Every year, roughly 800,000 UK residents are affected by some type of water damage in their homes. While you may consider a burst water pipe a flood, insurance companies refer to this as something different. They call this “escape of water,” and it differs from what they consider a flood.
Most homeowner insurance policies will offer coverage to you if this happens, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Both can result in damage from water but happen for very different reasons. Knowing what is flooding and what is the escape of water can help with finding ways to protect your home.
Trying to figure out if your home is vulnerable to escape of water issues that are common? Continue reading our brief guide on flooding and escape of water and how to protect your home from both.
Escape of Water vs. Flooding
In most cases, the origin of the water is what defines whether it’s considered flooding or escape of water. For example, if water comes from an external source outside the home, such as a river or nearby lake, then it is seen as flooding. But if water is coming from an internal source, like a kitchen sink or machine pipe, then insurance companies consider it an escape of water.
Insurance companies will cover your home for both causes of damage but will have varying stipulations on how your coverage works. This is why it’s essential to check the wording on your insurance policy for how exactly your home is covered.
Preventing Water Damage
A good way to avoid dealing with the stress of water damage is to prevent it long beforehand. Escape of water issues can often happen during the winter season and when the pipes in your home aren’t given proper maintenance.
A simple way to prevent the escape of water damage is to control the temperature of your home and let the water run a bit to alleviate built-up pressure in pipes. This is smart for homes in areas with cold weather, where pipes can build up pressure due to frozen water.
Maintaining or updating old appliances is also a good way to prevent water damage. Older appliances that use pipes can malfunction or break down over time, which contributes to factors that cause an escape of water. Installing new appliances is always helpful, but fixing current ones can also be cost-effective to get the same result.
Fixing Your Water Damage Issues
Fixing and maintaining your water damage issues can be a real pain, and it’s often difficult to know who to call for help when you need it. Clipfix can help you prevent water damage from happening in the first place. Our app lets you feel confident about fixing your own plumbing and heating issues by providing expert advice and solutions instantly via video call. Plus, our experts are available 24/7 so you can get help anytime, anywhere for just £20.
Protecting Your Home from Water Damage
After reading our brief look at the differences between flooding and escape of water, you’ll be equipped to protect your home and prevent water damage. You can avoid a stressful problem with your water damage insurance by taking small steps to keep a worst-case scenario from happening.
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