How to Prevent Home Water Damage: Detect to Protect
Household leaks are more common than many of us realize. According to the EPA household leaks lead to over 1 trillion gallons of wasted water each year. That's enough for 11 million houses to use for an entire year!
That's exactly why at at FireAvert we are committed to stopping leaks in homes. Leaks can range from innocent drips to potential flood precursors. Let's talk about how to prevent water damage in your home.
Understanding Water Damage in Your Home
A 2023 study by the Insurance Information Institute found that water damage claims are the second most frequent insurance claim. These are incredibly costly with the average claim being over $13,954 for water damage restoration.
Nobody wants to pay that much money for any reason, least of all because a faucet was just dripping.
What does water damage look like?
Water Stains - The most obvious sign of water damage is a water stain. These often look like subtle discolorations on your walls, ceiling, or floors.
Mold & Mildew - Mold can begin growing within 24 hours. Identifying leaks is critical to stopping mold or mildew from growing in your home. To learn more about mold read our article here.
Sitting/Dripping Water - The first sign of damage is often hearing drips or finding sitting water.
Peeling Paint or Cracks - Cracks in your walls ceilings can be a sign of serious water damage. Cracks or bubbles in paint or wallpaper can also identify damage.
Now we know what water damage looks like, but what causes it?
What are the most common causes of home water damage?
Unfortunately, the most common causes of water damage are present in every single home. They top three are:
- Plumbing issues
- Faulty appliances
- Weather
1. Plumbing issues
Every modern home has plumbing features. Toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, A/C, and dishwashers all require some form of plumbing.
Plumbing leaks can lead to water damage and simply waste water, raising your costs of living. The EPA says
"Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills."
Common plumbing culprits include:
- Leaky toilets
- Dripping faucets or showerheads
- Blocked drains
- Leaky water supply line
With so many different types of plumbing in every home, it is common for a small leak to start. If that leak is not detected it will lead to water damage in your home.
2. Faulty appliances
The dishwasher and A/C are often the most used household appliances. And they also both need water, leading to water damage risks.
Dishwashers: If your dishwasher is leaking underneath the unit, it is likely due to a damaged water supply line. Check your units specifications to learn how to repair this.
If water is leaking from the bottom of the door it could be due to an unlevel dishwasher. A dishwasher must be level to function properly.
Other possible reasons for leaks are damaged parts. A damaged door latch or gasket can prevent the door from closing, leading to leaks.
Air Conditioning Units: A clogged or damaged drain line or drain pan are common reasons your A/C unit is leaking. Inspect these parts and make sure your drain line is connected if your A/C has sprung a leak.
Another critical component is the condenser. If your condenser is broken or the pump isn't able to drain you will likely find a leak. You will also notice reduced airflow if your condenser isn't working.
Other common causes of A/C leaks are:
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Dirty air filters
- Low refrigerant levels
- Or simply, improper installation.
Our home appliances are used almost, if not, every day. A leak from one of these household appliances can quickly lead to water damage and mold buildup.
3. Weather
Unfortunately water damage from the weather is the least controllable. It also often leads to the most costly repairs.
Heavy rainfall can lead to water damage in basements. Hail and heavy winds can damage your roof and gutters, making even light rain a risk for water damage.
Even extreme heat can be a factor in causing water damage. Heat can form cracks for water to seep into, causing potential structural damage.
Preparing for weather related water damage is often the best way to prevent it. The weather where you live will determine what measures you need to take.
What is Smart Leak Detection?
In most circumstances, the only way to prevent water damage is to detect it early. The best leak prevention is early leak detection.
Conducting frequent inspections of your plumbing, appliances, and exterior can detect potential problems. But for a simpler alternative we suggest installing smart home water sensors, aka leak detectors.
What are leak detectors?
These devices can have many names, but all do the same thing, detect the presence of water. Smart Home, or WiFi water sensors can send notifications to homeowners alerting them to leaks or flooding.
How do leak detectors work?
Leak detectors detect water and sound an alarm or send an alert. There are three main types of water monitors:
- Optical Sensors
- Electric Field Sensors
- Conduction Sensors
Optical Sensors - These sensors use infrared light to detect changes in light. When water is present the light is refracted differently, which these sensor detect.
Electric Field Sensors - This type of sensor emits an electrical field that gets interrupted with the presence of water.
Conduction Sensor - This is arguably the best type of water sensor. It uses two electrodes that form a complete electrical current when water is present. This method ensures that only water will trigger the alarm.
Where to install leak monitors?
The most important factor to detecting leaks is correct placement. You should always have water sensors in high risk areas such as:
- Basements
- Under sinks
- Near appliances that use water
- Behind toilets
Having the right leak detectors in the right places can save you thousands of dollars in home repairs.
How to Prevent Water Damage in Your Home: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1. Identify Weak Spots -
Begin by walking through your home and identifying the areas of your home at high risk of water damage. Check pipes, faucets, toilets, and showerheads for leaks or drips.
Step 2. Install Smart Leak Detection -
For maximum protection high risk areas that you identified should have smart water monitors installed. This is the first line of defense against water damage.
Step 3. Safeguard High-Risk Areas -
For some areas, there are other prevention methods that can help minimize potential water damage.
Install a sump pump in your basement if necessary. Replace all old or damaged hoses for appliances. Replace leaky pipes, faucets, or showerheads.
Step 4. Prepare for Emergencies -
Locate your main water shutoff valve (and label it)! If a big leak is detected you should be able to shutoff your water ASAP before getting repairs.
Inspect your roof and gutters regularly to ensure rain can't cause water damage. If flooding is common in your area prepare with sandbags and sump pumps.
Like we've said before, the best prevention is early detection. Until you know a problem exists you can't fix it. Prevent water damage in your home by installing leak detectors.
If you are interested in creating a smart home that prevents both water AND fire damage, check out FireAvert PRO.
Our PRO suite prevents the most common cause of fire damage, and detects leaks before they become destructive.
