Guides / Inside the house
Plumbing and water damage prevention
Water damage is one of the most frequent home insurance claims in the US. The good news is that most of it can be prevented or limited with a little preparation.
What to check
- Main shutoff
- Find your main water shutoff valve, make sure everyone in the house knows where it is, and turn it a little once a year so it does not seize.
- Under sinks
- Look in cabinets under sinks for damp spots, stains or drips. Put a small leak sensor under the kitchen sink and behind the washing machine.
- Toilets
- Check that toilets do not run or rock. A drop of food coloring in the tank that shows up in the bowl without flushing means a leaking flapper.
- Water meter test
- With no water running, note the meter reading and check again in an hour or two. A change can mean a hidden leak.
- Freeze protection
- Disconnect hoses before the first freeze, insulate pipes in unheated spaces, and keep the heat on when you are away in winter.
- Sump pump
- If you have one, pour water in the pit to make sure it switches on and pumps out. Consider a battery backup.
When to do it
Spring: sump pump and outdoor faucets. Fall: hose disconnects and pipe insulation. Monthly: under-sink check.
Call a licensed professional for
- Frozen or burst pipes
- Sewer backups or slow drains throughout the house
- Low water pressure everywhere or a meter that moves with everything off
This guide is general information for US homeowners. Codes, climates and houses vary. It is not a substitute for an inspection or advice from a licensed contractor, and in an emergency call 911.