Avoiding water damage at home

Water damage, if left untreated, may lead to mould, odour and structural problems in your home. It can result in expensive repairs and potentially reduce your home’s value. It’s important to know the common causes of water damage, and to take steps to prevent it happening.

You may not be able to prevent water damage affecting your home forever, but you can help reduce both its likelihood and severity through regular maintenance. 

Keep up with regular appliance checks

How long has it been since you last inspected your washing machine or dishwasher and their hoses for leaks and cracks? How about your air conditioner? Old or faulty appliances are notorious for causing water damage.

Inspecting appliances for wear and tear can stop a small problem from becoming a big one. Make sure to pay extra attention to hoses and connection points, and service your appliances at least once every year. 

Inspect flexi hoses

What are flexi-hoses?

Flexible braided hoses – often called flexi-hoses – are a common style of plumbing fitting. They’re made up of a rubber hose reinforced externally with stainless steel webbing, and they’re fitted with clamped stainless steel fittings on either end. You’ll probably find them in your bathroom, kitchen and laundry.

Flexi hoses are versatile and inexpensive, but they’re also a major cause of water damage because they’re not as durable as standard pipes.

They can leak or burst for a variety of reasons, including:

• Gradual wear and tear associated with ageing.
• Incorrect installation, leading to a kink or crimp in the hose.

You can reduce the risk of damage from a burst flexi-hose by checking them every few months.

The corrosion that results in burst hoses usually occurs gradually, so it’s common to see a visible spot of discolouration before the hose fails completely. If you spot this corrosion – or a plumber you’ve hired spots it – it’s time to replace your flexi-hose. 

Check for signs of mould

Water damage can sometimes go unseen – your home may have a leak without you even being aware of it. Checking for signs of mould can help you identify anything out of the ordinary. Be sure to:

• Take a good look behind your fridge, inside any cupboards in your laundry and under your sink for dampness.
• Check any areas of shelving and skirting - decay or swelling could indicate a leak.
• Look out for any signs of water stains or mould spores, especially black mould.

Aim to do a mould check at least once a year, or more frequently if:

• you live in an older home,
• you have previously experienced water damage, or
• you live in a humid climate. 

Keep your outdoor areas tidy

A little basic home maintenance – like keeping your gutters clean and trees pruned – can help you avoid water damage inside and outside your home. Your pipes may become blocked, or even break, due to leaf litter or tree roots obstructing them.

Clear gutters are especially important during storm season, so if you’re in a flood or storm-prone area, make sure they don’t pose a risk. 

Maintain the roof over your head

Your roof is your first line of defence against rain, making roof maintenance key to avoiding water damage. Safeguard your home by periodically checking the integrity of your roof and looking out for signs of rust or damaged tiles.

Stay prepared for storms, floods and natural disasters

Weather-related water damage is largely out of your control, but there are ways to minimise it’s impact. Learn how to prepare your home for storm and cyclone season and stay on the front foot. 

Make a checklist before going away

Heading off on a trip soon? Before you go, put together a basic checklist, reminding yourself to:

• Ensure all air conditioning and heating is turned off.
• Turn your water off at the mains.
• Turn off taps connected to appliances and fixtures (like your dishwasher, washing machine and toilet).
• Inspect any flexi-hoses.
• Check for mould.
• Tidy the outdoor areas.

Pop the checklist on your fridge and cross everything off before your departure. That way, you might be able to relax a little more while you’re away.

What if an incident of water damage does occur in my home?

Sometimes, even with all the right prep work, disaster still strikes. That’s why it’s important to ensure you have the right home insurance. What’s more, keeping your existing policy up to date may also help you avoid being underinsured.

Suncorp Home and Contents Insurance covers storm^{^} and flood^{#^} damage, and includes temporary accommodation if your home becomes unliveable after an insured event. For full details and exclusions, please read the Product Disclosure Statement.

Explore Home and Contents Insurance

Read more:

• When should I call a plumber?
• The financial benefit of having home and contents insurance
• How to prevent mould in your house

# Actions or movements of the sea and storm surge are not covered (unless the storm surge damage occurs at the same time as damage caused by storm). Other exclusions apply.

^ We do not insure for bushfire, storm, storm surge, flood or tsunami commencing within the first 72 hours of your policy. Very limited exceptions apply.

Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement before making a decision about this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.

The information is intended to be of general nature only. Subject to any rights you may have under any law, we do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss or damage, including loss of business or profits or any other indirect loss, incurred as a result of reliance upon the information. Please make your own enquiries.

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