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Author:
ARA

(ARA) - While most homeowners have nightmares about natural disasters such as tornados, hurricanes and hail damaging their house, it tends to be the more mundane occurrences like undetected leaks and burst pipes that are the most common cause of water damage to personal property.

“On average, almost three-fourths of our home water-loss claims each year are caused by an appliance people use every day, such as a washing machine, water heater or refrigerator,” says Georgie Anderson, Safeco claims adjuster. “I vividly remember a recent incident where the homeowner put a load of laundry in her new front-loading washing machine and then left for a soccer tournament. When she returned hours later, she discovered that although the door had popped open mid-cycle, the washing machine had continued to run all day, spouting untold gallons of water into the laundry room and surrounding area.”

The good news is that taking a few easy steps now can prevent a lot of trouble and expense later. Anderson points out that many common water problems are easily avoidable with simple maintenance. “Spending just $10 on a new hose for the washing machine can prevent thousands of dollars in property damage.”

Homeowners who experience water damage might be surprised to find out how expensive ignoring routine maintenance can be. Some find their insurance doesn’t cover the damage and they’re left with the bill. “Most policies don’t cover damage caused by poor maintenance or neglect,” says Jim Arciere, vice president of Safeco Claims. Even with a covered loss, the homeowner still needs to pay the policy’s deductible and deal with the hassle of cleanup and repair.

To help homeowners pinpoint possible problem areas in their homes, Safeco is launching an interactive, Web-based guide to water damage prevention that outlines easy steps that can help avoid costly water losses and repairs. The “Drip” site, found at www.safeco.com/drip, includes a room-by-room house tour highlighting potential trouble spots. The site also provides other important information, such as steps to take in the event of a water emergency; tips for deciding which repairs are do-it-yourself and which should be left to a professional; and a review of water damage that insurance typically does and does not cover.

Here are a few tips from “Preventing Water Damage in Your Home:”

* Regularly look for wear, cracks and bulges in washing machines hoses; replace rubber hoses with reinforced steel-braided hoses.

* Repair failed seals and cracked tiles or grout on bathtub and shower stalls.

* Check roof on a regular basis, especially after a storm; replace worn, curled or missing shingles.

* Check for leaks in icemaker supply line and replace immediately.

* When leaving home for an extended period of time, don’t leave any water-using appliances running and consider turning off their water supply.

For more useful tips on how to keep your home safe from water damage, visit www.safeco.com/drip.

Courtesy of ARA Content



EDITOR’S NOTE: Safeco, in business since 1923, is a Fortune 500 company that sells auto, home, life and small-business insurance and investment products through independent agents, brokers and financial advisors nationwide. The company’s mission is to make the experience of buying, selling and owning insurance easier than anyone else. More information about Safeco can be found at www.safeco.com.

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Courtesy of ARA Content

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A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Water Damage... Water-Flood Damage Information and Tips Water and Flood Damage Information For Your Property Water damages requires immediate attention to minimize further losses. In case a water damage occurs in your home or property try to locate the problem. By doing so you can help prevent further damages. Examples are turning off the water line for faucet,washing machine or dishwasher.Call a plumber to report a leak for service and report the damage to your Insurance Company. Your insurance adjusters will guide you through the process and will give you advices on what to do. Then move Items in advance such as furnitures, boxes, clothes, beds, etc. to a room which is unaffected. The basic idea here is to Move and Protect your personal belongings and documents. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. "Allow molds to grow on home and or a building, materials that are soaked wet for more than 24 hours, and in "48 hours of wetness, the deadly toxic mold Stachybotrys can begin growing in the damaged areas." This is a fact and documented by mold experts. Water Damage Tips *Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping the area or using a wet/dry vacuum. *Wipe as much excess water from wood furniture as you can and remove tabletop lamps and other items from the furniture. *Turn the air conditioning on for maximum drying in the summer and open the windows in the winter to release trapped for an improved indoor air quality. *Remove any artwork and paintings from the walls if affected. *Remove any area rugs from the floor and hang to dry outside or inside. *Remove wet upholstery cushions from the frame and prop them up to dry immediately. *Place plastic or aluminum foil under any furniture legs that are not plastic...