Preventing water damage

Preventative maintenance

The best way to prevent water damage is to be proactive — make a habit of regular maintenance and inspection.

Learn where your water shutoffs are

Rule number one for preventing water damage: know how to shut off the water in the event of an emergency.

Every home has a master water valve that controls water for the entire building.

• Detached houses/townhouses: you’ll usually find it somewhere in the basement or crawlspace (if you have one). Typically, the valve is closer to the front of the house, because that’s where it’s connected to the public supply.
• Apartments/condos: most apartment-style homes have individual shutoffs. They’re often located in the main bathroom, under the sink. It may be behind an access panel. If not, make sure to check with your building management to learn how to shutoff water to your unit.

Once you’ve located the master shutoff valve, practice using it. Time is of the essence when you’re dealing with water leakage.

Individual water-using appliances usually have shutoff valves for their own supply, too. If you know an appliance is leaking, you can also shut off its specific water valve.

Regularly inspect appliance connections

At least once each year, check the condition of the hoses and fittings attached to your washing machine, fridge, dishwasher, and toilets. Look for signs of stiffness, cracking, rust, bubbling, and (of course) signs of moisture on or around the hoses.

Plastic hoses harden over time, increasing the risk that they will crack and burst. If you have any appliances with plastic hoses or fittings, invest in metal alternatives. This is particularly true with low-cost, easy-install bidet attachments — they often come with cheap hoses and fittings that fail quickly.

Before installing any new hoses or fittings, disable the water supply to the unit you’re working on.

Pack up the basement

If you use your basement for storage, place important or vulnerable items in waterproof containers. Basements are squarely in the line of fire for water damage, as they can suffer damage from leakage on any of the upper floors (not to mention weather-related flooding or infiltration).

Check your hot water heater

Check your hot water heater periodically for signs of wear and tear or leakage. Replacing your unit when signs of age and deterioration begin to appear is key. Most hot water heaters have a lifespan of about 10 years.²

Watch for leaks, and not just obvious ones. Grab a flashlight and check all around and underneath the unit. Pay attention to the noises your water heater makes; rumbling, whining, or the appearance of any noise it didn’t use to make are signs that the unit is nearing the end of its useful life.

Install protective systems

Leak detection systems automatically shut off your main water supply if they detect water running for longer than usual, or if you have programmed them to indicate you’re out of the home or on vacation. They can help mitigate the damage from slower leaks that don’t make themselves obvious right away, or leaks that spring up while you’re out of the house — they’re fantastic devices. Your home insurance provider may also provide a discount for installing such systems.

If any part of your home is below grade (underground) consider installing a sump pump if you don’t already have one. Sump pumps sit in the lowest part of the home and start removing water as soon as it accumulates.

Finally, look at adding a backwater valve to your home as well. These valves only allow wastewater to flow away from the house, not in. They’ll stop water backups arising from overcharged municipal wastewater systems.

Clear your eavestroughs and drains

Regularly remove any debris from your eavestroughs and perimeter drain systems. If there are any city storm drains in front of your property, keep those clear, too. Make sure any interior drains, especially those in the basement, are clear as well. While you’re clearing, inspect these systems for signs of wear and tear.

In the event of a flood or heavy rainfall, these steps will help ensure that water drains away from your property instead of into your basement. If you often find pooling water on your property, consider hiring a landscaping contractor to improve the grading.

Check your toilets

If you live in a home built before 1992, check for potentially faulty Crane toilets that were manufactured between 1980 and 1991. Remove the toilet tank lid and look for the eight-digit serial number stamped into the tank. If it starts with “V” and the third and fourth digits are between 80 and 91, consider replacing your toilet.

Crane brand toilets manufactured during this period could have a defect which makes the tank more susceptible to shattering. This can cause significant water damage, especially if it occurs while you are not home.

Get insured

Check your home insurance policy wordings to determine whether your home insurance has any requirements related to water coverage that may apply while you’re away from home. For example, some providers require your pipes to be drained and that a friend or relative visits the property to confirm the heat is maintained.

When it comes to water damage arising from pipes, hoses, or anything else inside the house, insurance usually covers the damage when it is sudden and accidental. That is, it’s not the result of wear and tear, gradual leakage, or persistent moisture issues. For weather-related water damage, it’s not so clear cut — make sure you know what your policy covers, and ask your provider if you’re unsure about anything.

Damage mitigation

Despite your best efforts, sometimes things go wrong. If there’s water in your home where there shouldn’t be, here’s what you need to know:

Shut off the water supply

First, it’s important not to panic. Shut off the main water supply, then quickly assess the damage. Take any action possible to prevent further damage from occurring. In the event your toilet overflows, locate and turn off the toilet’s water supply. The toilet’s water supply line and shut-off valve is usually located directly behind the toilet seat.

Contact your insurance provider

Call your insurance provider as soon as possible. Generally, water damage claims are considered emergencies, and you should hear back from your adjuster within a few hours. The adjuster will be able to help you determine the best course of action.

Wait for experts if the water is not clear

If there’s a chance that grey or black water might be in the mix, stay away from it; resist the temptation to salvage your possessions. You’ll risk contaminating more of your home and may cause even more damage. Leave this job to the experts. Grey water is wastewater from sinks, showers, dishwashers and other water-using appliances. Black water is contaminated with human waste.

If the water is clear, remove as many belongings as possible from the area to avoid more damage to your personal property.

Avoid electrical shock

If there’s a chance that electrical appliances have been exposed to water, be sure not to touch them.

If the water damage is caused by an opening in your home, like a tree crashing through a window, be aware that there may also have been wires knocked down — again, these are the types of things your claims adjuster is trained to manage.

