Insurance companies are generally a pain in the neck. It doesn’t really matter if you’re dealing with car insurance, health insurance, or home insurance–it always seems like you pay your bill and never ends up with the return you want. Case in point:
I noticed that our water bill was much higher than usual. I paid the amount and went on about my day. A few weeks after this, I noticed a huge water stain on the wall and called a plumber. It turned out that there was a leak that had damaged the drywall, part of the structure, and even some of my paintings.
The insurance company said that they would not cover any of the damage because I had ‘warning’ of the water leak. Had I known that a high water bill was indicative of a leak, I would have fixed it!
When to Call a Professional
Part of knowing to call a professional is knowing the signs that a leak may be present. Unfortunately, this information isn’t always abundantly clear and can be missed by new homeowners. Here are a few of the surest signs of a leak:
Rising water bills- Sounds of rushing water
- Musty smells, even in a newer home
- Visible mold
- Sagging ceilings
- Water stains on the wall
- Unexplained puddles of water on the floor
As you can see, there are several signs that you might have a water leak. However, if you are only noticing one of these issues, still make the call for professional leak detection. Always remember that a leak will never get better on its own–only worse.
How to Handle a Broken Pipe
Many people’s worst fear when it comes to their home is a broken or burst pipe. Believe it or not, this emergency is not exclusive to freezing temperatures and can occur when there is a severe blockage in a pipe. As the blockage worsens, the water pressure constantly builds until the pipe cannot withstand it.
At this moment, the pipe will break and you will need to jump into action. The absolute first thing you must do is stop the gushing water. This can be done at the water shutoff valve. Next, call Towers Plumbing no matter the time of day or night. Finally, let your homeowner’s insurance agent know what happened and find out if there is a particular service provider they prefer for water damage restoration.
What Water Damage is Covered by Insurance?
There is no hard and fast rule about what water damage is covered by insurance. However, a good rule of thumb to stick with is ‘ignorance is not an excuse.’
Ignorance can include choosing to not take the necessary measures to prevent damage or truly not being aware of a problem.
Either way, if the insurance company determines you should have known about and done something to prevent damage, they will likely not cover the needed repairs.
Homeowner’s Insurance: Not The Insurance to Skip
Although you may feel like many types of insurance are unnecessary or even excessive, homeowner’s insurance should never fall into those categories.
When you responsibly maintain your home as well as a homeowner’s policy, you will never have to worry about having to cover structural water damage or replacing belongings.
If you feel like you may have a water leak or be at risk for a broken pipe, don’t wait to find out if the problem worsens. Call Towers Plumbing for electronic leak detection that may just save you a ton of headache and hassle.
We hope you’ve never had to deal with major water damage to your home, but if you have, we want to hear about it! Tell us your story in the comments!