As the weather starts to warm up and the snow begins to melt, many of us go through an important yearly tradition: spring cleaning. This annual routine of decluttering, organizing and deep cleaning our homes is a great way to welcome the new season and freshen up our living spaces.
But spring cleaning isn’t just about making our homes look nice and tidy. It’s also an opportunity to tackle some important home maintenance tasks.
As a matter of fact, during spring, not only do we deal with snow melting, but we also see an increase of heavy rainfall – thereby increasing the risk of water damage to the home. So, adding home maintenance tasks to your spring-cleaning checklist can help prevent unwanted surprises. Investing time and money on home maintenance to prevent water damage is a wise investment. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada1, water damage has become one of the leading causes of property damage. It accounted for approximately 50% of all home insurance claims in the country, with an estimated cost of $2 billion.
Want more information on how to take care of your home to prevent water damage? Read more about how to be ready for thawing snow and spring showers.
Why is investing in home maintenance important?
- Prevention is cheaper than repair: Through regularly scheduled home maintenance, such as inspecting and repairing an older roof, you can avoid the much higher cost associated with repairing water damage to your home due to a leak.
- Protect your home’s value: Your home is likely one of your most valuable assets, and water damage can significantly reduce its value. By investing in maintenance, you can help protect your home’s value.
- Avoid health hazards: If not properly attended to, infiltrated water in your home may lead to the growth of mould – which can be a serious health hazard to you and your family. By being on top of your home maintenance, you can help keep your home a safe and healthy space.
Does My Home Insurance Cover Water Damage?
While a standard home insurance policy often includes some water coverage, it may not be enough. Many standard policies do not include coverage for sewer back-up or overland flooding, for example, which requires a separate endorsement added to it. We do have a dedicated water damage FAQ page where you can learn more, however we recommend taking the time to review your insurance policy and contacting one of our agents to see what your policy covers.
Get your home ready for spring… and the rest of the year
Here are some tips to help prepare the inside of your home the season:
- Make sure everyone in your house (older kids, too) knows where the main water valve is and how to shut it off. This simple action can make a difference in limiting water damage if a leak occurs.
- Rubber hoses and water lines for appliances like washing machines and dishwashers have a limited service life. Consider removing older tubes and using durable, braided metal replacements.
- Leaky taps or slow-running drains are potential warning signs of a plumbing issue that could become a bigger problem if not dealt with. Seek the help of a professional.
- Have a licensed plumber inspect your pipes for corrosion or leaks and make any necessary repairs.
- If you have a sump pump to remove excess water from your basement, ensure it is in good working order, including its drainage system.
- Install a home monitoring security system that includes water leak sensors and alarms that can alert you.
With melting snow and rain showers, springtime brings challenges that can cause significant damage to your home if not properly addressed. However, water damage can happen at any point during the year.
Head over to our article Tips to Help Prevent Your Home from Spring Flooding for a list of things that can help reduce the risk of water damage to your home.
The information that appears on this page is provided to you for informational purposes only. The wording of the actual insurance contract prevails at all times. Please consult the insurance contract for complete descriptions of coverage and exclusions. Certain conditions, exclusions and restrictions may apply.