water leak - Blue Ribbon Plumbing

Sue White Aug 29, 2023Jan 17, 2024

Are Plumbing and Pipe Leaks Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

A homeowners insurance policy should cover any unexpected and sudden water damage brought on by a plumbing problem. The majority of home insurance coverage does not include home damage caused by

constant and slow leaks
damage that occurred because of flooding.

Some home damage, such as mold, could be excluded from your regular insurance policy depending on its cause. However, there are other insurance coverages that can be added to existing premiums.

Water Damage from Pipe Leaks

Your home insurance policy should cover accidental and sudden water damage caused by a plumbing failure, such as a ruptured water heater or burst pipe.

If your home has water damage, there are three clauses in the homeowners insurance policy that could provide you with coverage:

Dwelling coverage: This clause insures your home’s structure, including the floorboards, walls, and roof. If a covered leak has damaged a section of your home or you had to get rid of a part of your wall to repair a leak, your home coverage should reimburse you. Your dwelling insurance will also cover any built-in appliances in your home if they are damaged.

Property coverage: This coverage will reimburse you for

any damaged personal property
clothing
furniture
TVs

These may have been destroyed after a plumbing problem wreaks havoc in your home. However, luxury items such as jewelry will be covered, but with a $2,000 limit, unless you added extra coverage to your policy.

Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage: This type of coverage will reimburse you for your travel, hotel, and food expenses if you were displaced from your house temporarily.

For instance, if water begins to pour out of your washing machine while you are not at home, it may cause buckling on your wooden floorboards. Additionally, the water may leak through your floors and damage your walls or the ceiling of the floor underneath. In such a case, an insurance adjuster will assess the damage to your home.

What Plumbing Damage Cannot Be Covered by Home Insurance

Although burst pipes and plumbing malfunctions are covered under water damage, you need to know that there are some situations or types of damage that are not covered. When you file a water damage claim, your insurer will send out an insurance adjuster to evaluate the cause and cost of the damage. They will assess:

The source of the damage or the location of the affected pipes
Whether the damage occurred due to a new leak or an old one
Whether there were signs of deterioration that may have indicated future leaks
Whether the leak is the result of old age or deterioration

The insurance adjuster will use these assessments to determine if you could have prevented the leak. If they believe you could have prevented it, they will not provide you with coverage.

Lack of Maintenance

Water damage resulting from normal deterioration or insufficient plumbing maintenance won’t be covered. Insurers also deny claims for burst pipes during winter, a common claim made by several homeowners.

Sewage Backup

While a leaking toilet could be covered by homeowners insurance policies, a backed-up or flooded sewage system will not be covered. Even if it could overload your plumbing system. Fortunately, many home insurance companies offer sewer or water backup insurance as a cost-effective rider that can be added to an existing policy. It’s a great idea to include this optional coverage because sewage damage can be hazardous to your family’s health and can cause costly damage to your home and property.

Flood Damage

Damage resulting from a defective pipe or utility is usually covered. Flood damage occurs when heavy rains, overflowing water bodies, or snowmelt raise water levels to the point of accessing your house and overloads the plumbing system. This damage is not included in your homeowners insurance policy, but you can purchase flood insurance coverage from your insurer if they participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Mold Damage

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover mold damage. However, insurance firms do offer varying levels of protection against mold damage if it is due to a covered leak. You must carefully read your policy to fully understand your coverage. If covered, your insurer will reimburse you for up to $10,000 for mold remediation, but the amount will depend on certain factors.

You should regularly clean, dehumidify, and ventilate areas susceptible to mold growth to prevent its spread. These areas include the crawl space, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, and cabinets under sinks.

If you notice a water leak, take immediate steps to prevent further damage. Stop the flow of water by shutting off your main water valve. Call an emergency plumber to help you fix the leak.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC if you have problems with water leaks at home.

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Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733
https://www.blueribbonplumbingmb.com/

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

Sue White Jul 28, 2023Jan 16, 2024

Plumbing Professionals Guide On Water Leak Detection

The increase in population all over the world has increased human’s need for water, making plumbing maintenance extremely important. In addition, low-level rains in some parts of the world slowed the replenishment of the supply of water.

It is for this reason that every one of us should contribute to the preservation of one of the most valuable products here in our world– water. One of the most practical things that people, specifically homeowners, do is to watch out for possible water leaks inside their houses.

There are some water leaks that are so sluggish, they are not noticeable. And there are those that are being overlooked by some. This might be because they lack the knowledge of what small leaks can really do. If small leaks continue for a year, it could add up to thousands of gallons.

Can you just imagine what happens if all homeowners neglected these small leaks? Water leak does not only add up to the world’s water scarcity but it can do significant damage to your home.

Plumbing Guide: How To Detect A Water Leak at Home

There’s no need to worry because detecting water leaks at home can be done by occasionally inspecting the areas in your home’s plumbing system. Or by setting up a commercially readily available water leak detection gadget.

There are two kinds of water leak detection systems which are:

Passive Leak Detection Systems – are normally stand-alone battery-operated gadgets that produce alarm sounds when its moisture-sensing unit ends up being damp. These alarms make it possible for the homeowner to find precisely where the water leaks are and do the needed repair work. Given that these are battery-reliant gadgets, its battery must be examined routinely.
Active Leak Detection Systems– likewise sounds an alarm when it identifies water leaks in your Myrtle Beach plumbing system, and will immediately stop the water circulation. It might utilize a wetness-sensing unit or a circulation-sensing unit in keeping an eye on any water leaks. There are 2 kinds of active leak detection systems:

home appliance systems– screens leaks from a single device and instantly shuts down the supply of water to such home appliance should there be leaks identified.

