What Are the Most Frequently Occurring Types of Residential Property Damage?

What Are the Most Frequently Occurring Types of Residential Property Damage?

Have you ever wondered about the main causes of damage in the home requiring owners to file a claim with their insurance company?

 

We’ve listed a few below, including what you can do to prevent them from happening in your home. Better safe than sorry!

Minor Kitchen Fires

A fire will rarely fully destroy a property. It is usually quickly put out with the aid of a fire extinguisher or by the fire service, thankfully. However, the flames can still cause damage.

Fires often start in the kitchen. Cooking oil, because it is flammable, is particularly dangerous. A cloth can also catch fire if it touches a hot burner. This is why you should never leave a stove on unattended. It is equally recommended that you use a fryer to fry food as this appliance is much safer than a pot or pan. Here’s a tip! Make sure you purchase a CSA or ULC approved fryer.

And always have a fire extinguisher on hand!



Water Damage in the Bathroom

The bathroom is particularly vulnerable to damage because of its maze of pipes and water outlets. We only have to think of a tub overflowing as a result of inattentiveness, a dripping pipe beneath the sink or a malfunctioning toilet. This type of mishap can lead to expensive repairs since it can affect the flooring, the walls, and the furniture. The mess can even spread into adjoining rooms!

Therefore, care must be taken to avoid water damage. For example, never leave the bath to fill unattended. It is also a good idea to inspect the pipes under the sink and around the shower fixtures to ensure they are watertight.

Broken Home Appliances’ Plumbing

The laundry machine and dishwasher are two of the home appliances that, as they get old, can cause water damage. For example, their systems can begin to rust, their fittings can crack, or their pipes can deteriorate. Consequently, water can start gushing out when they are turned on!

It is recommended that the water supply valves be shut off if you are going to be away from your home. Moreover, these appliances should never be left running while no one is in the house. An additional prevention tip is to regularly check that the appliances’ pipes are in good condition and carry out repairs as necessary (no need to replace everything).


Barbecue Hazards

For many families, barbecuing is a summer tradition. But using this cooking device is not without risk, especially the gas models. For example, it might cause the building’s or shed’s exterior cladding to melt if placed too close to the house. An explosion may also occur, damaging the residence or garden furniture.

Prevention is key! Always open the lid, the gas tank’s valve, and the burners before you press the ignition button. Furthermore, once you have finished cooking, make sure the pipes and tubes are free of gas by closing the tank’s valve before shutting off the burners.

The barbecue likewise requires special maintenance to avoid accidents, such as cleaning the tube burners each year with an appropriate brush.

Electric Fires

Electricity is one of the greatest developments of the modern age. And yet, its use comes with certain risks, especially regarding overloaded or poor-quality outlets.

To prevent fires, only one high consumption appliance should be plugged into a single electrical circuit at a time. Additionally, power strips should always be equipped with a surge protector that will shut off the connection if necessary.

Employing an extension cord is okay so long as it has been designed for the device it is powering and is not compressed (like beneath a carpet).

 

We hope this list of the most frequently occurring forms of property damage helps you feel safer in your home!

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.