October 2014
A Zurich Insurance Claim Study (2010) found that over 60% of water damage claims could have been mitigated or prevented.
Water damage is the number one source of property claims for owners of high-rise residences. Even a small leak can spread to many units and common areas.
Condo corporations and owners who do not act proactively in reducing the risk of water damage are likely to pay more in repair costs and insurance coverage.
Water damage can come from many sources such as a leaking dishwasher or washing machine, an overflowing bath tub, a faulty toilet seal, roof leak or even a fire that may set off a sprinkler system. Hidden sources of water leaks include water catch pans beneath hot water tanks. The risk of water damage increases with installation of luxury items such as steam showers, Jacuzzi spas, soaking tubs and built-in water coolers.
Once a water leak starts it travels downward and can damage many condo suites along its path. Many times water damage can be avoided.
Many household appliances are connected to a water supply by an accessible and flexible hose. This hose is often the weak point where water escapes on its way to an appliance. When the hose fails, leaking water is likely to damage the condo suite before travelling to other condo suites and common areas. Water damage is unlikely to be limited to a single suite.
Proactively reducing the risk of water damage makes sense. An easy way to minimize the likelihood of hose failure is to upgrade to a steel braided hose. A nominal investment in better quality hoses could save many thousands of dollars in future repair and insurance costs.
Another option to consider is installing a water sensor in strategic areas of the house and connecting to an alarm. When moisture is detected, an e-mail warning can be sent to a personal e-mail account. Such a system can also be configured to automatically shut down the main water supply to the suite.
