Water damage & Insurance
It is reported that internal home water damage or otherwise known as water ingress has increased in Australia by 72 % in the past 5 years & accounts for 34% of all claims, which is just short of theft & fire.
The average water damage claim has risen from $17 627 in 2014 to $32 000 in 2019.
This is partly due to the increase in modern plumbed in appliances such as fridges, water filters & the wider use of flexible hose (plastic or rubber tube with a steel braid around it) connections to most taps & toilets.
A typical manufacturer's warranty is around 10 years, so it is recommended that they should be replaced by a licensed plumber before this time.
Home owners focus on protecting their homes from fire & theft by installing alarm systems & smoke detectors, but there is a far less focus on protecting homes from water damage
Water damage not only causes expensive damage to floor, carpets, furniture & ceilings but it can result in families having to vacate their homes for extended periods while repair works are being done. These living costs may or may not be claimable depending on your specific insurance company.
As your licensed plumber we regularly attend to burst water services to taps & toilets & get to see this water damage first hand. We recommend you check these flexible water services several times a year & have them replaced when you see a rust mark or twist in this pipe.
If you buy a fridge that requires connection to the water supply, contact Moyle Plumbing to have this installed professionally. Your inlet water pressures need to be tested & addressed along with the use of the correct fittings when installing fridges.
Another way to protect your home from water ingress is to turn off water valves to appliances or at the water mains when you go away on holiday, maintain your bathroom & kitchen water fittings & seals on taps & waste pipes.
Attend to mould or moisture in wet areas. The cause & source of this mould & moisture needs to be addressed to prevent water ingress. If you’re not sure, give Moyle Plumbing a call for advice on this.
Maintain & clean out your gutters, to prevent water pooling on your roof & running back into the wall cavities which will cause water ingress.
Don’t wait for our next large storm to find out your storm water drains are blocked.
Keep your storm water drains clear of rubble, stones, leaf matter & grass. Run your hose down your storm water drains & if the water backs up, you have a problem & we recommend you call Moyle Plumbing to attend with their high pressure jet.
Here is one Insurance Report that suggests water damage to homes has increased significantly.