By James Lunders, Agent

If you are involved in insuring, managing or owing real estate, you have received many calls from clients who have suffered a water loss. After all, statistics indicate that over one million water damage incidents occur every year. The average American uses between 80 to 100 gallons of water a day, and that sometimes it goes astray and leads to a disaster. The best “solution” is to help your clients prevent water damage from occurring in the first place!

These are some of the most common sources of claims and tips on how they can be avoided:

INCOMING WASHER HOSES are the most common source of water damage in a home. Inferior hoses can become brittle over time, causing them to burst.  The best solution is to simply turn the hose valves on and off as we start and finish the task of washing clothes.  Although the washing machine manufacturers post a small notice recommending that the hoses be replaced every five years, this notice is seldom seen and rarely followed. The next line of defense is to replace existing hoses with wire-braided, high-pressure hoses.

ICE MAKER LEAKS are very common and very damaging. Continual, slow leaks can migrate under vinyl, stone and other flooring without notice. At least once a month, move the refrigerator or other appliances and physically check for any water damage or signs of leaks.

FREEZING PIPES are more vulnerable to winter cold in Southern climates. Pipes are more likely to be located in unprotected areas outside the building insulation and homeowners tend to be less aware of potential freezing problems, which may occur only once or twice a season. In Southern states the “temperature alert threshold” is 20 degrees F. The most common solution for vulnerable pipes is to wrap them with foam or fiberglass insulation sleeves. On nights when the forecast predicts that temperatures will dip to 20 degrees or below, let faucets drip slowly to keep water flowing through pipes that are vulnerable to freezing.

By James Lunders, Agent

As winter progresses through cycles of freezing and thawing, many homeowners experience ice buildup and roof damage.  An ice dam is an accumulation of ice at the lower edge of a sloped roof, usually at the gutter. When interior heat melts the snow on the roof, the water runs down and refreezes at the roof’s edge, where temperatures are much cooler. Eventually, the ice builds up and blocks water from draining off of the roof. This, in turn, forces the water under the roof covering and into the attic or down the inside walls of the house. Once an ice dam forms, the potential damage can be serious. Take these steps now to avoid trouble later:

• Ensure that gutters are clear of leaves and debris.
• Keep the attic well ventilated. The colder the attic, the less melting and refreezing on the roof.
• Keep the attic floor well insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.

This three-step approach decreases the likelihood that ice dams will form or, at least, reduces their size. As an extra precaution against roof leaks in case ice dams do form, consider installing a water-repellent membrane under the roof covering. Talk with your local building official about minimum code requirements for ice dam protection.
In the event that an ice dam has already formed, there are several steps that may be taken to reduce its ill effects.  Using a roof rake and push broom, remove the snow by carefully pulling it down the slope of the roof line. Never pull snow across the roof as it may break off the shingles and cause further damage.  In an emergency situation where water is flowing into the house structure, making channels through the ice dam will allow water behind the dam to escape.  Hosing with tap water on a warm day will accomplish this.  However, these channels will become ineffective within days and should only be viewed as a temporary solution.