Water damage: A guide to help protect your home

Did you know that water damage is responsible for almost half of all home insurance claims in Canada?¹ Extreme weather events, aging infrastructure and lack of preventive maintenance are just a few of the reasons for this rise.

Dealing with water issues can feel overwhelming, but a little preparation goes a long way. Explore our tips to help you prevent water damage, address it quickly when it happens and make sure you’re protected with the right insurance coverage.

We’ll walk you through what you need to know about the different types of water damage, what some of the common causes are and what to do if you experience it in your home.

Water damage refers to harm caused by water to your home or personal property.² 

Some types of water damage strike suddenly, meaning they occur abruptly and unexpectedly. This type of damage can be caused by things like a broken supply hose in your washing machine or a water heater failure. Other types of water damage can develop drip by drip: Think about a hidden leak behind a wall.

Water damage is classified into three categories based on how contaminated the water is.³

Let’s get right to the point, as water damage can take many forms—and spotting the risks early can help you protect your home from costly damage.

Plumbing failures 

Pipes and appliances can break or leak due to wear, freezing or age. Common culprits include:

• Pipes that freeze and burst during extreme cold weather.
• Plumbing fixtures and devices that are past their best before date. For example, if your water heater is more than 10 years old, it’s probably at the end of its life. Outdated appliances can pose significant risks of leaks or failures.
• Galvanized steel pipes, which are still occasionally found in older homes. They can leak and cause significant water damage—often hidden behind walls. If you have this type of plumbing system, it’s likely at the end of its lifespan. It’s a good idea to have it inspected by a professional and plan to replace it.

Roof, wall and foundation leaks 

These types of leaks can be caused by things like: 

• Spring thaws that lead to water buildup on your roof and around the property 
• Poor construction or renovation defects
• Waterproofing issues around your roof, windows and doors

Sewer backup

This smelly issue occurs when wastewater flows backward into your home, due to blockages or an overwhelmed municipal system. 

Chronic humidity and condensation 

Persistent moisture can cause mould to grow, which can lead to structural damage. Keep an eye on vulnerable areas, like bathrooms, basements and poorly ventilated areas. If damage is gradual and ongoing, rather than accidental, it could lead to issues with your insurance coverage. 

Flooding 

Flooding is usually caused by overflowing rivers or heavy rain.

Neglected maintenance

Clogged eavestroughs, for example, can lead to leaks and water damage.

If you’ve noticed any of the following signs around your home, they could indicate a hidden water issue that needs attention:

• Persistent musty or mouldy smells, especially behind furniture or in closed-off areas
• Orangey-yellow stains or bubbling on ceilings or walls
• Peeling or blistering paint
• Warping or buckling floors
• Doors that are hard to close or that no longer close 
• Unusual sounds in indoor plumbing  

Some situations are beyond your control, but regular and seasonal home maintenance can go a long way in preventing this type of damage.

Keeping an eye out for issues like worn-out seals or clogged gutters isn’t just about keeping your home looking nice—it’s key to avoiding costly leaks and headaches down the line. And if you’ll be away for a while, remember to turn off your main water supply. Leaving for the winter? Also remember to drain the plumbing.

Canada’s changing seasons can take a toll on your home—staying on top of seasonal prep helps protect against water damage.

Winter

• Insulate your water pipes and drain outdoor faucets (let any water left in the pipes drain out) to help prevent damage caused by freezing. 
• Clear snow and ice from your roof when there are accumulations—especially if snow reaches 2 feet (60 cm) or ice reaches 2 inches (5 cm). Ice buildup along the edge of your roof can be a sign of poor ventilation or insulation, which can lead to water infiltration.

Spring

• Carefully inspect your basement, foundation and crawl space. If you see white deposits (efflorescence), it can be a sign that your French drain isn’t working properly. And check for possible signs of water or moisture while you’re at it. 
• Check your plumbing (pipes should be inspected every 10 years). 
• Make sure your eavestroughs are clear (no buildup of snow, ice or other debris).
• Think about adding a backflow preventer to your seasonal maintenance routine to help avoid potential sewer backup damage.
• Inspect your roof and have minor repairs taken care of as they come up.

Fall

• The perfect time to make sure your drains and pumps are in good condition before the deep cold hits. 
• It’s also a good time to give your appliances some love: shut the valves after doing laundry, check your dishwasher hoses and wipe down the rubber seals around the outside.
• Outside the house, stay on top of your leaf situation. If they pile up, they can prevent your catch basin from working properly. Also make sure the slope of your yard isn’t causing water to pool near your home.
• Last but not least, don’t forget to inspect your roof and clean out your eavestroughs before the cold sets in.

When it comes to protecting your home, technology can be your best friend. Can you imagine the relief you’d feel if you caught a hidden leak before it turned into a costly disaster? That’s exactly what smart water leak detection systems can do. These devices can sense leaks tucked away inside walls, even when a pipe bursts where you can’t see it.

And that’s not all. Automatic shut-off valves and humidity sensors can add an extra layer of defence, helping you stop water damage in its tracks.

Here’s what to do and the important steps to follow as soon as you notice any water damage.

