Some reasons why water damage claims are on the rise are the aging infrastructure of homes, an increase in extreme weather events, and better detection technology.

Water damage is one of the most expensive and common types of property damage that Americans have to deal with. According to RubyHome, 14,000 people experience water damage each day, and 1 in 60 insured homes make a claim for water or freezing damage each year. Water damage prevention starts with you, the homeowner.

There are many reasons why water damage claims are increasing year by year, and they have to do with environmental, economic, and structural factors. Understanding the increase in insurance claims can assist you in protecting your property and preventing water damage better.

Aging Infrastructure of Homes

Many homes and buildings in the United States are decades old, with the median age at 40 years old, according to Eye on Housing. These might look good on the surface with brand new paint jobs and other such upgrades, but their pipes, plumbing systems, and roofs are old and breaking down.

Even if a home looks well-maintained from the outside, internal systems like sewer lines, water heaters, and supply pipes may be at or near the end of their useful life. When these systems fail, they can result in a big water damage bill with extensive and expensive repairs. Consider this home restoration company in Boulder if you need water damage repairs.

The Rise of Extreme Weather Event

As global warming and other environmental factors change, extreme weather events are becoming more common. Heavy rainstorms, hurricanes, flash flooding, and rapid snow-melt events are more frequent in many regions.

When soil becomes saturated with extreme amounts of water, then foundations can shift, and roofs can leak. Intense storms can also overwhelm the drainage system and lead to basement flooding and exterior water intrusion.

This is even more true for those areas that aren't used to extreme rainfall events. The homes aren't used to draining such high amounts of water, resulting in water damage and insurance claims increase.

Better Detection Technology

Thankfully, modern technology is helping homeowners detect water damage or leaks more quickly than before. Devices like smart water sensors, automatic shutoff valves, and moisture meters alert owners to problems before they escalate.

Previously, without such devices in place, a lot of water leaks or other issues would go unnoticed for years or decades on end. Early detection leads to early reporting and, therefore, an increase in the amount of water damage claims submitted to insurance companies. This is better than submitting claims when the damage becomes visible to the eye and results in more expensive repairs.

Water Damage Claims Are On The Rise

The rise in water damage claims is due to a wide variety of factors, but all of this means that homeowners need to start taking more proactive steps to mitigate the risk of water damage in their own homes.

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