Indianapolis Home Water Damage Facts & Statistics

10/25/2018 (Permalink)

Indianapolis Home Water Damage Facts & Statistics

Did you know that water damage and freezing are the second most common damage to a home just behind wind and hail damage? According to the Insurance Infomation Institute, a single family home over 100 years will file 2.38 claims for wind and hail damage and 1.99 claims for water damage and freezing on average.

In this blog, we will dive through the facts and statistics on water damage to Indianapolis-area homes. While some things are unpreventable, there are some statistics that might help you prevent or reduce the risk of water damage to your home.

Average Water Damage Costs

Revisiting the Insurance Information Institute’s data, on average a home suffers around $9,633 of damage from water and/or freezing. Compared to a fire which causes on average around $50,000 of damage, it is not much but it is still significant which is why it’s important to have home insurance. Damages from water and freezing tend to be to the drywall, carpeting, flooring, fabric goods, and furniture.

The other important thing regarding water damage is how quickly the homeowner reacts to cleaning it up. The longer the water sits, the more damage it can cause. Standing water in a basement or water damaged drywall can quickly lead to mold growth and more damage and problems. If you should suffer water damage to your home, it’s important to contact a water cleanup and restoration company, like SERVPRO of Indianapolis West, a soon as possible.

Leading Causes of Water Damage

In another study by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, the top causes of water damage to homes were gathered. According to the study, the five most common causes of water damage to a home were caused by:

• Plumbing Pipe Failure

Plumbing pipe failures are caused by pipes freezing and bursting or pipes leaking. Freezing pipes can occur when water pipes are exposed to extreme temperatures as a result of the home heating system failing or pipes in crawl spaces or exterior walls are exposed to severe winds and cold temperatures. Water damage from pipe failures results in an average of $5,000 according to the study.

• Plumbing Drain Failure

Plumbing or sewer drain failures are a result of sewer backups or leaking from material failure. If you don’t own a basement then you are in luck as 68% of all sewer backups occurred in basements. While disgusting and potentially unhealthy, the average cost of damage from a sewer backup is $4,400.

• Toilet Failure

Backed up and overflowing toilets account for 78% of all water damage from toilets. Toilets failing are the second leading cause of water damage to Indianapolis homes with pipe failures being the first. Due to the fact that toilets occupy upper floors, the damage they can cause can be quite severe due to the water running down through the floors. On average, toilet failures cause around $5,500 in damage to homes.

• Water Heater Failure

Water heater failures tend to occur due to the water heater rusting and corroding after years of use. These failures can start as small leaks or turn quickly into expansive water damage if there is a severe failure of the water heater tank. Just like toilets, the damage from a water heater failure is dependent on which floor it is located on. Water heaters located in the basement or garage result in less damage than one that is located on the first or upper floors and fails.

• Washing Machine Failure

Washing machine failures tend to be due to clogged drains resulting in the machine overflowing. They can also be caused by bad water supply hoses that crack, break or become disconnected. On average, washing machine failures result in over $5,000 in damage.

Most Water Damage is Preventable

In another study by the American Insurance Association, they found that 93% of all water damage to homes could have been prevented. In looking at the common causes of water damage above, you can quickly start to see that many times the water damage occurs due to materials that have failed due to age.

Some ways that you can reduce the risk of water damage to your Indiana home is to check your toilets, washing machine, and water heater on a regular basis for signs of deterioration or material damage. For example, if you notice that your toilet sometimes runs constantly, you may want to check the flanges inside the tank and replace or fix them. With washing machines and water heaters, it’s good to check for any signs of water dripping or pooling around the appliances. If you do spot some water, you will want to find and fix the problem before it becomes a bigger one. With pipes, it’s important to take steps to reduce the risk of freezing during extreme cold weather. If you have a sink that is on an exterior wall, you may want to turn the water on just slightly to reduce the chance of the water freezing in the pipes and bursting.

What to Do If Your Home Suffers from Water Damage

If you should suffer water damage from a burst water pipe, appliance failure or sewer backup, it’s important to act quickly to ensure the water is removed and the home cleaned. After a day or two, water can lead to mold growth which can cause further damage to your home. Whether it’s in the middle of the night, on the weekend, or during the holidays, SERVPRO of Indianapolis West is always available to handle any water damage emergency. SERVPRO of Indianapolis West can help clean up the water damage and return your home back to normal. Give them a call if your Indianapolis-area home should suffer water damage.