Examples of water damage cases
In an old house, both water and sewage pipes have corroded and start to leak. This may also happen with an old heating water pipe which has been taken out of use but has not been emptied of water. This kind of damage may be particularly difficult in old houses with a so-called double floor that is typically filled with sawdust. Due to age deductions and exclusions in insurance coverage, at least part of the costs fall upon the customer.
A resident removed air from water-circulation radiators. Since only air seemed to come out of the radiator, the resident forgot to close the air vent. Later on, however, water started to flow from the radiator to the floor, damaging, for example, a parquet floor.
A resident switched on the dishwasher when he was about to leave for a holiday on the Canary Islands. Water damage occurred by the time he reached the airport.
A resident came home in the small hours, decided to take a warm shower and fell asleep on top of the floor drain during his shower. When the caretaker woke him up in the morning, there was water not only on the bathroom floor but also in the hall, staircase and downstairs. Depending on the building structures, the costs may arise to EUR 20,000–50,000.
Water damage can be prevented, and it pays to do so
Preventing the last-mentioned type of damage would require equipping the shower with an alcohol lock. Seriously speaking, water damage often results from human action. Useful instructions for preventing water and moisture damage can be found from, for instance, safety regulations issued by insurance companies. In this connection, we would like to draw your attention to a few central, topical matters.
Arrange pipe renovation in time
Good property maintenance involves that the condition of the pipe is also monitored. When the pipe is ageing, pipe condition surveys should be performed to see how the situation is developing. Conclusions should also be drawn from the number of water damage occurrences. When it is time for a pipe renovation, this should be planned well in advance, and information should be provided to the residents. In addition to pipes, the roof, facing and sanitary facilities must be monitored and, when necessary, maintained and repaired in good time in order to reduce water and moisture damage.
Piping renovation methods
Piping renovation methods have developed considerably over the years. In traditional piping renovations, old pipes are removed and replaced with new ones. This involves opening the building structures. In the same connection, waterproofing in sanitary facilities can be repaired, which normally means that the residents must move out temporarily.
Today, piping and sewage system repairs can also be performed without opening the structures. For example, in blocks of flats, the so-called DaKKI method can be used. This means that the pipes are cleaned by grinding and then pressure flushed. After this, the inside of the pipe is coated with epoxy mass that creates a smooth epoxy lining. The so-called close-fit relining method is mainly used to repair external sewers. Epoxy lining and close-fit relining are excellent repair methods that provide numerous advantages over traditional piping renovations: they are quick and economic, and residents do not have to move out for the repair. They are most suitable for houses where, for example, a large number of bathrooms have been renovated since these would be destroyed if structures needed to be opened. However, these methods do not replace traditional, more extensive piping renovations that often include the renovation of sanitary facilities.
Household appliances
Water damage is typically caused by a household appliance that uses water. The average insurance compensation in these cases is approximately EUR 3,000–4,000. Water damage always causes inconvenience to residents. It is worthwhile to familiarise yourself with the safety regulations attached to your home insurance since they are intended for preventing or limiting the damage. With respect to dishwashers, remember the following:
- Do not leave the dishwasher on unattended and close the valve after the wash.
- Check the dishwasher hose regularly. The hose or joint may burst when you are at work or on a long trip, after which water will flow into your flat and that of your neighbour, in the worst case, as long as the local water supply plant feeds it.
- For rapid water damage detection we recommend an inexpensive, plastic safety container that is placed under refrigeration equipment and the dishwasher. This can be equipped with an indicator that will sound an alarm in the event of water damage.
- When buying a new dishwasher, choose a model that is equipped with a so-called water-stop system that protects from leakage and hose damage and gives an alarm if necessary.
Anssi Varpe, If
Pentti Kautto, Inspecta
