IVCO Inspection Service

The home insurance industry reports that water damage in our homes is one of the most frequent and most significant claims in terms of monetary payout. Being proactive in checking certain items can prevent water damage, thereby saving time, money, and heartache, especially if water damages priceless items such as one’s wedding album or baby book, or the last known color picture of one’s wise old grandmother when she arrived in America at Ellis Island. The following tips and tricks are easy and inexpensive.

ü       Do not run the dishwasher or washing machine when you’re not at home.

ü       If you leave for several days, turn the main water valve off or have a neighbor or family member check the property each day. If you turn the main water valve off, also turn your water heater down to the vacation setting.

ü       Create an emergency plan for shutting off water. Know where the shutoff valves are for the property and for water-using appliances, i.e., sinks, toilets, water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine.

ü       Check for corrosion on pipes and valves. Although common, it can indicate small leaks, static electric charges on metal pipes, improper connections between two different metals, and/or chemical storage nearby. Corrosion and mineral accumulation can cause shutoff valves to fail when used.

ü       Check for small leaks by wiping with a dry paper towel. Even moisture from a very small leak will be noticeable on a dry paper towel.

ü       Do not store household chemicals in sink cabinets. By their very nature, chemicals are corrosive to metal and plastic water supply pipes and sewer pipes.

ü       Store dry materials that you use regularly—towels, napkins, bathroom tissue, etc.—in your sink cabinets. That way, whenever you pull out something that should be dry, if it’s wet, you’ll know you have some sort of leak.

ü       If you suspect a leak, turn all water-using appliances off and check your water meter. If the dial or numbers change, there’s a leak somewhere.

ü       Upgrade the water supply pipe connections to metal braid at all water-using appliances, such as the washing machine, dishwasher, water heater, sinks, and toilets.

ü       Upgrade the washing machine drainage hose to a rubber hose or metal braid hose.

ü       Install water sensors near water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, sinks, and toilets. They will sound an alarm if water is detected on the floors.

ü       Check for cracked tiles and deteriorated grout and caulk at bathtubs, showers, sinks, and toilets. Water can penetrate even the tiniest hole or crack, and daily use of a shower or bathtub can result in the walls and flooring in and around the bathtub or shower being constantly wet, resulting in structural collapse or mold growth.

ü       If your dishwasher drains into the sink basin from the silver cap on the basin rim, call a plumber. Also make sure that the slots on the cap face the sink basin so any water draining through the cap drains into the basin.

ü       Check water and drainage pipes regularly for wear or loose connections. Be proactive in replacing water supply and drainage connections every five years.

If you have any questions about anything, simply contact me. 706-776-3748

Provided by your local InterNACHI inspector:

[Michael Ivie]

[706-776-3748]

[www.georgiahomeinspections.info]

Source: Russel Ray, Property Consultant in San Diego, California. Reprinted with permission