Summer has
come to an end and that means fewer fair weather days to work outside. Now is a
good time to do some simple, preventative maintenance around your home to
protect it from harsh fall and winter weather.
If your
home isn’t properly maintained, it could be vulnerable to water damage –one of
the most costly Homeowners
Insurance claims.
Water
running or dripping into your home from the outside can rot drywall and support
beams, crack foundation walls and cause mold. Standard
Homeowners policies do not cover water damage unless it is the result of a
covered peril such as a broken water pipe or water that gets into the home due
to a fire or windstorm. Damage from roof leaks, excessive
condensation or poor landscaping is excluded from coverage.
Nationally,
in 2007, water damage, including frozen, burst pipes, accounted for 22 percent
of all Homeowners Insurance claims, according to the Insurance
Information Institute. The average claim was $5,531.
The good
news is most water-damage losses are easily preventable by taking some simple
maintenance steps. NW Insurance Council and the Institute
for Business & Home Safety offer these tips to help you prevent future
damage and thousands of dollars in repair costs:
- Inspect your roof. Remove leaves, branches
and debris from gutters to prevent water blockage and possible run-off
into the home.
- If you find a leak, clean and dry the exposed area
and fix the problem immediately.
- Routinely inspect ceilings, walls, floors and
windowsills for water stains, discoloration and musty odors.
- Routinely inspect attics, vents, ducts, washer
hoses and outside water sources for leaks.
- Check and replace heating system air filters.
- Properly ventilate bathrooms and kitchens to
prevent a moisture buildup.
- Use high quality silicone caulk to seal areas
where cables or pipes exit walls, such as around clothes dryers, kitchen
or bathroom vents and outdoor electrical outlets.
- Routinely caulk bathtubs, sinks, tile walls and
floors to prevent water seepage.
- To reduce flooding from poor drainage or excessive rainfall, clear outside drains of debris and make sure your lot’s grading directs water away from buildings.
For free
brochures, Protect Your
Home From Water Damage and Maintenance
Guide For Your Home, contact NW Insurance Council at (800)
664-4942.
NW
Insurance Council is a nonprofit, public-education organization funded by
member insurance companies serving Washington, Oregon and Idaho.www.nwinsurance.org
