Agent,  James Lunders

Water damage is one of the most common problems that people experience in their homes. Water may enter through a leak in your roof, from appliance failures such as washing machines, dishwashers, or icemakers, through broken sewer lines, or from major fire extinguishing efforts.  The longer the water sits, the more extensive the damage becomes. Immediately addressing water problems can often save thousands of dollars in damage repair costs.

To create a common language and to help allow for standardization between disaster restoration companies and insurance adjusters, water damages are broken down into categories with guidelines for dealing with each.  According to the IICRC Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration (IICRC S500), there are three categories of water that cause damage in buildings.  They are summarized as follows:

Category 1—CLEAN WATER originates from a source that does not pose substantial harm to humans.  Examples: burst water pipes, failed supply lines on appliances and vertically falling rainwater

Category 2—GRAY WATER (unsanitary) contains a significant degree of contamination, physical, biological or chemical, and has potential to cause discomfort or sickness if consumed by humans.  Examples: small overflow of toilet bowls with no waste, broken aquariums, dishwasher and washing machine overflows

Category 3—BLACK WATER (grossly unsanitary) contains pathogenic agents.  Examples:  sewage back-ups, floodwater, water that contains chemical or other wastes

Different removal methods and measures are used depending upon the category of water.  Water may lurk behind baseboards, sheetrock, and studs and is often missed by homeowners, resulting in bacteria and mold issues.  Cleaners will use specialized moisture detection tools to assess the affected areas, determine the extent of the damage, and establish a plan for returning the area to a pre-loss condition.  Services will be provided safely, quickly, and with as little inconvenience to the homeowner as possible.

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.

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.

By James Lunders, Insurance Agent

For many people, decorating the Christmas tree is a favorite part of the holiday. The National Safety Council offers some safety tips to make sure a mishap doesn’t spoil your holiday season.

Tree lights

Only use indoor lights indoors (and outdoor lights only outdoors). Look for the UL label. Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Replace or repair any damaged light sets.

Also, use no more than three light sets on any one extension cord. Extension cords should be placed against the wall to avoid tripping hazards, but do not run cords under rugs.
Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.

Christmas Trees

Try to select a fresh tree by looking for one that is green. The needles of pines and spruces should bend, not break and should be hard to pull off the branches. On fir species, a needle pulled from a fresh tree will snap when bent, much like a fresh carrot. Also, look for a trunk sticky with sap.

Cut off about two inches of the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand. Keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out quickly.

Stand your tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Make sure the tree does not block foot traffic or doorways.
If you use an artificial tree, choose one that tested and labeled as fire resistant. Artificial trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season

By James Lunders, Insurance Agent

What you should know about Turkey Fryers

A longtime food favorite in the southern United States, the delicious deep-fried turkey has quickly grown in popularity thanks to celebrity chefs. While some people rave about this tasty creation, UL safety experts are concerned that backyard chefs may be sacrificing safety for good taste. After extensive testing, UL has decided not to certify any turkey fryers with their trusted UL mark.

Here’s why using a deep-fryer can be dangerous:

• Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil,which can result in fire.
• If the cooking pot is overfilled, oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed inside. The burner will ignite the oil, which can cause flames to engulf the entire unit.
• Marinades or water from frozen turkeys may react with the oil, causing the oil to spillover resulting in a fire or explosion.
• With no thermostat controls, the unit also has the potential to overheat to the point of combustion.

If you must use a turkey fryer, here are some tips for safer use:

• Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other material that can burn. Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages.
• Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
• If the fire increases, immediately call 9-1-1.

By James Lunders, Insurance Agent

When was the last time you thought about your water heater?  Most people don’t unless it stops working during a power outage.  It’s wonderful that something works so dependably for years and years, but that wonderful service can lull you into complacency and have drastic consequences.
Did you know…

• 29.7 % of all water heaters in the United States will rupture before they’re 9 years old.
• Over 69% of water heaters will rupture by age 14.
• Each year an estimated 5,000,000 water heaters will be replaced due to ruptures.  A hot water heater will fail regardless of whether or not the water is flowing or the resident is home.
• The repair costs from water heater ruptures can be among the most expensive because the water heater is inside the home, holds large quantities of mold inducing hot water, and can go unnoticed for long periods of time.
• Decreasing the amount of water heater failures by half could potentially save the insurance industry an estimated 5-10 billion dollars a year.

