Escape of water is one of the most common causes of home insurance claims and can cause a huge inconvenience to tenants and home owners. Flats are a higher risk than other types of accommodation as one leak could affect many flats on multiple floors of the building.
Whilst every precaution may be taken in an individual flat, escape of water in the flat above could have equally devastating consequences on the ones below. Alternative accommodation may need to be sought whilst repairs are undertaken, which can take up to several months to complete.
It’s vitally important to spot any damage promptly and to minimise the damage. A number of factors can have a direct impact on the risk of an escape of water loss happening, and the first step in prevention is to understand where the risks lie.
The most common causes of escape of water in residential properties are:
- Accidental damage to pipes
- Frozen pipes
- Leaking domestic appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers
- Leaking pipes
- Leaking water tanks
- Overflowing baths
Things you can do to prevent water leaks and reduce the risk of damage:
- Signs of damp from appliances, radiators or pipes should be investigated
- Add sealant around shower trays and bathroom fittings
- Hoses to washing machines, dishwashers and other appliances should be checked regularly as vibrations can work connections loose
- Pipes and drains must be free from blockages, to avoid overflow
- Washers should be replaced regularly to prevent dripping taps
- Boilers should be serviced regularly by a qualified heating engineer
- When opening taps to test the system remember to turn them back off to prevent a water surge when the issue is repaired.
Everyone in the flat know should where the stop tap (stop cock) is and, more importantly, how to operate it.
Smart water detectors and water cut off devices are available that can spot even the smallest change in your water consumption and alert you to the issue.
Older properties can present a problem as plastic parts can become brittle or corrode. Additionally older buildings are less effective at preventing a leak.
If away over the winter months keep the heating on continuously at 10ºC to ensure that the temperature will not fall below this level.
To find out more about property and landlords insurance please click here or call 020 7929 0108.