Evacuate if needed

In severe cases, especially during an ongoing weather event, you may need to leave your house entirely. If that’s the case, take only essentials with you (like a grab-and-go bag).

Depending on the situation, you may not be able to return to your home for a while — especially if there has been black water contamination. If your home insurance is covering the damage, you should have access to additional living expenses coverage to help you while you’re away from home.

Water damage prevention checklist

To help you prevent water damage, ask yourself the following questions. If you’re unsure of the answers, check the advice column. If you’d like to print or save the checklist, you can download the checklist as a pdf.

Your house

1. Where is the main water shut-off located? Usually located in a utility space near where the main water line enters the house. Often placed “on grade”. So, if in the basement, look around eye level. If on the main floor, look down near the floor. Or, look for an access panel if the valve is behind drywall.

If there is a water leak, shut off the main water supply, and keep it off while repairs are being done. Remember that some insurance providers may ask that you shut off your water supply when away from home for a significant length of time, like a vacation.

1. Do you have a water leak detection system? Usually located in a utility space near where the main water line enters the house. Various types are available. Many models can be set to shut off the water if it’s running for an unusual amount of time, which can prevent your entire property from being flooded, especially if you’re away from home.
2. Does your home have copper plumbing? Copper plumbing is considered the gold-standard. It’s longer-lasting and less fragile than other systems.
3. Is there any galvanized steel or Poly B plumbing in your home? Both systems are prone to leaking over time. Consider upgrading to copper for peace of mind. You may also receive a discount on your home insurance policy.
4. Is your computer on a shelf (or desk), not on the floor? Water can quickly ruin a computer. Make sure all components are above floor level.
5. Are important papers kept on shelves, not on the floor? If you store important papers in the basement, place them in water-tight containers to prevent damage in the event of flood.

Your kitchen

1. Where is the kitchen water shut-off located? Look under the sink for 1 or 2 valves (1 for cold, 1 for hot) in older homes, or a single small lever in newer homes. If any appliances spring a leak, or if you’re doing any plumbing repairs in the kitchen, be sure to turn off the water supply.
2. Are there braided steel hoses on the dishwasher and any other appliances holding water? Regular rubber hoses are prone to break down over time, especially in the presence of hot water and household chemicals like bleach. Braided steel hoses are much longer lasting.

Your bathroom

1. Where is the bathroom sink water shut-off located? Look under the sink for 2 valves (1 for cold, 1 for hot) in older homes, or a single small lever in newer homes. If you notice dampness under your bathroom sink, you may have a leak. Turn off the water supply when making repairs, or if there is a sudden large leak.
2. Where is the water shut-off for the toilet? Look under the toilet or against the wall for flexible metal tubing. Turn the handle clockwise until it stops. (Just don’t use excessive force.)
3. Where is the water shut-off for the bath tub? This is often found in a wall or tub access panel. If you can’t locate this, you will need to shut off the main water supply.
4. Are there any leaks around the faucet? This could indicate the O-ring needs replacing.
5. Are there any leaks around your toilet? There could be seals that need replacing. Crane toilets manufactured between 1980 and 1991 tend to crack and can cause significant water damage.

Your basement

1. When was the hot water tank replaced? Hot water tanks generally have a life expectancy of 15 years.
2. When did you last check your hot water tanks for signs of leaking? Aim to do this at least annually. If you notice any leaks, you may want to replace your tank before it fails. Alternatively, consider a tankless system to save on energy bills.
3. Where is the shut-off valve for the washing machine? Usually the valves are exposed above and behind the unit. Turn both valves clockwise. If you can’t see the valves, slide out the machine to see if they are located on the base at the rear.
4. Are there braided steel hoses on the washing machine? Regular rubber hoses are prone to deterioration over time, especially in the presence of hot water and household chemicals like bleach. Braided steel hoses are much longer lasting.
5. When did you last check your washing machine hoses for leaks or kinks? Again, try to do this annually as kinks can cause the rubber to crack. You may need to move the machine further away from the wall to expose the hoses. All hoses should be replaced periodically. If a rubber hose is beginning to feel rigid or brittle, it’s time to replace.
6. Are important papers kept on shelves, not on the floor? If you store important papers in the basement (or main floor if no basement), placing them on a shelf above ground can prevent damage in a flood.
7. Do you have a backwater valve? This will prevent water from backing up into your home, when municipal sewer systems become overloaded.
8. Does your home have a sump pump? This is very important if you live in an area prone to sewer back-ups.
9. If your home has a basement, are there any signs of water damage on the wall? If yes, check that downspouts are directed away from the home, and that there is no blockage in eavestroughs (gutters). Perimeter drains may need replacing. Walls may need to be waterproofed.

Your exterior

1. Have you checked window wells to see if they are draining properly? If the window wells are not draining properly, water can back up in a heavy rain, and enter the home through the basement windows.
2. Are eavestroughs (gutters) being cleaned annually? Eavestroughs tend to clog up with leaves and debris. This can cause water to enter the house.
3. Are downspouts directed away from the home? Consider adding an extension to the downspout to make sure water drains well away from the home.
4. Is your yard graded so that rain water runs away from the house? If the yard slopes towards your house, any rainwater will run directly towards your house, putting pressure on your perimeter drains.

If you have any questions about your house insurance policy or your water damage coverage, review your policy documents or contact your provider directly.

Sources

1. Government of Canada. “The cost of floods.” canada.ca, 7 Jul. 2022, www.canada.ca/en/campaign/flood-ready/know-the-risks/cost-floods.html
2. Gromicko, Nick, and Barry Fowler. “Estimating the Lifespan of a Water Heater.” nachi.org, www.nachi.org/lifespan-water-heater.htm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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