To protect your home from the devastating effects of a hot water heater failure, be sure to visually inspect the heater monthly, check the age and replace hot water heaters after 10 years, and talk to your plumber about placing the heater in an area that won’t be greatly affected by water like your garage, basement or crawlspace.  Never put a hot water heater in your attic.  If it fails, the water will affect every part of the home under the unit causing tremendous amounts of aggravation to the homeowner and a major expense to the insurance company.

Q: How do I know if I have water damage in my kitchen?

A: The following are typical signs of water damage in the kitchen:

• Leaks under the sink
  
• Slow draining pipes
  
• Cracked tile or missing grout
  
• Soft or stained walls or floors
  
• Leaks under and around the base of the dishwasher
  
• Moisture behind the refrigerator 

Q: I can see discoloration on the wall near my utility sink and the wall is getting softer.  Does that mean there is a problem?
A: Stained or discolored walls around the utility sink probably means there is a leak in the pipes behind the stained wall.  Fixing these pipes usually requires professional help.

Q: What are the warning signs for water damage caused by the refrigerator?
A: Generally, there are three red flags for water damage originating by the refrigerator:

• Moisture behind or under the refrigerator, including water accumulating on the coils
  
• Leaks from the hose connection and seals (Commonly found in the icemaker’s water supply line) 
• Mold growth in the drain pan, which indicates an ongoing problem that must be treated immediately.  This should be checked quarterly.

However, one problem that can arise with fuses occurs when someone inserts a fuse of higher amperage than the circuit is designed for.  For example, a homeowner tires of replacing blown fuses and inserts a 30-amp fuse where a 20-amp fuse should go, the 30-amp fuse allows more current into the circuit than the circuit was designed to accommodate.  The fuse “blows” indicating that the circuits are overloaded. These must be replaced as the fuse element burns up.  A fire can result.

If you have a fuse box, it’s a great idea to have an electrician inspect it and check the wire size to install the proper fuse bases. Type S fuses should be used in aging fuse panels to prevent over fusing. Type S fuses are the only type allowed by the National Electrical Code in new fuse box installations.

Whether you have a fuse box or a breaker box, have your electrician tell you the size of your electrical service to make sure it is sufficient. Years ago, 60-amp or 100-amp service wasn’t uncommon; but most families today have electrical appliances that demand more service.  It’s smart to get an electrician’s opinion on whether an update is needed since modern homes are typically wired for minimum 200-amp service.

Electrical fires are all too common, and many homes in the U.S. need electrical updates.  Please take whatever action necessary to update the electrical service in your home.

Although the number of crash-related fatalities for children has steadily decreased since 1975, motor vehicle crashes remains one of the leading causes of death for children¹.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that, on average, 6 children under the age of 15 years were killed and 721 were injured in crashes everyday in 2002².  Sadly, most of these deaths could have been prevented.  Half of all children under age 15 killed in crashes were completely unrestrained².  Although all 50 states currently have some form of child restraint laws, parents and drivers need to make sure children are appropriately restrained every car ride.  Here are some tips to help keep kids safe in vehicles:            

• All children 12 and under should ride in the back seat of the vehicle appropriately restrained³            
• Make sure children are appropriately restrained according to current best practices.  NHTSA recommends the following guidelines⁴:
  • Infants: Birth until at least 20 pounds AND at least 1 year old should ride rear-facing in an infant or convertible seat
  • Toddlers: Over at least 20 pounds AND over at least 1 year old; up to 40 pounds should ride forward-facing in a convertible or combination seat
  • Young children: Over 40 pounds; Up to at least age 8, unless 4’9” should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat with a lap and should seat belt
  • Older children: Over 8 years old or 4’9” should use a lap and shoulder seat belt

• All child safety seats should be used and installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, as well as the vehicle owner’s manual instructions
• Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an airbagBe a good role model…always wear your seat belt.  For adults, seat belts in combination with air bags provide the best protection against injury and death in crashes.  

¹Insurance Institute For Highway Safety

²National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

³AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics

4Current as of May 2003