Preventing Water Damage From Leaking Appliances

3/16/2021 (Permalink)

When appliances leak and cause water damage in Connecticut, SERVPRO of Meriden can help.

Many homeowners don’t realize the high possibility of water damage caused by leaking appliances in their central Connecticut home. Essentially any appliance that uses water significantly increases your risk for indoor flood damage and subsequent mold growth. 

As a professional water damage company, we have seen a great deal of damage caused by appliances in homes and businesses across Connecticut. Here, we will review which appliances are most likely to cause flooding, the best way to prevent appliance leaks, and times where water damage caused by appliances should be covered by your insurance company.  

Hot Water Heater

If you’ve recently moved into a new home - be sure to check the date of installation on your hot water heater. The average water heater has a lifespan of only 8 to 15 years, and 75% fail before they even hit the 12 year mark. Since water heaters can hold anywhere from 40 to 120 gallons of water, a water heater failure can cause serious flooding inside of your Connecticut home

Common causes of water heater failure include: 

• Loose drain valve
• Too much pressure in the tank can cause it to burst or crack
• Old tanks can naturally deteriorate and leak
• Too much sediment in the tank
• Corroded anode rod

Washing Machine

When you overload your washing machine or the water supply hose detaches from the machine, gallons of water can seep into flooring, ceilings, walls, and even make it all the way down to your basement. Even though the average washing machine only uses 19 gallons of water per load, this amount of water can spell serious trouble when it gets under flooring or behind walls. 

The most common cause of washing machine water damage is a failed water supply hose, which needs to be replaced about every 7 years to prevent a failure. 

Refrigerator

While not as common as other appliances, your refrigerator can leak water for a wide variety of reasons. Water filter or ice maker supply lines can be installed incorrectly or be punctured and cause it to leak for weeks before anyone even realizes. If your defrost drain is faulty or becomes clogged, it can also cause water to leak all over your kitchen floor and reach the subfloor below. 

Dishwasher

Dishwashers may not hold as much water as other household appliances, but they can still cause a significant amount of damage to your home. When they leak on to the floor, water can quickly seep underneath it and into the rooms below. 

Causes of dishwasher leaks include:

• Leaking dishwasher door
• Leaking or cracked tub
• Loose or cracked water hoses or clamps
• Using the incorrect or too much detergent

Air Conditioner

When air conditioners or air handlers leak water, most homeowners don’t notice the leak right away. Depending on the location of your air conditioning unit in your home, you may not notice any signs of water damage until the problem has already become widespread. 

The most common causes of an air conditioner leaking include:

• Clogged or disconnected drain
• Dirty condensate pump
• Clogged air filter
• Dirty evaporator coil
• Cracked drain pan
• Low refrigerant
• Condensation buildup within ductwork

Preventing Water Damage From Leaking Appliances

When you take steps to perform regular maintenance and visual inspections around your home in Central Connecticut, water damage caused by leaking appliances is more likely to be avoided. 

1.  Inspect Water Supply Lines  

You should keep a monthly schedule to perform visual inspections of all water supply lines in your home. This simple task can help you identify any signs of clogged, damaged, or deteriorating water lines before they begin to leak and cause damage to your home, and doesn’t even need the help of a professional.

2.  Keep Track of When Supply Line Hoses Should Be Replaced

In addition to performing visual inspections, you should replace all water hoses before the average time that they are expected to fail. 

3.  Have Your Water Heater Inspected Once Per Year 

Over time, sediment and other debris can build up in your hot water heater which can cause the appliance to malfunction and leak. You can follow the manufacturer's directions to flush out the heater tank yourself or call a local plumber. It may be best to have a professional inspect your water heater, as there may be internal elements that you can’t inspect yourself. 

4.  Have Your HVAC System Serviced Once Per Year 

Since HVAC systems are more complex than other appliances in your home, it can be harder to tell based on visual inspections if something is wrong. Having your system inspected by an HVAC professional once per year can help prevent air conditioner leaks and water damage.

5.  Follow All Manufacturer Guidelines

You can help prevent water damage from washing machines or dishwashers by simply using the correct detergents and not overloading the appliances, as these are major causes of their failures.

Is Water Damage Caused By Leaking Appliances Covered By Insurance?

Luckily for most homeowners, your insurance company should cover water damage caused by appliances. Most damages are covered by your insurance policy when caused by sudden and unforeseen water damage, meaning that you weren’t neglecting needed repairs or the water leak altogether. If you let your dishwasher leak every time you used it for months - your insurance company may not cover the cost of damage restoration.

In a similar vein, if your insurance adjuster determines that the damages to your home could’ve been prevented by performing regular maintenance, your claim will be denied. Claims for leaking appliances can be complicated if it isn’t clear the leak occurred suddenly and unexpectedly. 

Times when your claim should be covered include:

• Hot water heater leak or burst
• Washing machine overflow
• HVAC leaks
• Dishwasher leaks
• Ice maker line leaks

Need Help With Appliance Leaks and Water Damage in Central Connecticut? We Can Help!

SERVPRO of Meriden is your local water damage restoration company serving all of Connecticut. With over 15 years of experience, our team has restored countless homes and businesses after appliance water damage.

• 24/7 Emergency Response
• We Handle The Insurance Process For You
• Free Water Damage Estimates
• IICRC Certified Technicians

Call Us Today For Immediate Assistance - 800-734-3213