Stay Ahead of Appliance Water Leaks

/ TCI Blog / By

Appliances are a common source for water leaks. If neglected, a failing appliance with a water leak could cost you thousands of dollars in damage. So what can you do?

Start by doing a simple inspection for appliance water leaks once a year. It should only take a few minutes to inspect your water-related appliances for worn or damaged hoses. If you do encounter anything that looks suspect, be sure to replace them before they become a major water damage problem. You can also install water detection devices around your home, which will set of an alarm if the sensors pick up moisture. These are typically battery-operated, fairly inexpensive, and easy to install.

Here is a helpful list of The 5 Leaky Time Bombs Waiting to Flood Your Home:

Hot Water Heater
  • About 75% of tank water heaters fail by the time they are 12 years old
  • 70% of water heater failures are from leaks or burst tanks
  • Average damage from a water heater failure is $4,000
Refrigerator
  • Icemakers are the primary cause for water leaks in a refrigerator
  • The life expectancy of an ice maker is less than that of the refrigerator, as low as 5 years
Dishwasher
  •  Dishwashers usually fail when they are 10-12 years old
  • Flooding damage from a dishwasher leak can be more than $5,000
Washing Machine
  •  More than half of all water damage are due to broken washing machine hoses
  • Damages average more than $6,000
Air Conditioner
  •  Attic air conditioners can cause the most damage because water can leak throughout the entire home
  • Average loss from flooding caused by a leaky air conditioner is $5,000

Another way to be proactive and detect potential leaks is by turning off your main water valve, then check the water meter outside your home. Is it still moving? If so, water is flowing somewhere and it’s time to investigate. With a little bit of effort, you can prevent or catch these minor water leaks before they turn into a big problem.

Source: Safeco and Rainbow International Restoration

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