Return HomeYour best coverage is our only policy

Preventing Theft Of Your Boat And Trailer

Some helpful hints,

  • Install a Passive Immobilizer Alarm or device
  • Install special locking mechanisms
  • Disconnect electric brakes when not in use
  • Remove wheel
  • Store the boat on blocks in the off-season
  • Store the boat and trailer in a locked enclosure
  • Chain the wheels and use a good chain lock

Preventing Water Damage

The most common water damage in the home happens as the result of: plumbing problems (tubs, toilets, pipe breaks, showers), rain water, washing machines, and frozen pipe breaks. Compare your monthly water usage to the previous month or prior year's bills. In some instances you might have only a small leak, but over the course of a year it could add up to substantial water loss. All of the following can be the cause of water damage in your home.

  • Frozen Pipes more...
  • Dishwasher
  • Bathroom Fixtures more...
  • Faucets
  • Washing Machines more...
  • Air Conditioners
  • Pumps Water Filters
  • Pipes & Fittings more...
  • Sewer Backup more...
  • Water Heaters
  • Gutters & Outdoor Pipes more...
  • Windows & Doors more...

Pipes & Fittings

  • At least once a year, inspect and replace all worn fittings and hose connections to all household appliances that use water, such as washers, dishwashers, kitchen sinks and bathroom lavatories, refrigerator ice makers, water softeners and humidifiers.
  • Shut off water supply to washing machine when on vacation or absent from the home for several days. This helps reduce the pressure in the hoses and could reduce the chances of flooding if the hose should break.
  • Have a professional plumber inspect and repair damaged and leaky pipes.
  • Find out helpful ways to avoid Frozen Pipes

Bathroom

  • Turn off water supply to all toilets, faucets and tubs while on vacation.
  • When filling the bathtub, stay in the room at all times.
  • Don't flush foreign objects down the toilet. (For example: children’s toys, any metal objects, etc.)
  • For a clogged toilet:
  • Be aware of water supply location and shut it off immediately.
  • Keep a plunger handy to help unclog the toilet trapway.
  • When in doubt, call a professional plumber.

Windows and Doors

  • Repair window and door cracks with caulk and replace old and dried out caulk regularly. This will prevent water from entering from the outside.

Outdoor Pipes and Gutters

  • Clean your gutters and downspouts regularly of leaves, branches and other debris. This will prevent overflowing, which could cause damage to your roof.
  • Insulate outdoor pipes to prevent bursting due to expansion caused by freezing.

Avoiding Frozen Pipes

  • Shut off your water when on vacation for any length of time. This will prevent a pipe that has frozen from breaking and flooding your home while away.
  • During extreme cold weather, letting a faucet drip from pipes that are vulnerable to freezing can prevent a pipe from bursting. Opening a faucet will provide relief from the excessive pressure that builds between the faucet and the ice blockage when freezing occurs.
  • When away from the house for an extended period during the winter, be careful how much you lower the heat. A lower temperature may save on the heating bill, but there could be a disaster if a cold spell strikes and pipes that normally would be safe freeze and burst.
  • If you suspect that a water pipe has burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve; leave the faucet open until repairs are completed
  • Pipes in attics and crawl spaces should be protected with insulation or heat.
  • Homeowners should be alert to the dangers of freezing pipes, when the temperature reaches 20°F. However, freezing can occur when the temperature remains below 32°F.

Washing Machines

  • Inspect your washing machine hoses regularly
  • Replace the washing machine hoses once a year.
  • Shut off the water supply to your washing machine. If there's not a shutoff near your washer, close the main shutoff valve in your house. Unscrew the old hoses and hook up the new ones. Make sure you line up the threads and screw the hoses on tightly. When you're done, turn on the water supply and check carefully for leaks.
  • When you replace your washing machine hoses, keep them free of kinks and tight bends.
  • A professional plumber can tell you about other products, such as water hammer arrestors, which may lessen the chances of washing machine hoses breaking. A water hammer arrestor can absorb the increased water pressure that comes when the electric valve in your washing machine shuts off.
  • Make sure there are at least four inches (or 11 centimeters) between the water connection and the back of the washing machine. This space will help reduce the chances that the hose will kink.
  • Make sure everyone in your household knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Shut off water at valves if you will be away from your home for several days or longer.
  • Consider installing or having a professional plumber install a single-handled valve that makes it easier to turn off the water supply to your washing machine.

Sewer Backup

In British Columbia when it rains, it usually pours. This can cause sewers and drains to back up, filling your basement with foul-smelling water and sewage. Preventing sewer backup is much easier than dealing with the mess and inconvenience of it.

  • Make sure your drainage system is working properly.
  • Gutter downspouts should extend far enough away from the foundation of the house so that water is carried away from basement walls.
  • If your gutters connect to storm sewers, keep drain lines clear.
  • Anti-backflow devices reduce the chances of basement flooding. Several types of devices are available.
  • Check-valve devices allow water and sewage to flow away from the drain, preventing water and sewage from backing up into the drain.
  • Gate-valve devices operate like a gate, closing and shutting off the flow of water and sewage. Valves are manually or automatically operated.
  • Sump pump systems assist in keeping unwanted water out of your home. There are several types, including single sump pump and dual-level systems. A battery or generator can be used to power the pump in case of a power failure. Remember to test your system monthly.
  • Sometimes water still gets in. Items stored in basement areas should be shelved or kept off the floor. Furniture should be on casters or shims and arranged away from floor drains. If you have a finished basement, be aware of the dollars you have at stake if a sewer or drain loss occurs.
  • Check with your local building code department, water utility or a qualified plumber for more information on steps you can take to reduce the chance of water damage to your home.