(NC)—Many homeowners are surprised to hear that water
damage is the most common insurance claim. Water damage—often in the
form of a flooded basement—can come out of nowhere and cause extensive
damage to the house.
“Once homeowners understand the most common types of
insurance claims, they can take steps to guard against them,” says John
Jenner, vice-president of marketing and communications at Western
Financial Group. “Measures might include making sure their home
insurance policy covers sewer backup, installing a sump pump, having
properly installed drainage systems, or making sure that downspouts are
sending water away from their home.”
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, there
are many circumstances that can cause a flooded basement, including tree
roots growing through cracks in the waterline, overloaded stormwater
and sanitary sewer infrastructure, frozen pipes, vandals blocking lines
and more.
To keep your home safe, practice the following guidelines:
Have someone check on your house when you're away
When you leave home for more than three days, make
sure you have someone come and check the premises. A flooded basement,
leaky pipe, or a broken window can be devastating if it is not
discovered immediately.
Keep drains clear
It may seem simple, but many homeowners need to be
reminded to keep their basement drains clear of obstructions. That means
moving large objects such as furniture and making sure the drain is not
sitting under a layer of dirt or debris. In older houses, drains may
need to be snaked to ensure they can do their job properly.
Install a sump pump and backflow valves
This will greatly reduce the frequency and severity
of basement flooding. Backflow valves or plugs can be installed on
drains, toilets and other sewer connections to prevent water from
entering the home.
Move items that are in flooding prone areas
The 10 minutes spent on inspecting your home for
items that are in flooding prone areas could save hours later. Make sure
you store important documents and irreplaceable personal items where
they will not be damaged.
“It is important for homeowners to go over their
insurance policy yearly with a representative,” adds Jenner. “This will
make sure you have the coverage you need.”
www.newscanada.com
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