Plumbing precautions can save a ton of money

A burst water pipe can cause every bit as much damage as a major house fire, but by taking some simple and inexpensive precautions, homeowners can avoid such costly problems.

Some of those precautions may involve hiring a professional plumber, but Bruce Moore, who has owned Quogue Plumbing and Heating for nearly two decades, says that spending a few hundred dollars now can save thousands of dollars in damage from an avoidable catastrophe later.

“It’s not just the money that it will take to fix the damage, but there’s also the loss of personal items, like photographs, that are gone forever,” Mr. Moore said.

A Quogue family recently experienced the repercussions of a burst pipe, which flooded the entire first floor of their home, displacing his clients until the damage was fixed, he said.

“They had these beautiful oak floors, which just buckled from the water and had to be entirely replaced. So there’s not just the time and money to fix the damage, but there’s also time lost in your house while the repairs are being made,” Mr. Moore said.

Hardy homeowners who are willing to take the time and effort can perform much of the precautionary work themselves, but when it comes to plumbing, unless there is a vast knowledge of the craft and an ability to solder, the bigger jobs are best left to the professionals.

One thing that anyone can easily do to avoid water disasters is to upgrade the water hose leading to the washing machine. A burst hose on a washing machine is one of the leading causes of water damage, and can destroy a home in just one day. Washing machine hose failures cause about $150 million in damage to homes in the United States each year, according to home insurance industry sources.

“A regular black rubber hose can develop a bubble, like the inner tube of a tire,” Mr. Moore explained. “That’s the only thing holding the water back, and once that explodes, it starts cascading water all over. But people never bother to look behind the machine to check these hoses.”

New hoses come with a stainless steel mesh wrapped around the rubber tubing. Like steel belted radial tires, the metal mesh keeps the rubber from expanding as it gets older. Rubber, like skin, tends to loss elasticity with time. Even the best stainless steel wrapped hoses should eventually be replaced, but nowhere near as soon as their all-rubber counterparts.

Washing machine hoses can be purchased at most home repair centers, hardware stores and plumbing supply outlets. Several thicknesses and types of washing machine hoses are available.

There are also hoses on the market that have pre-formed metal elbows at the ends that attach to the washing machine. These rigid elbows prevent the hoses from kinking.

Stainless steel-wrapped hoses generally cost between $10 and $30 for a pair. Two are needed, one for the hot water line, and one for the cold water line.

When choosing the hoses, it’s best to talk to a salesperson to understand the pros and cons of each type of hose. As with most things, you get what you pay for.

Changing washing machine hoses is as easy as hooking up a hose to a water spigot.

First, shut off the water supply to the washing machine. If there’s not a shutoff near the washer, close the main shutoff valve to the house. Then unscrew the old hoses and screw on the new ones, being careful to keep the hoses free of kinks and tight bends. It’s also important to line up the threads properly. Stripping a hose thread could mean disaster.

Tape dope, a waterproof sealant that typically comes in small rolls like regular tape, is also a good idea. Just ask a hardware or plumbing supplier for it.

Simply wrap the thin white tape two or three times around the thread of the pipe nipple and screw the hoses on tightly. It’s best to just hand-tighten the hose connections. Pliers could bend the hose connection casing and cause a leak.

When the hoses are attached, turn on the water supply and check carefully for leaks.

Remember, water damage from even the smallest leak can cause residual problems such as mold and insect infestations. If a leak does happen, make sure that all areas affected by water damage are dried thoroughly and aired out.

Wet wood can attract unwanted guests like termites and carpenter ants. Many of the homes on Long Island are wood structures that were built quite a few years ago and are vulnerable to this residual water damage if not treated properly.

A professional plumber can discuss other products, such as water hammer arrestors, which may lessen the chances of washing machine hoses breaking. These devices absorb the increased water pressure that comes when the electric valve in a washing machine or dishwasher closes. Water hammer arrestors can also eliminate that booming sound in a house when the water is suddenly turned off. A professional plumber should install these arrestors as soldering is involved. A decent plumber will charge around $200 for the installation, including parts.

Many new homes come with a shut-off valve to the washing machine. If a washing machine does not have one, plumbing experts say it’s a good idea to get one. It will cost around $200, including parts, for a reputable professional plumber to install. It’s also a good idea to get in the habit of turning off the valve when the washing machine is not in use, according to some experts. Even if a washing machine is not running, without one of these valves in the shut-off mode, a hose can burst and the water will flow.

For the homeowner who is going to be away for the winter, Mr. Moore strongly recommends hiring a caretaker to periodically check the house. Reputable caretakers generally charge around $30 a month to make bi-monthly inspections of a home, especially the plumbing.

Mr. Moore noted that some insurance companies might not cover water damage unless there is proof that a caretaker has been looking after the home. “It shows the insurance company 
that you did everything humanly 
possible to avoid the problem,” he 
said.

When thinking about how to avoid potential plumbing problems, the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” says it best.