Home water damage prevention tips

Water damage is one of those headaches no homeowner wants to face, but the good news is there are a few easy steps you can take to keep your home—and everything in it—safe. With Canada’s unpredictable weather, from heavy rainstorms to freezing winters, the risk of water damage in your home can be even higher. But with a little preparation and the right preventive measures, you can stay ahead of the game and avoid costly problems before they happen. To keep your home dry and damage-free, here are a few easy tips to follow:

1. Know where your water shut-off valve is located

If a severe leak or pipe burst happens, you’ll want to act fast, so it’s important to know where your home’s main water shut-off valve is and how to use it. Make sure everyone in your household knows, too, just in case you're not at home. It's also important to know where the individual water shutoffs are for your appliances and fixtures, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, sinks, and toilets.

Example: When Amanda’s washing machine hose burst, she ran straight to the shut-off valve she’d learned about earlier. Thanks to shutting the water off quickly, she avoided major flooding and saved thousands in damage.

2. Regularly inspect your home

Regular home maintenance is one of the best ways to prevent water damage. By regularly inspecting your home, you'll be able to spot any early signs of damage and prevent it from getting worse.

Example: Mark spotted a missing shingle during a spring inspection. He replaced it right away, preventing water from leaking into his attic during the next rainstorm. Here are some key things to check when inspecting your home for signs of water damage:

Roof and gutters

You'll want to regularly inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles so you can replace them promptly. And if your roof is more than 15 years old, it may be time to have it fully redone. At this time, you could add a waterproof membrane beneath your shingles for extra protection.

Another important thing is to keep your gutters, eavestroughs and downspouts clear of debris. This can help prevent ice dams from forming in the winter by allowing melting snow to flow into gutters and through downspouts.

If you still notice ice dams forming on your roof, consider having your attic evaluated for proper insulation and ventilation. If your attic has poor insulation, the heat can escape, causing snow and ice on the roof to melt. The water drips to the edge of the roof, but since there is no more heat there, it refreezes, causing an ice dam. Ice dams can cause water to get under the shingles and into the attic.

Windows and doors

You'll want to make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent water from seeping in. Be sure to check your windows and doors often for signs of swelling, peeling or discolouration—these are all signs of water damage. You may also consider installing window well covers to keep window wells free from debris and pooling water.

Walls and foundation

When inspecting your walls and foundation, look for any breaks or cracks in the siding, bricks, or stone. If you notice any, be sure to seal them right away. You'll also want to make sure the earth around your home has proper grading so that water flows away from the foundation instead of towards it. Another way to keep water away from your foundation is to make sure your home’s downspouts extend at least 1.8 metres from your home.

Pipes

You'll want to regularly inspect any pipes for signs of corrosion or buckling. If you notice any, be sure to have the pipes replaced. And if you have any exposed pipes, you can prevent frozen pipes in the wintertime by insulating outside walls or using snap-on insulation. Frozen pipes can lead to burst pipes.

3. Instal leak detection sensors

Consider installing water leak detectors in areas where leaks are most likely, such as basements, laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, or near your sump pump. These handy devices can send alerts directly to your smartphone, alerting you if a water leak occurs, and some can even shut off the water automatically to prevent serious damage. While the more advanced models might need professional installation, there are plenty of easy, DIY options to choose from.

Example: Sarah’s leak detector alerted her to a drip under the kitchen sink while she was at work. She got home in time to tighten a loose valve, saving her cabinets from water damage.

4. Instal a sump pump and backwater valve

A sump pump and backwater valve can be game-changers when it comes to keeping your home dry. A sump pump helps prevent basement flooding by automatically pumping out excess water, like after a heavy rainstorm, while a backwater valve helps prevent sewage from backing up into your home during heavy rainfall. If you don’t already have either of these in place, it’s definitely worth considering having them professionally installed.

Example: When a summer thunderstorm overwhelmed city drains, Mike’s backwater valve prevented sewage from backing into his basement, while his neighbour wasn’t so lucky.

5. Only run your appliances when you’re at home

Appliances—and their supply lines—can fail at any time, and running them right before you leave the house can be a risky move. Think of it this way: you wouldn’t leave your oven on when you head out the door, right? The same rule should apply to water-related appliances. Whether it’s your dishwasher, washing machine, or any other appliance that uses water, try to run them while you’re home and awake so you can catch any leaks or issues before they turn into a bigger problem.

