September 17, 2014
Quick Tips for Preventing water Damage

Property damage from a water loss is anyone's worst nightmare. What's worse is when it could have been prevented. A study by the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) identified 10 areas where proper maintenance can help a homeowner avoid experiencing such a loss.  
In This Issue
Get To Know Your Appliances
Appliances can sprout leaks because of aging materials, improper connections, or ruptured hoses. Water damage from appliances can be prevented by conducting routine maintenance of appliances that use water. 

Water Heater:The chance that a water heater will leak or burst begins to increase when it is 5 years old. Three-quarters of all water heaters will fail before they are 12 years old.
 
LOSS PREVENTION & MAINTENANCE TIPS: 
- Remove sediment by flushing the tank every 6 months. 
- Have a professional inspect the anode rod at least once every 2 years, while under warranty, and once annually after the warranty expires. 

Toilets: 78% of incidents were caused by faulty supply lines, toilet flanges, fill valve assemblies, or toilets that backed up and overflowed.
 
LOSS PREVENTION & MAINTENANCE TIPS: 
- Inspect flushing mechanism inside the toilet every 6 months. 
- Replace the flapper or fill valve assembly if you notice intermittent or constant tank    refilling when the toilet is not in use. 
- Operate the valve to make sure that water supply will shut off. replace if needed.

Washing Machines: A burst supply line causes half of all water damage incidents involving washing machines. 

LOSS PREVENTION & MAINTENANCE TIPS:
- Turn supply line off when not in use; consider installing a lever-type valve that is easy to operate between uses.
- Inspect water supply line hose for cracks, kinks, or blisters every 6 months. 
- Washing machine manufacturers recommend replace washing machine hoses every 5 years. 

Refrigerator Ice Maker: 73% of losses involving an ice maker were caused by failure of the supply line hose.

LOSS PREVENTION & MAINTENANCE TIPS: 
- Inspect the house & water shut-off valve every 6 months. Operate to ensure that water supply will shut off, replace if needed.
- Inspect supply hose for kinks, cracks, or blistering every 6 months, replace if needed.

Unattended Home Checklist
Pipes, water heaters, and other appliances can break & leak. In freezing weather, pipes can freeze and both PVC and copper pipes can burst, causing major damage in a home left unattended

If you will be away for a period of 24 hours or more, the best protection is to shut the water off and drain water lines. In addition; 
- Close and lock all doors and windows.
- Leave your thermostat set to AT LEAST 55 degrees during winter temperatures.
- Shut off the gas to the water heater, or turn the temperature control to a vacation setting.
If you choose to or must leave water service on, take the following precautions; 
- Turn off water supply to individual fixtures, like your washing machine, ice maker, toilets, and sinks. 
- Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces, attic, and especially in a garage or basement next to the outside wall. 
- Do not leave appliances running when you leave. Check to make sure the toilets are not running. 
- Arrange for someone to check your property to ensure the heat is still adequate & there are no leaks.


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