Few things will sink the serenity you achieve during a vacation faster than coming home to find your basement flooded. We know this from experience, as a client recently returned from a trip to discover that a burst pipe had been furiously gushing water out into their basement for a week.
If you live in Toronto, water usage is metered, (as it is in most large city centers across Canada) With a metered system, any leak, no matter how small, can quickly drive up your water bill. Experts note that even tiny so-called “invisible leaks” can easily bleed away a significant amount of water, and a burst pipe running for just a few hours can potentially flood a home from top to bottom. You may eventually get an alert from the municipality, but by that time that happens, many in this predicament find themselves in deep water financially with the utility company.
Chances are you are looking at a few thousand dollars in your utility bill alone, unless you can convince the water utility company to take pity on you and adjust the bill. But by no means is this an easy task. So far, as per the City’s guidelines on these matters, you must submit various documents such as a confirmation of your age and income, a licensed plumber’s letter of inspection, proof that your water meter is free of defects, proof you weren't home such as airline ticket receipts, and evidence that the leak was not in your control.
Issues around leaks can be of particular concern for sellers whose houses are sitting empty due to marriage breakdown, death, a job transfer, etc. One of the easiest things to do is to shut off the water and put a "Do not use the washrooms" sign up in the home so prospective buyers avoid using the water.
In one instance, a Realtor recalls his “worst water leak story ever,” involving buyers who didn’t get their own home inspection but instead, against his advice, used an inspection report provided by the sellers that was a year old. Within a few months of his clients moving in, heavy rain caused their basement to flood. The neighbours informed them that this was a common occurrence and was, in fact, the reason the previous owners sold the house.
Tips from the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating on how to troubleshoot begin with the obvious: keep an eye out for drips. “This is a hot topic,” says the organization’s CEO, Satinder Chera, explaining that a hefty percentage of insurance claims stem from water damage. “The problem can be costly, not to mention that if left untreated, water damage can develop into a mould issue with real health risks.”
In his experience, the most common source of water leaks tends to be burst faucets, toilets or appliance supply lines.
“When vacationing, the best way to prevent potential water leaks is to shut off your incoming water service valve, which is typically right by your water meter,” says Chera. “If you do that, make sure to also turn off your hot water heater.”
There are numerous products available to help with detecting and managing potential leaks, he continues, including automated shutoff valves.
If you end up having to make an insurance claim, be aware that only certain types of water damage are covered under a standard policy, explains Rob de Pruis, a national director with the Insurance Bureau of Canada. For instance, sudden and unexpected plumbing leaks are covered. But sewer backup and flooding from heavy rain aren’t — for those, you generally need additional optional coverage.
“If a supply line under a sink has been leaking for years and bursts, that’s not covered,” adds de Pruis. Normal wear-and-tear isn’t insurable, so the big message is “maintain your property,” he emphasizes.
An insurance claim may also be denied if the owners didn’t have anyone checking on the home regularly in their absence. Depending on the insurer, in these cases, the homeowner is expected to have someone stop by the property at least once or twice a week.
As for water damage due to floods, inspect your basement walls for cracks. Know that if you see a little water now that will likely turn into a lot of water in the future. Remediation of the issue is very important. This can be done by exterior waterproofing or crack repair. Exterior waterproofing (or sometimes known as external waterproofing) repairs your leaky basement from the outside. The process requires exposing the foundation and applying the necessary waterproofing material to create a system that will redirect and disperse water away from your foundation walls. Alternatively, depending on the extent of the damage and the type of foundation, you can repair the crack using an epoxy injection.
Bottom line: keep an eye out for drips in plumbing, cracks in your basement, and turn off the water when you are away for an extended period of time.