Are you dealing with water inside your home? First things first: Identify the source. Did the washing machine spring a leak? Maybe water coming in from an external water source, like after a heavy rain? Next, check if you can stop the cause of the water infiltration, like turning off a running appliance or shutting off the valve that controls the water service pipe.

Assess the danger before you do anything. Could you get hurt or is there a risk of fire? Always prioritize your safety and the safety of those around you.

• Shut off the valve to the main water service pipe if you can. And make sure everyone who lives with you knows where the water main shut-off valve is and how to close it.
• Protect valuables like your furniture, electronic devices and documents by moving belongings to a dry area or elevating furniture with blocks.
• Set up a barrier to try to stop the water leak or water backup from spreading by using towels, buckets and/or tarps.
• Use a pump or wet vac if it’s safe to do so.
• If there’s contaminated water caused by a sewer backup, always wear gloves, a mask and waterproof boots. Reach out to your insurance company’s claims department to get instructions on how to proceed safely.

Once everyone is safe and you’ve done what you can to limit the damage, a few simple steps can make a big difference for your home insurance claim. Start by taking photos and videos right away and keep documenting how the damage progresses over time. Create a detailed inventory of all your damaged items and estimate how much they’re worth. (This is why it’s so important to keep receipts.) Finally, don’t throw away damaged items or faulty parts until they’ve been inspected by an adjuster.

Whether you need some indoor plumbing or a complete restoration, always choose qualified and certified contractors to ensure the work is in good hands. Call your insurance company to report the claim (declare the loss) and, if necessary to prevent further damage and mitigate loss, book a specialized inspection for exterior infiltration.

If you’ve experienced this type of damage in your home and want to act fast, here are a few cleanup or water damage restoration steps you shouldn’t skip.

After you stop the source of the leak, the next step is to dry everything out as quickly as possible to prevent further damage.

• Dry out any affected areas using industrial dehumidifiers and high-powered fans. 
• Make sure walls, floors and ceilings are completely dry to prevent mould.
• Reach out to a professional who can refer you to reputable restoration companies. They’ll help dry out the affected areas and minimize additional damage.

Once the area is dry, it’s important to check for mould growth to keep your home safe and healthy.

• Inspect the affected areas for any signs of mould. Contain any spaces that have been impacted.
• Avoid turning up the heat or blowing hot air directly onto wet surfaces, as this can increase the risk of mould growth.
• Use an antimicrobial cleaner to disinfect contaminated surfaces. Try to do this within 48 hours of water exposure to prevent mould from spreading.
• Depending on the type of damage, you may need water treatment professionals to perform the cleanup.

It’s important to take action as soon as you can, because water damage can have lasting (and costly) effects. Left unchecked, it can weaken walls, foundations and structural framing, create electrical hazards that increase fire risk and even impact your property value. Add to that the steep repair bills and the disruption to your daily life, and it’s clear: Quick action can save you time, stress and money.

When disaster strikes, having the right home insurance coverage can make all the difference. Here’s what your policy likely includes.

A standard home insurance policy covers certain types of water damage but also comes with exclusions. You can often add optional water damage coverage to protect against specific water-related risks.

Most home insurance policies will cover sudden and accidental water damage. A burst pipe is a good example. But water damage caused by a lack of heating isn’t covered. Neither is water damage caused by ongoing or repeated leaks or seepage, including things like leaks caused by poor maintenance, such as a worn-out seal that isn’t replaced.

Some water damage—caused by sewer backups or flooding—isn’t included in a standard policy. You’d need optional add-on coverage for this type of damage, which includes sewer backups, above-ground water infiltration (caused, for example, by a failure of the roofing system), flooding caused by the overflow of a body of water, ground-level infiltration following heavy rainfall (such as water entry through basement window wells), and water damage caused by groundwater or the water table.

Remember that coverage can vary a lot between insurers. It’s always a good idea to double-check the policy wordings in your homeowners insurance policies. Your insurance should give you enough coverage to handle things like cleaning and decontamination, the replacement of any damaged furniture or belongings, the cost of the renovations needed to restore your home to its original condition and even indirect costs, like temporary housing or lost rental income.

Report a claim by calling your home insurance provider or filling out a claim form online.

Make sure to have all the necessary proof and documentation available, such as photos of damaged items and receipts, if you incurred expenses related to the loss.

Once your claim form has been submitted, a claims adjuster will handle your request. Note that the processing time depends on the severity and complexity of your claim.

Want to make your claims process go as smoothly as possible and reduce the impact on your premium? A few simple steps can go a long way. Keep your documents organized and easy to follow—think clear, chronological details. If you can, include proof of preventive maintenance. Stay responsive and transparent when talking to your insurer and always save your emails and messages.

When it comes to water damage, prevention really is your best defence. Having the right home insurance coverage and keeping up with regular and seasonal maintenance can go a long way in protecting your home. If water seepage does happen, don’t wait. Act fast and call in qualified professionals to limit the impact.

Keep reading :

Sources : 

1. https://www.accomsure.com/resources/the-rise-in-water-damage-insurance-claims/

2. https://lautorite.qc.ca/en/general-public/insurance/home-insurance/protecting-yourself-against-water-damage

3. https://iicrc.org