Around 60% of all home insurance claims are the direct result of an ‘escape of water’ and the numbers are on the increase, these types of insurance claims can be costly and time consuming to repair. Being aware of the main causes and making regular inspections may help reduce your risk of making a claim in the future.
What are the main causes of leaks in a property?
Bathroom leaks
The main cause of ‘escape of water’ leaks in the home originate in the bathroom. Here are some of the areas which can result in a claim:
Leaks can occasionally occur around the seals of the shower including the shower door and tray which if left for some time can lead to damaged walls and flooring. A regular inspection around the seals could avoid any potential water damage.
Similar to the seals around the shower, the seals around the bath can also fail. Checking for gaps can be easily done and may reduce the risk of a water leak which can cause slow but significant damage if undetected over time. Whilst checking the seals around the edge of the bath remember to inspect the seals around the base of the taps as well where gaps may occur through tap movement.
A bath drain can be problematic (particularly when the bath is plastic or fibreglass), as it will move slightly with use and can lead to a break in the seal around the drain itself and also around the plug hole. This enables water to escapeunderneath the bath tub which can easily go unnoticed. Often the first sign of the leak is the appearance of water stains on the ceiling of the room below the bathroom itself.
If you suspect your bath has a leak fill the bath tub up and leave for an hour to see if the water level has dropped. This will give you an indication of a potential problem. Please note however that this could also be the symptom of an ill-fitting plug, however, in both cases the check is both worthwhile and valid.
Leaks around the sink can occur at the pipe joints and in some cases the pipes themselves. It’s always a good idea to check both thoroughly and at regular intervals. Water running down a pipe and onto the floorboards below can cause them to become swollen and rotten. A simple and frequent check can prevent this from happening.
Leaks associated with the toilet can manifest between the toilet itself and the waste pipe or emerge due to a failure with the concealed cistern valve. The leak will often occur each time the toilet is flushed. If, when you sit on the toilet it moves, this is strong indication that the toilet is damaged and that the seal is broken. Regularly check that your toilet is secured to the floor and there are no gaps in the seal between it and the floor.
Accidental damage
A secondary, yet significant cause for an ‘escape of water’ insurance claim is accidental damage caused from taps being left on and the resultant overflowing of water from a bath or sink. Always encourage your family, and particularly younger children, to double check all taps are turned off when leaving a room or the property for any period of time.
Kitchen leaks
Similar to potential bathroom sink problems the same issues can arise with the kitchen sink. Checking the seals, pipes and pipe joints regularly mitigates the same problems as mentioned above.
Water pipe leaks
In many properties the mains water pipes are buried within the concrete underneath the property itself and are therefore inaccessible to check. Because of this it can make it difficult for the homeowner to detect a problem. Often the first sign of anything being wrong is damp rising up the walls and across the floors and unfortunately at this stage there can already be extensive damage leading to expensive and disruptive repairs to the property.
Should you suspect a leak in this circumstance it is advisable to contact an expert with specialist scanning equipment to carry out a close and thorough investigation.
Extreme cold temperatures can enable the water within a property’s pipe system to freeze and expand putting pressure on the pipes which can ultimately lead to cracks. Then when the water finally melts, as temperatures rise, it inevitably escapes through the gaps leading to water damage and expensive repair bills.
Simply insulating the water pipes with inexpensive lagging and keeping your property warm can lessen the risk of freezing pipes.
Water tank
A faulty ball valve can lead to a water tank overflowing. With most property’s water tanks being located in the attic it may be some time before it is noticed that there is a problem. This could lead to substantial water damage to all floors of the property leading to expensive and disruptive repairs, therefore regular checks of the attic and water tank are advisable.
Appliance failure
Lastly, appliance failure is a regular cause for ‘escape of water’ claims in a property. Appliances that could result in this type of claim include washing machines, plumbed in fridge and freezers, dishwashers and water softeners. It is advisable not to leave these appliances running when you leave the property just in case a failure does occur.
Need some expert advice?
If you require some expert advice around protecting your property from water leaks contact specialists Westone Housing on 01733 320500 or visit www.westone.uk.com