Safeco
Claims. Even with a covered loss, the homeowner still needs to pay the
policy’s deductible and deal with the hassle of cleanup and repair.
To help homeowners pinpoint possible problem
areas in their homes, Safeco is launching an interactive, Web-based
guide to water damage prevention that outlines easy steps that can help
avoid costly water losses and repairs. The “Drip” site, found at www.safeco.com/drip,
includes a room-by-room house tour highlighting potential trouble spots.
The site also provides other important information, such as steps to
take in the event of a water emergency; tips for deciding which repairs
are do-it-yourself and which should be left to a professional; and a
review of water damage that insurance typically does and does not cover.
Here are a few tips from “Preventing Water Damage
in Your Home:”
* Regularly look for wear, cracks and bulges
in washing machines hoses; replace rubber hoses with reinforced steel-braided
hoses.
* Repair failed seals and cracked tiles or grout
on bathtub and shower stalls.
* Check roof on a regular basis, especially after
a storm; replace worn, curled or missing shingles.
* Check for leaks in icemaker supply line and
replace immediately.
* When leaving home for an extended period of
time, don’t leave any water-using appliances running and consider turning
off their water supply.
For more useful tips on how to keep your home
safe from water damage, visit www.safeco.com/drip.
Courtesy of ARA Content
