Smart Technology Can Stop Water in Its Tracks

2017-02-07
By: Denise Koslowsky

By Denise Koslowsky

Water is your home’s #1 enemy. It flows wherever it wants to flow leaving thousands of dollars of damage in its wake. In fact, water is 10 times more likely to result in a home insurance claim than fire. The losses created by a burst pipe are devastating but even a small crack in a pipe can create a sizable amount of damage and ruin most of the items it touches. Our #1 homeowner claim at Advocate Brokerage is property damage created by a burst pipe.

What can you do to protect your home?

New smart technology solutions are changing the way that you can monitor your home and stop water in its tracks.

With smart technology, approximately 93% of all water damage can be avoided.  There are two different types of whole-house water control technology, sensor based systems and flow based systems.

• Sensor based systems rely on water sensors located primarily in high-risk locations around the building such as bathrooms, kitchens, icemakers, hot water heaters and washing machines, among others. When these sensors detect water they send a signal back to an automatic water shutoff valve installed on the incoming supply to prevent a catastrophic loss.

We recommend The WaterCop and WaterCop Pro for sensor based systems.

• Flow based systems rely on a flow-sensor and automatic water shutoff valve. This sensor and valve communicate directly with a control panel through which the user can program custom settings for flow volume and time. Any continuous flow that exceeds this combination of volume and time will trigger an alarm and turn off the water to prevent catastrophic damage.

For timer based systems, we recommend FloLogic and Leak Defense System

The best news is that when a whole-house water shut-off system is properly installed, you can qualify for substantial insurance policy discounts.

In addition to the high-tech options above, here are some practical things you can do to help prevent water leaks in your home:

• Avoid washing machine mishaps by replacing the hoses every 3 years.
• Stop tub, shower & toilet leaks by checking and replacing the grout seals around the edges.
• Keep water flowing in your dishwasher by using vinegar to prevent build up & clogs.
• Prevent costly dishwasher leaks by watching hose connections & replacing any hose that becomes worn or cracked.
• Watch the plastic hose that supplies the water in your refrigerator for leaks & replace it as soon as you spot any sign of damage.
• Be sure your water heater has a drip pan to catch water if a leak occurs.
• Have your water heater inspected every 5 years & if it is between 8 – 12 years old, it is best to replace it before you suffer a loss.
• Have a plumber conduct a yearly maintenance check of your home

 

Educating our clients about all of the options available when it comes to protecting your home is of the utmost importance to the entire team at Advocate Brokerage.  We would be happy to speak with you to help determine which smart technology option makes the most sense for your home and to help you locate resources for quotes and installation. Get in touch with us today to prevent water damage tomorrow.