How Appliances In Your Home Can Lead to Hidden Water Damage

1/13/2020 (Permalink)

Home appliances need to be checked more than once a year to avoid hidden water damages!

Water damage in your New Paltz home is never a fun or even pleasant experience but discovering hidden damage can bring another layer of frustration.

Appliances are some of the most common causes of water damage—they are often in areas of the home not noticed, or larger ones like refrigerator and dishwashers are rarely moved, so discovering damage can be difficult and often not until there’s a leak. Thankfully, through home check-ups, you can can stop this from getting out of hand.

Perform Regular Checks on Appliances

Unless you’re already noticing problems, it’s smart to check these appliances at least every 6 months.

Hot Water Heaters-

A hot water heater will generally last between 8-12 years, but premature leaks are not uncommon from its pipes and seals. If you’re noticing diminished performance, standing or dripping water or other signs of water damage, call a plumber or heating professional as soon as possible. When a hot water heater bursts, it can release a large amount of water that will affect more than the room it’s in.

Refrigerators-

Refrigerators are rarely moved, this means water damage can occur under and behind them long enough to become severe before it is even noticed. As part of your regular home maintenance schedule, move the refrigerator away from the wall to look for any dark or soft spots with the wood, and test the water dispenser and direct water line to watch for any drips.

Dishwashers-

Dishwashers pose an even higher risk and are moved about as irregularly as a refrigerator is. Dishwashers require gallons of water when they run and their leaks can be costlier and more severe as they can affect many rooms and levels of your home, checking them as often or more than you check the fridge is warranted. Give your insurance agent a call to make sure you’re clear if dishwashers are or are not covered by your homeowners policy.

Washing Machines-

Washing machine hoses are some of the most common sources of leaks. As these hoses are notorious for this, we recommended that they are inspected at least once a month by homeowners so you can be sure you’re not in for a nasty surprise. It’s also a good idea to fully replace the hoses every five years in order to prevent hidden deterioration.

Air Conditioners-

Air conditioners contain a drain that is designed to handle any accumulated condensation that occurs when the unit is operating. However, issues to this system can create hidden water damage quickly, as the water can pool inside the unit and can cause damage to surrounding structures. The manufacturer’s maintenance schedule is the best defense against this—stick to it to be made aware of any issues before they start to cause serious problems.

If you’ve suffered water damage for any reason or you’d like to put a plan in place in case it happens to you, contact us to learn how we can help. We’re ready to help 24/7 for all emergencies!