Water damage is one of the most common property issues residents of South Florida gets throughout the year. Whether caused by plumbing problems or extreme weather conditions, repairing your house to a pre-loss condition after a flood can be quite challenging. In this post, we will talk about the most common causes of water damage in the sunshine state and how to prevent them.
Almost 1 of every ten residents of South Florida gets water damage to their property at least once every five years. Although you could avoid this with the proper safety measures. Whether caused by a plumbing problem or a faulty appliance, water damage-related issues are quite expensive to repair. Hence, it is vital to be aware of the hazards, and constantly run maintenance on our appliances and installations.
But, statistically, what are the leading causes of floods in the sunshine state? According to data shared by insurance carriers, five primary issues are the main triggers for 90% of water damage-related problems in Florida. In this post, we will tell you all about them and how to prevent inundations on your property by conducting checkups every once in a while.
- Broken Pipes: Do you close your house’s water supply when you go on vacation? Well… you should. Broken pipes are one of Florida’s leading causes of severe water damage. Water pressure changes and old pipes can be the triggers. Always keep an eye on this and hire a plumber to check your water installations regularly. You will thank them later.
- Blocked Gutters: In Florida, gutters are vital. The tropical weather that we endure comes with heavy rain and storms. The gutter systems are there to drain the water coming from storms. Nevertheless, they get clogged every once in a while because of debris, leaves, or other materials. If you don’t clean them regularly, the water won’t drain. Instead, it will overflow, creating rivers that could run down your house. So be careful and periodically check your gutter system.
- Leaks from washing machine and other appliances: Your dishwasher and washing machine are connected to a water supply which can break and eventually generate a big flood in your house. If that happens, you have to cut the water supply line immediately. We recommend regularly checking the status of the supply lines, especially if you have a PVC pipe; these tend to break over time.
- Condensation in the AC ducts: When the AC ducts are not insulated correctly, leaks appear, generating moisture within the walls. This is particularly tricky because you may not be able to notice it until mold starts to grow and stains become visible on your walls. This problem can be caused by various circumstances, such as rodents biting the ducts, bad installations, or even lack of maintenance.
- Hurricanes and severe storms: Florida is well known for its sunny skies and beautiful beaches, but extreme tropical storms, heavy rain, and even hurricanes are also characteristics of the sunshine state. When they happen, chances are that you could get some pretty severe water damage to your house. That is why it is essential to have an active home insurance policy.
As you can see, a wide variety of problems can cause water damage. Though some of these are inevitable, most can be prevented by regularly checking installations and appliances as well as following simple safety measurements. Nevertheless, if you live in Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, or other sunny Florida cities, it is essential to have your home insurance policies handy, so that when a storm hits, you’re prepared to deal with it without hurting your family finances.
