Eliminating every possible cause isn't always possible, but preventive steps to at least minimize water damage can substantially limit its consequences. Water is eight times more likely to damage your home than a fire and, in many cases, may be more extensive and costly. However, a few general principles can minimize water damage, cut your losses and facilitate recovery.
- Know where the main shutoff valve is. Every adult occupant should know the location of the home's main shutoff valve and be able turn it off in the event of a plumbing rupture or overflow. It's also a good idea to turn off the main valve if you're leaving home for a few days. In most houses, it's outside where the main water line enters an exterior wall. Shutoff valves may be very difficult or even impossible to turn. Test it now—before an emergency occurs. If the valve is stubborn or won't rotate, call a plumber for repair.
- Check hoses and lines to appliances. These are known weak links in household plumbing. Rubber supply hoses connected to the home's washing machine are at risk of rupture after only a few years. These should be replaced by braided stainless steel lines that have long expected service life. If the plastic water line supplying your refrigerator ice maker doesn't inspire confidence, upgrade to a stainless steel replacement with copper shutoff valve. Once or twice a year, remove the kick plate at the front of the dishwasher and look underneath with a flashlight for signs of a leaky supply line.
- Don't ignore plumbing issues. Chronic minor leaks you're putting up with may unexpectedly turn into major incidents that inflict maximum water damage. A dripping pinhole that abruptly expands into a 1/8-inch leak in a water supply line can release hundreds of gallons of water per day into your house. Even the smallest pipe leaks or inconspicuous seepage around joints should be a red flag. Minimize the possibility of extreme water damage by having all leaks resolved by a qualified plumber.