Example: Emma made it a rule only to run her dishwasher when she is home. One night, it started leaking mid-cycle—but since she was there, she caught it fast and turned it off before extensive water damage occurred.

6. Have your appliances and fixtures properly maintained

Keep an eye on any appliance that uses water, like your dishwasher, washing machine, or water heater. The older your home and plumbing system, the higher the chance of a water-related issue. Most leaks and water damage come from simple wear and tear.

Keep an eye on the supply lines and valves around your sinks and toilets because they don’t last forever. In fact, some supply lines are only designed to last five to ten years, but many homeowners don’t replace them until they fail (which is usually when water starts leaking everywhere), even though replacing these components is a relatively quick and inexpensive job. The same goes for your dishwasher, fridge's ice maker, and washing machine hoses—these should be replaced every three to five years.

Also, water heaters should be partially drained every six months. This prevents sediments from building up at the bottom of the tank, which can cause erosion and rust. Some water heaters can hold up to 360 litres, and if they spring a leak, they can flood an entire home, causing extensive damage.

Example: David replaced the hoses on his 8-year-old washing machine during a routine check. A month later, his neighbour’s identical hose burst and caused $7,000 in damage—David was glad he’d been proactive.

Below is an overview of various preventative measures, including their associated costs and the average repair expenses these measures can help you avoid. Implementing these strategies not only helps protect your home but also leads to significant long-term savings by reducing the likelihood of costly repairs:

7. Keep the heat on even if you’re away

We all know Canadian winters can be brutal, so even if you’re heading out of town, don’t turn the heat off completely. Pipes, especially those in exterior walls, can freeze if your home gets too cold. To help prevent pipes from freezing, keep your thermostat set to a minimum temperature of at least 12°C—it’ll help maintain enough warmth inside walls and floors to keep pipes from freezing.

Frozen pipes are a disaster waiting to happen. Once they thaw, the built-up pressure can cause them to burst, and if that happens upstairs, water will quickly find its way down, causing damage to multiple floors.

Example: During a winter vacation, John left his thermostat set to 15°C. His neighbour, who had turned theirs off, came home to find burst pipes and water damage, while John returned to a dry house.

8. Shut off your water if you'll be away for an extended period

It’s easy to forget, but if you’re going to be away for a while, shutting off your home’s water supply can help prevent any unexpected leaks or bursts while you’re gone. Before you do, it’s a good idea to check with a professional to make sure you’re taking the right steps, especially for a longer trip. If turning off the main valve isn’t an option, consider shutting off individual valves to key appliances and fixtures—like your washing machine, dishwasher, or toilets—to minimize the risk of water damage while you’re away. The last thing you want is to come home to a flooded home.

Example: Lisa turned off her main water valve before leaving for a 3-week trip. Halfway through her vacation, a pipe fitting loosened—fortunately, with the water off, there was no flooding.

9. Clear away snow and ice

To prevent spring flooding, before the spring melt starts, try to clear as much snow and ice away from your home as possible. Pay extra attention to spots where the ground slopes toward your house, like your driveway or deck—melting snow in these areas can send water straight to your foundation.

Example: After clearing snow away from his foundation in early spring, Ravi noticed water draining away from his house. His neighbour’s uncleared snow led to water pooling and seeping into their basement.

10. Have the right insurance coverage

Home insurance can protect your home from certain types of water damage, but not all types. That's why it's important to have the right insurance coverage to protect your home no matter what comes your way.

In Canada, most home insurance policies cover water damage caused by sudden and accidental leaks or overflows, such as burst pipes or cracked hoses.

However, as we mentioned, not all types of water damage are covered by standard home insurance. Things like sewer backups or overland flooding usually require extra coverage. And if a pipe bursts in an unheated part of your home due to freezing? That’s often not covered either, which is why we wrote about adding extra insulation around those pipes.

Another important detail—if your home has been vacant for 30 days or more, most policies won’t cover water damage at all. This is why we recommended shutting off your main water valve beforehand.

Example: Paul added sewer backup coverage to his home insurance after hearing horror stories about the consequences of not having it. That same year, a heavy rainstorm caused a backup, and his extra coverage paid for the cleanup.

Learn more with BrokerLink

There are many things you can do to help protect your home from water damage. One of the best things you can do is to make sure you have the right insurance coverage in place. And that's where BrokerLink can help. We can help you review your home insurance policy to see what is and is not covered and weigh the pros and cons of adding extra protection like sewer backup coverage or overland water coverage to your policy.

You can reach us by phone, by email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

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