Whole home systems – screen leaks in the entire home and shut down the primary water system to your house until leaks are discovered. An entire home system is made up of a number of wetness-sensing units which send out a signal to manage the valve by means of a radio signal or by way of electrical wiring connections.

It is important for homeowners to know that every home is different and there are different ways to identify any form of leaks. Some leak detection systems can easily be set up by the homeowner, while there are those that need the expertise of a plumber in Myrtle Beach.

But not all homeowners can afford these types of systems, so you can just do it the simple and natural way. Try to inspect your home regularly for any leak and keep a closer look at devices near any water source or those that use water or any plumbing system. One of the most apparent locations to search for water leaks are:

Restroom & toilet areas specifically on the faucet, shower and water heating unit
The cooking area is usually in the faucet, water heater and dishwasher
Utility room
Garage and basement
Yard specially on the watering system
Swimming pool
Patio area

Because many pipes are embedded in the walls and flooring, you would know if there are leakages when you see staining on a wall, ceiling, or carpet. Spotting water leakages in the watering system is similar to finding leakages in hidden piping systems. The easiest way to identify any leakage is to ask for help from your local plumber.

Water leakages just get worse over time; it would be smart for you to handle it as early as possible. Early detection and repair work will save you money and prevent home damage. Call Blu Ribbon Plumbing LLC today.

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Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733
https://www.blueribbonplumbingmb.com/

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

Sue White Apr 14, 2023Jan 16, 2024

Detecting a Water Leak

residential-plumber-Myrtle-Beach Water leaks in your plumbing system can lead to a multitude of problems, ranging from wastage of water to costly damages to your home appliances and property. This is why it is crucial to investigate them quickly and effectively to prevent any potential issues.

Detecting Water Leaks

Listen Carefully

One of the easiest ways to detect water leaks in your plumbing system is by listening for the sound of dripping or leaking water. Turn off all your home appliances, fixtures, sprinklers, and even the water hose in your garden. Once that is done, listen carefully for any sounds of water dripping or leaking. If you hear one, try to locate the source of the sound and call your local plumber to fix it immediately.

The sound of dripping water is often the result of a leaking pipe or a worn-out faucet, and if left unattended, can cause significant damage to your property. Additionally, it can also lead to higher water bills as water is being wasted.

Check The Water Meter

Another way to detect water leaks in your plumbing system is by checking the water meter. The water meter is usually located outside your house and looks like a plastic box on the ground. If you are living in an apartment, you will find the water meter on one of the sides.

To check the water meter, turn off all your home appliances and fixtures, and make sure that no water is being used in your house. Check the digits on the water meter and jot them down. Wait for around an hour or so, and check the digits again. If you notice that the digits have increased even though no water is being used, then this is a sign that you have a water leak.

Using a water meter is an effective way to detect water leaks that are not easily noticeable, such as those hidden behind walls or under the floor. By detecting water leaks early on, you can prevent further damages and save yourself from expensive repair costs.

Use A Radar

If you suspect that the leak is originating from outside your house, you can use a radar to detect it. A radar can help you find the exact location of the leak and show you if it is a small or large leak.

Radar works by sending waves that can pass through several types of material and delivers the signal back to the main machine. A specialized instrument can be utilized to perceive the radar waves sent back and through the strength of the waves as well as the time for it to return, you’ll know what kind of material the wave was able to reach.

Using a radar is particularly helpful if the leak is located underground and cannot be easily detected by other means. It is an effective way to detect water leaks early on, before they cause significant damage to your property.

Use A Geophone

A geophone is an instrument that functions similarly to a stethoscope. It can be used to locate the sound of leaks underground. If there is a leak, the geophone will pick up the sound and make it louder, allowing you to locate the sound yourself if you listen carefully for movement underground.

However, it’s important to note that if the leak is extremely large, the geophone may not be able to find it, as water can leak from a very large hole without generating much noise. In such cases, other methods such as using a radar or filling the water pipe with gas may be more effective.

When In Doubt, Seek The Help Of A Residential Plumber

If you are unsure about how to detect water leaks in your plumbing system or are unable to locate the source of the leak, it’s always best to seek the help of a professional residential plumber. A plumber has the necessary skills, knowledge, and equipment to detect and repair water leaks in your plumbing system quickly and efficiently.

A residential plumber can also provide you with valuable advice on how to prevent water leaks in the future, such as regularly checking your plumbing system for leaks, maintaining your home appliances and fixtures, and replacing old or worn-out pipes.

Water leaks in your plumbing system can cause significant damage to your property and lead to costly repair bills. It’s crucial to detect water leaks early on and fix them as soon as possible. By turning off the water source, listening carefully for dripping or leaking water, checking the water meter, using a radar or filling the water pipe with gas, and using a geophone, you can detect water leaks in your plumbing system and prevent them from causing any further damage. And when in doubt, always seek the help of a professional residential plumber to ensure that your plumbing system is in good condition and free from leaks.