Don't Let Appliances Cause Water Damage
1/17/2020 (Permalink)
When water damage happens to your home, it van be a difficult thing to process regardless of he source.
However, when you discover appliances have been causing hidden water damage right under your nose, it can be even more frustrating to deal with. The good news is that through regular check-ins and inspections, homeowners can prevent this altogether.
Inspect These Household Appliances to Prevent Leaks
Hot Water Heater
The recommended lifetime of a hot water heater is anywhere between 10 and 15 years, but they have many components that can begin leaking before that. Hoses and pipes connected to the heater can begin to fail and cause water damage around the unit if it is not regularly inspected for leakage.
Refrigerator
The majority of refrigerators that are connected to a home's water line are connected via hoses in the back, which can easily lead to water damage that remains hidden until the refrigerator is moved away from the wall again- which might be a while.
Dishwasher
The same remarks about refrigerators can also apply to dishwashers, which move an even larger volume of water. Couple this with the fact that insurance won't always cover dishwasher leaks and it can cause an even larger problem. Pulling the dishwasher away from its cubby often is the best way to combat this.
Washing Machine
The hoses that connect the washing machine to the water supply should be checked once a month for leaks or any signs of wear and tear, as they are common culprits of leaks. Even if they look perfectly fine, they should be replaced every five years to be safe.
Air Conditioner
The condensation that builds up while the air conditioning unit runs is generally a small amount that is quickly drained away. When issues to the drain system arise, however, they can cause water damage to the unit as well as surrounding structures. Performing your regular HVAC maintenance as recommended is the best preventative, as well as checking it regularly when it is running often for performance issues.
If your home has been impacted by water damage or you'd like to put a plan in place in case it happens to you contact us to learn how we can help.