Check your lines

4/16/2020 (Permalink)

We have received a large amount of water damage jobs through the years that have been caused by faulty water feed lines and usually are not noticed until hardwood flooring is buckled or cupped, carpets are wet or someone begins to smell mildew and mold. This can be prevented with some simple solutions.

If your refrigerator has an ice-maker the feed line should be replaced with a copper one. We had a job where a contractor accidentally put a nail through a plastic feed line and the leak went undetected for a long time. The damage from that included the entire wood floor of a kitchen and the drywall in the refrigerator surround as well as the ceiling in the finished basement below. This particular job cost thousands of dollars to rectify. A simple copper line would have prevented the piercing.

Dishwasher feed lines are usually undetected and tucked into the bottom of cabinetry. Check to make sure there are no kinks in the line. We have had several jobs in the past few months where a dishwasher line has leaked and ruined the hardwood flooring in the kitchen and the cabinetry around it. This was also a couple thousand dollar job to rectify.

When you initially order appliances request that the water supply lines be switched to metal braided lines. If you move into a home that already has appliances take the time to inspect the lines for any wear, kinks or holes. You can replace all the lines with metal braided lines, the metal braided lines are more durable and will last longer than plastic lines. If you take a vacation, even a mini vacation, make sure the water supply lines are turned off. When you come home turn them on one at a time to make sure there is no leakage.

The cost of an average water damage is between $2,000 - $5,000 but the inconvenience of not being able to use your kitchen, bathroom, laundry and other facilities because of necessary repair work hurts even more. Take an hour or two once a month and inspect your appliance water feed lines, it will save you time and money in the future.

If you find your kitchen floors buckled , finished basement carpet soaked , or bathroom floors flooded , call us here at SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle. We have the experience and training to get your home back to preloss condition from start to finish.