Common Causes of Water Damage and How to Avoid Them
Water damage, also known as ‘escape of water’ is one of the most common and costly issues faced by homeowners and building managers. Every year, water damage affects millions of homes and businesses, causing billions in damages and repairs. With the recent cold snap in December of last year, the UK insurance industry is still reeling from the effects of the frozen pipes that caused widespread water damage. In fact, we noted a significant surge in burst pipe claims following the cold snap and thought it would be great to share critical information on some of the common causes of water damage and what you can do to avoid them.
What’s water damage/escape of water?
“Escape of water" and "water damage" refer to the same thing when it comes to insurance claims. Both terms describe the situation where water has leaked or spilled, resulting in damage to the surrounding area. Water damage can be caused by various sources such as burst pipes, overflowing blocked toilet and leaking dishwasher.
Insurance companies typically describe "escape of water" as the unintentional or sudden release of water from a fixed plumbing supply or water apparatus, resulting in damage to the insured property.
Is water damage covered by contents or buildings insurance?
In the UK, cover for escape of water under buildings insurance and contents insurance depends on the policy and the circumstances of the damage.
Buildings insurance typically covers damage to the structure of a building, including damage caused by escape of water from the fixed water and heating systems, but not from external sources such as rainwater. So if a pipe in your home bursts and causes damage to your walls, flooring, or ceiling, buildings insurance would typically cover the cost of repairs.
Contents insurance, on the other hand, typically covers the contents of your home, such as furniture, clothing, and electronics. If an escape of water damages your contents, contents insurance would typically cover the cost of repair or replacement.
It's important to check the terms and conditions of your specific insurance policy to determine what is covered in the event of an escape of water. Some policies may have exclusions or restrictions in relation to escape of water, particularly if your property is going to be unoccupied, so it's a good idea to review your policy regularly to ensure that you have the protection you need[JG1] .
What’s covered by water damage cover?
Escape of water incidents are commonly insured against by most building and contents insurance policies, providing the cause is sudden and unforeseen. For most insurance companies in the UK, escape of water coverage is defined as a leak from the main water source. However, it's important to note that not all forms of water damage are covered. Water damage cover only provides protection for water that has escaped from:
- Household appliances
- Fixed water tanks
- Central heating systems that are in a fixed position
- Fixed pipes that transport water.
Common causes of water damage and what’s covered by most insurers in the UK include:
- Burst pipes
- Blocked toilets
- Leaking washing machines
- Shower or bath (but not where the silicone sealant has perished)
- Radiators
- Water tanks
- Boilers
- Leaking dish washers
What’s not covered?
- Damage to drains and pipes
- Overflow from taps left running
- Defective, broken or insufficient grout or sealant
- Escaped water from above-ground external pipes
- Unprotected pipes or plumbing
- Infill material settling, swelling, or shrinking causing damage to solid floors
- Subsidence, heave, or landslip
- Unfurnished or unoccupied homes[JG2] (unless an unoccupied policy has been purchased and the T&C’s has been adhered to)
How can I prevent ‘escape of water’ happening in my house?
You definitely don’t want to experience water damage in your property since the cost of repairs and potential loss of belongings can be substantial – so it's important to take steps to prevent this from happening. Here are some ways you can help prevent an escape of water in your property:
- Regular maintenance: Regular maintenance of pipes and appliances can help to prevent an escape of water. This includes checking for leaks, corrosion, and wear and tear. Ensure that pipes are properly fitted and tightened, and that any damaged pipes are replaced. Have your appliances serviced and checked regularly by a qualified technician.
- Insulate pipes: Insulating pipes can help to prevent them from freezing in cold weather, which can cause them to burst and result in an escape of water. You can purchase foam pipe insulation from a hardware store and fit it yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
- Install water alarms: Water alarms can help detect an escape of water early, allowing you to take action before significant damage is done. These alarms can be purchased from a hardware store and are simple to install.
- Know the location of your stopcock: The stopcock is a valve that controls the flow of water into your property. In the event of an escape of water, you should know where the stopcock is located so that you can quickly turn off the water supply.
- Check your insurance policy: Make sure that your insurance policy covers you in the event of an escape of water. Some insurance policies only cover damage caused by specific events, so it's important to understand your policy.
- Before plunging your drill into the wall during any DIY or drilling projects, it is crucial to be aware of the whereabouts of water pipes. Utilize a stud finder to assist in pinpointing their location.
- When departing your property for an extended period, it is recommended to either turn off the water supply and drain down, provided it is safe and feasible to do so. Or alternatively, set your central heating thermostat to maintain at least 12 degrees. This will help prevent any unwanted events from occurring during your absence.
- When it comes to your drains, be mindful of what you dispose of down them. If you suspect a blockage, make a habit of regularly cleaning your drains to keep them flowing smoothly. From cooking oils and fats to produce stickers, baby wipes, sanitary products, and hair, these seemingly harmless substances can quickly accumulate and cause clogs in your drains and toilets.
- Entrust the installation of any new plumbing-dependent appliances to the expertise of a professional. This will ensure proper and safe installation, saving you time, hassle and potential complications.
By taking these steps, you can help prevent an escape of water from happening in your property. However, if you do experience an escape of water, it's important to act quickly to minimize the damage and keep your family safe.
Frozen Pipes
As earlier stated, frozen pipes can be common during the chilly months. The freeze and expansion of water within pipes can lead to a burst pipe. To avoid such a calamity from occurring this winter, here are a few preventive measures to take:
One key task is to locate your main stopcock and confirm that it's in good working order. Additionally, fixing any leaky taps will reduce the risk of water freezing and causing problems. To further safeguard against freezing, ensure that all pipes and tanks in potentially cold areas, such as your loft, are thoroughly insulated.
Planning to leave your property unoccupied during the winter months? Do this:
If you plan to leave your property unoccupied during the winter months, it's important to take the necessary precautions to prevent any issues from arising.
- Set your central heating thermostat to maintain at least 12 degrees. In the event of extremely cold weather or a forecast for such, it's recommended to keep the heating on at your usual temperature setting both day and night.
- Consider opening the loft access hatch. Doing this will allow warm air to circulate and prevent pipes from freezing.
- Ask a trusted friend or relative to check on your home daily while you're away, so that any potential problems, such as a burst pipe, can be promptly detected and the damage minimized.
In case you find your pipes frozen, do this:
If you find that your pipes have frozen, the first step is to turn off the water supply at the stopcock and use a hairdryer or hot water bottle to carefully thaw the pipes. In the event of a burst pipe, it's crucial to shut off the water at the main stopcock, turn off your central heating and any water heating systems, and open all taps to fully drain the system. Once that is done, it's important to have professional repairs carried out before turning any systems back on. And lastly, don't forget to reach out to your insurance company's helpline for assistance.
If I notice a leak or burst pipe, what is the insurance claim process?
In the unfortunate event of damage to your property or its contents, the initial course of action is to quickly turn off the stopcock to minimize the damage. Then, get in touch with your insurer, who may have 24/7 helpline services available. If you purchased your insurance through a broker, contact them first. Your insurer may then arrange for a loss adjuster to assess the damage and they might be able to help you to plan the restoration process, however it is important to note that not all insurance companies will offer this service and you may need to source companies to handle the repairs and then deal with restoration process yourself. After a major cold snap, the loss adjuster may take longer than 24 hours to get in touch due to the high volume of claims, so it’s important to discuss with the loss adjuster's what action you can take to mitigate your loss and help move the process along.
[JG1]Should we say particularly if your property is going to be unoccupied and put a link to the other article here?
[JG2]Unless an unoccupied policy has been purchased and the t&c’s has been adhered to