With this year’s rain we hear a lot about possible flooding and while it is something to be aware of and possibly prepare for, the overwhelming cause of water claims in Ventura County is due to a water line leak/break in our homes. Water claims are currently the number one cause of loss for insurers in California and is a big driver of rate increases for Homeowners coverage.
These water losses generally fall into 4 categories: 1) Leak in pressure line in or under the foundation of your home or in the wall. 2) Leak from supply line for your sinks, toilets, and washing machine. 3) Roof or window leaks due to wind and rain storms. 4) Back up in the sewer line.
No matter what type of loss you suffer you are not going to have fun. If you have carpeting you will have heaters, dehumidifiers, and fans in your home. If you have wood flooring you will experience warping. There may be wall damage and if the leak was from a water line in the slab or wall they will have to break something to repair the pipe.
However, a large portion of these water losses can be prevented with a little easy maintenance. The water supply lines that feed water to your kitchen and bathroom sinks; the toilets; and washing machine get old and can burst and if you are not home when it happens, it can lead to a giant mess. The good news is they are on the outside of the wall so can be inspected and replaced if necessary very easily and inexpensively. There are several different types of lines. When I replace mine, I buy the stainless steel as they seem to last longer.
If you don’t have the time to inspect and replace these or don’t think you can do a proper job, a handyman can do the job for a small fee. This will certainly be hundreds of dollars less for you than having a water claim and save you from a giant headache that having drying fans running over several days will give you.
So inspect those water lines. If you have questions on this or need a plumber or handyman referral, please give me a call.
These water losses generally fall into 4 categories: 1) Leak in pressure line in or under the foundation of your home or in the wall. 2) Leak from supply line for your sinks, toilets, and washing machine. 3) Roof or window leaks due to wind and rain storms. 4) Back up in the sewer line.
No matter what type of loss you suffer you are not going to have fun. If you have carpeting you will have heaters, dehumidifiers, and fans in your home. If you have wood flooring you will experience warping. There may be wall damage and if the leak was from a water line in the slab or wall they will have to break something to repair the pipe.
However, a large portion of these water losses can be prevented with a little easy maintenance. The water supply lines that feed water to your kitchen and bathroom sinks; the toilets; and washing machine get old and can burst and if you are not home when it happens, it can lead to a giant mess. The good news is they are on the outside of the wall so can be inspected and replaced if necessary very easily and inexpensively. There are several different types of lines. When I replace mine, I buy the stainless steel as they seem to last longer.
If you don’t have the time to inspect and replace these or don’t think you can do a proper job, a handyman can do the job for a small fee. This will certainly be hundreds of dollars less for you than having a water claim and save you from a giant headache that having drying fans running over several days will give you.
So inspect those water lines. If you have questions on this or need a plumber or handyman referral, please give me a call.
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