Water can cause extensive damage to our homes. A good homeowners insurance policy is a life saver when recovering from a water damaged home. However, it is easier if you can prevent it from happening in the first place. We suggest using these four prevention measures to ensure that it never happens to you.
Drain Water Away From Your Foundation
Excessive pooling of rainwater close to your house may cause the soil around it to settle unevenly. This uneven settling stresses your foundation. Waterlogged soil also exerts more pressure against foundation walls. Rather than stress and damage your foundation this way, ensure that rainwater drains away from your home. This is done by making sure the ground slopes down and away from the house. It should drop 6 inches for every 10 feet.
Keep the rain gutters along your roof clear of dirt and debris and make sure that the downspouts direct water at least 5 to 10 feet away from your house.
Look For Plumbing Leaks And Immediately Repair Them
Chronic leaking causes extensive mold damage and dry rot. Signs of leakage include water stains on ceilings and walls, damp carpeting, and dark wet spots beneath the plumbing under sinks. Sometimes you can hear running water sounds or hissing from the walls when water gushes from a damaged pipe. If your water bill increases for no apparent reason, you may have a leak. You can also detect water leakage by turning off all faucets and appliances that use water for two hours. If your water meter indicates water usage during that time, you have a leak.
Inspect Your Roof
A damaged roof gives rainwater direct entry into your home. Have your roof inspected once a year by a licensed professional. The damage that he looks for will depend on the type of roof that you have.
Upgrade Your Washing Machine Hose
If your washing machine hose breaks while it’s in use, extensive flooding can happen before someone notices the problem. These hoses get old and brittle over the years and often break without warning. This is one of the most common ways that home flooding occurs. Rather than routinely checking your hose over many years, have it replaced with a stainless-steel burst proof hose.
Finally
If you want to discuss options for house insurance, please call us at 561-732-9305. Our quoting hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. In addition, you can request a quote online. Please remember, We Handle All the Work, While You Save!
Robert Macoviak is the President of Oyer, Macoviak and Associates. Oyer, Macoviak and Associates is the oldest independent insurance agency in Boynton Beach and has been in business since 1953. Oyer, Macoviak and Associates are vested members of the community who are committed to doing business face-to-face and being your insurance advocate in times of need.
