Preventing water damage
Are you afraid of water infiltration? Here are some practical tips to prevent water damage in your home.
Cold weather
A simple step to prevent water infiltration in your home is to clean the eavestroughs surrounding your home. I like to do this in the spring or fall when the weather is milder. In a safe manner, try to remove all the leaves that have become lodged in the gutters. Then, use a garden hose from the highest to the lowest point of your gutter to check that the flow is smooth. And that's it!
Freezing pipes can also pose a risk of water damage inside your home. Ice can get stuck and build up in the pipes, causing breakage in the material. This breakage could cause water to leak into the walls and floors and damage your property. Therefore, during the cold season, it is always recommended to empty your hoses and to keep an adequate temperature to heat your home even during your absence.
Hot weather
A common cause of water damage, although it may seem surprising, is the positioning of your landscaping. In fact, your landscaping can play an important role in problems related to water infiltration. The alignment of your landscape could lead water to your home and create cracks in the foundation. It is therefore important to have a land leveling that leads the water away from the foundation of your home.
At all times
Sewer backups and basement water damage account for a large portion of claims. In order to ensure that you are adequately insured, I recommend that you take an inventory of your property in that location. This is a simple way to determine if your water damage coverage limit for soil and sewer damage is sufficient to replace your belongings and repair walls and floors in the event of a loss.
Installing water leak detectors is also a great way to limit the damage that could be caused by water. These detectors are usually located near plumbing fixtures and major water-carrying pipes. It is also possible to install an automatic water shut-off system, in case of water detection, so your detectors send a signal that orders the water to be shut off in your home and limits the damage.
Be careful with water damage. To ensure that you are adequately insured, I recommend that you contact your broker.
To speak with one of our brokers: 1 866 961-3553
