Water Shut-off Devices
Did you know that damage from a water leak that goes undetected may not be covered by your insurance policy? Imagine you are out of the country on vacation and your refrigerator water line starts leaking. You return home a week later to saturated, buckled floors and mold, but your insurance claim is denied for negligence.
What if the tenants in your rental property don't realize a toilet is leaking? The water bill is in the tenant's name so you don't get a high usage alert. By the time you find out, too much time has passed and you aren't eligible for a claim.
The #1 source of loss is water damage - not fire or theft. $2 Billion in water claims are filed every year and the average claim is $7,000. Hidden water leaks are a huge risk for homeowners.
A whole house water shut-off device can prevent costly damage and protect your claim eligibility. The device pairs with an app on your phone that alerts you if usage changes and will allow you to shut off the water from your phone. These devices are recommended for primary residences and second homes or investment properties, especially if they are out of state.
You would need a licensed plumber to install the device. Here are available shut-off devices on the market that you may want to consider:
The shut-off devices are expensive, so another option would be water leak sensors. These won’t prevent costly water damage, but they can at least alert you to leaks. There are many brands available, and here is the one I recently purchased for our Lake Keowee home:
