Home water damage can come from many different sources, such as, river floods, and broken pipes. I will focus on the top three water damage sources that I see and how to prevent them.

The average hot water heater has a life of between 8 and 10 years. Yes, some last much longer but is it worth taking a risk on flood damage from a faulty heater? Many factors affect the life of a water heater. Replace your water heaters when they reach 10-12 years old. Buy the best quality. Also, consider putting a pan under the hot water heater that will catch any leaks with a drain pipe directed to a floor drain. Flush out your heater once a year. With a permanent marker write the installation date on your hot water heater; it will remind you how old it is.

The hot and cold water hoses that supply the washer are the two weak points. If you still have the black hoses that came with the washer when it was new and they are more than 3 years old, it is time to replace them. We suggest you replace them with the high pressure, steel-braided type: they should be good for 5-6 years. Tag them with a replacement date, then you will know when to switch them out. You can also purchase catch pans that can go under the washer to catch any leaks. Braided hoses and catch pans can be purchased at almost any hardware store.

Pipes that have split from frozen water are very common in cold temperature climates. Never leave your garden hose attached to your outside water spigot in cold weather—with the water turned on or off. With the garden hoses disconnected you should put a cover over the water spigot. Most hardware stores carry spigot covers. All lawn sprinkler systems should be turned off, drained, and blown out when the watering season is over.

Focus on these three points and you will greatly reduce your chances of a home water damage emergency. If you do experience water damage, call Gary or Brent at 815-399-8690 for suggestions on how to initiate repair and restoration.