Unseen water damage can cause some serious issues to your house or property. This type of damage isn’t discussed as much as more common types of issues (like floods or burst pipes), but can be just as devastating to you possessions and property.
The most common culprit behind hidden water damage are household appliances. These usual suspects pose a threat to your property if they are left undetected and unattended. The list of appliances we will be discussing are as follows: refrigerators, washing machines, dish washers, air conditioners, and hot water heaters. Through this article, you will learn why these types of appliances are typically to blame for costly repairs and how you can prevent those costly bills!
Refrigerators
Whether you have a built-in ice cube making machine or not, these appliances are usually to blame for water damage in kitchens. One way to prevent this from happening is to pull them away from the walls to check the flooring and the water lines behind them; water lines are usually tangled and all over the place, so trying to avoid the cluttering of these lines should be essential to avoiding water damage.
Washing Machines
It goes without saying that these appliances typically use A LOT of water; so it is understandable that common forms of water damage can be attributed to these appliances. As with the refrigerators, it is recommended to check behind washing machines to check for any leaks or problems with the hoses.
It is also recommended to replace the hoses every 5 years to avoid any issues/unforeseen repairs.
Dish Washers
As with most of the other types of appliances in this series, one of the main reasons that hidden water damage is such a factor is because they are never moved and checked regularly! These appliances require a large amount of water and left unattended could cause serious damage.
We also want to reiterate that some insurance companies do not cover dishwasher related claims, so making sure to cover all the stops could save you a headache in the future!
Air Conditioners
Mostly all air conditioners have implementations that remove moisture as the machine runs, but any issues with these designs could allow water damage to occur. Make sure to follow all of the company’s guidelines and to check regularly for leaks.
Hot Water Heaters
The biggest hope we have for our hot water heaters is that they don’t blow and last for upwards of 20 years. Seems like a stretch, but making sure the external components do not begin leaking and that the seals and pipes still look good should help allow that to happen!
Keeping an eye on these appliances and performing regular check-ups and maintenance are a great way to mitigate the dangers of unseen water damage.
A version of this article originally appeared on the SERVPRO of Upper Bucks, Germantown, Pennypack / Bustleton website and is used by permission.
About Servpro
SERVPRO of Upper Bucks understands the stress and worry associated with a fire or water damage as well as the disruption these damages cause in your life, home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption and stress to your life by quickly making it, “Like it never even happened.” Learn more at: www.servproupperbucks.com.
Contact
Contact Director of Marketing Robyn Colajezzi at 267.227.0748 or email robyn@148response.com.
