Growing up, our family went camping almost every weekend. We’d leave after school on Friday and return Sunday afternoon. Most weekends there was never trouble and we arrived back to our home as we left it.

However, one weekend, we returned home to a huge wet spot on a wall and water all over the floor. My parents knew immediately that we had a water leak. As Dad was trying to isolate the leak, Mom was on the phone with the insurance company.

Instead of being what we would consider helpful, they began asking how long we had known about the leak and if there were any indicators. My folks were beside themselves at having to potentially pay for all of this damage.

Luckily, they were able to prove that they had no prior knowledge of the problem so the insurance company paid for the majority of the damages.

This instance doesn’t happen often, and should you face the same situation, your insurance may not cover it. We’re going to discuss how to detect a leak before it is too late and what to do when a pipe breaks. Keep reading for more information!

When to Call For Professional Leak Detection

The good thing about water leaks is that they often have several indicators before they cause a ton of damage. The key in this instance is knowing what those indicators are and contacting a professional before they worsen. Here are the easiest ways to spot a potential leak:

  • Sounds of rushing water when all water sources are off.
  • High water bills, especially if your consumption has not changed.
  • Wet spots on walls, ceilings, or floors.
  • Musty smells or visible microbial growth.

If any of these issues are present, it is time to call the Plumbing & Cooling Nerds so we can detect any potential leak before it causes major damage.

Broken Pipes Can be Prevented

Broken pipes are a real pain in the rear: a ton of water gushing into your home, belongings ruined, and water damage everywhere.

However, broken pipes can usually be prevented. Many broken pipes happen in the middle of winter when ice forms and expands inside the pipe.

Winterizing your home properly can often prevent this from happening. This will probably include allowing water to trickle, keeping cabinets open, and turning up the heat.

It’s important to know that broken pipes don’t only happen during winter. They can also happen when a pipe is completely blocked, and the water pressure becomes too great. Should you notice a slow drain or a toilet that won’t flush completely, you may be witnessing a clog.

Instead of fixing the problem yourself. Simply call us for a quick and safe solution. Last but not least: if a pipe breaks in your home, the best thing you can do is to shut off the main water. As soon as this is done, call the professionals at Plumbing & Cooling Nerds.

What Water Damage is Covered

Homeowner’s insurance policies can be convoluted and confusing. They cover some water damage but not all–how does this even make sense?

It boils down to prior knowledge and willful ignorance. If you know or suspect that there is a plumbing problem and willfully ignore it, the insurance company will figure this out and refuse your claim.

If a 10-year-old pipe were to break but there were no signs of corrosion or clogs, the insurance company will likely cover it. The easiest way around this guessing game is to take care of any known, existing problems before they create chaos.

Don’t Skip Homeowner’s Insurance!

Some people like the idea of saving a bit of money by not purchasing homeowner’s insurance.

Unfortunately, these are the same people that see devastating issues within their homes and must pay out of pocket.

Although these policies can be difficult to deal with when you’re standing in 3 inches of water and watching your belongings succumb to water damage, the money spent will pay off when it comes time to rebuild and replace.

If you suspect that you leak into your home, don’t wait for it to ‘get better,’ because it never will. Leaks only get worse over time and the only way to prevent this is to call a professional for leak detection and repair. Do you have a story about a water leak and what your insurance company did? Tell us in the comments!

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