Water damage can happen to anyone – here’s how to avoid it
Water damage is unfortunately common, and its consequences can be extensive – sometimes affecting an entire building. In the worst case, the tenant may face a temporary move out of the apartment, and the responsibility for covering the damage may fall on the tenant. In many cases, water damage could have been easily prevented.
In summary
- Water damage is common, and repairing it is expensive and can take months
- Carefulness and monitoring household appliances can prevent water damage
- The most common causes of water damage are household appliances, drains and pipes, as well as tenant actions
- Always report water damage to Hoas immediately
- A valid home insurance policy will protect you if damage happens to you
Water damage risk points and common causes
There are a few areas at home where extra caution is needed.
Always keep an eye on the washing machine
Dishwashers and washing machines are common causes of water damage. Improper installation, lack of maintenance, ignoring user instructions, unexpected malfunctions, and leaving the machine running unattended are often the reasons.
- Let a professional handle the installation.
- Use a leak tray under the dishwasher.
- Never leave the washing machine on when you leave home.
- Turn off the washing machine’s water tap as soon as the program is finished.
- Follow the machine’s user instructions.
- Regularly check the connections and hoses for leaks.
- When moving out, plug the washing machine connections after disconnecting the machine – if not plugged correctly, the risk of water damage is high.
Refrigerators and freezers can also cause water damage
Water flows through fridges and freezers – which means they also pose a risk. You can avoid water damage by using them carefully and checking their condition regularly.
- Monitor the condition of the appliance: move it to check that there is no moisture under or behind it.
- Make sure the defrost drain inside the fridge is not clogged. If blocked, clean it immediately to prevent water from pooling and eventually leaking onto the floor. See instructions.
- Ensure a leak tray is under the appliance.
- Check that the freezer door always closes properly.
- When defrosting the freezer, make sure the melt water does not end up on the floor.
Beware of a clogged drain
A blocked drain can cause water damage when it cannot carry away water from the floor quickly enough – or at all. Pipes may also have unnoticed leaks, so it’s good to keep an eye on them.
- Clean the bathroom floor drain regularly to ensure proper flow. See instructions.
- Avoid using the shower if the floor drain is blocked – otherwise water may flow over the bathroom threshold into other parts of the apartment, causing damage.
- Pour drain cleaner (available in supermarkets) into slow drains. If home remedies don’t help, submit a fault report in MyHoas.
- Keep an eye on visible pipes in the apartment. If you see water or moisture where it doesn’t belong, submit a fault report in MyHoas.
- Dark patches on walls or floors may indicate moisture damage, which should also be reported via a fault report in MyHoas.
Water damage is often caused by carelessness, neglect, or simply accidents
A large share of water damage is unfortunately caused by tenant actions that could have been avoided.
- Open windows: Always close windows when you leave home. In a sudden downpour, large amounts of water can quickly enter the apartment.
- Floor cleaning: Mop floors with a damp mop or cloth. Never pour water directly onto the floor, as it seeps into the structures faster than you can dry it.
- Falling asleep in the shower: Showering while intoxicated can be dangerous. At Hoas, several cases of water damage have occurred when a tenant fell asleep in the shower and blocked the drain.
- Portable air conditioner: In hot weather, many tenants use portable air conditioners to cool their apartments. Make sure you know how to use it correctly before turning it on. The unit condenses moisture into water – make sure the condensate water does not leak out of the unit and onto the floor.
Always report water damage to Hoas
Water damage almost always requires quick action to prevent more extensive harm. If you notice water where it shouldn’t be, try to minimize the damage by drying the water as best you can and report it immediately:
- For sudden and rapidly escalating situations, always call Hoas customer service, or outside customer service hours, call Securitas 24/7 maintenance emergency service. See contact details.
- For smaller leaks, defects, or suspicions, submit a fault report in MyHoas.
Home insurance is your protection
Good preparedness and care can prevent water damage, but not completely. Home insurance covers damage caused by sudden and unforeseen events. As a tenant, you are responsible for obtaining your own home insurance. At Hoas, home insurance is mandatory if your apartment has a dishwasher or washing machine.
Home insurance also protects you if water damage spreads to a neighboring apartment and you are liable for the damage. Water damage may also originate from a neighboring apartment and affect your home. That’s why it’s important to prepare for risks that are beyond your control.
Thank you for caring!