Air Matters LLC is just days into starting our 10th year in business – and it has been the busiest first week of January in company history. With the exception of one project, all of our testing this week has been as a result of sudden leaks that occurred in homes while people were away for the holidays.

State Farm Insurance estimates that damage to homes from ruptured pipes affects 250,000 families in the United States each year. Appliance malfunctions, particularly from washing machines and ice makers are other common culprits. What do you need to watch out for to help minimize the risk of coming home to a disaster?

Frozen Pipes

Insufficient or nonexistent insulation is the number one cause of frozen and burst pipes. Pipes, especially those that run along exterior walls, must be properly insulated to avoid freezing. Many older homes lack proper insulation and must be updated, while some homes in the southern United States lack insulation around pipes altogether.

“When pipes freeze, water expands and exerts over 2,000 pounds of force, causing cracks—regardless if the pipe is made of plastic, copper or steel,” says Ray VinZant, a plumber of 42 years and plumbing engineer for Roto-Rooter Group, Inc based in Cincinnati.

Washing Machine Hoses

According to State Farm Insurance, washing machine hose failures cause about $150 million in damage to homes in the United States and Canada each year. To reduce the chances that your hoses will fail, State Farm recommends that you:

• Make sure there are at least four inches (or 11 centimeters) between the water connection and the back of the washing machine. This space will help reduce the chances that the hose will kink.
• Regularly inspect your washing machine hoses. Replace hoses every 3-5 years as part of a proactive maintenance program.
• Keep track of the last time you inspected the hoses by jotting the "inspected" date on the hose or a magnet attached to the washing machine.
• Check that hose connections are secure, including the drain hose.
• Make sure everyone in your household knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Shut off water at valves if you will be away from your home for several days or longer.
• Consider installing or having a professional plumber install a single-handled valve that makes it easier to turn off the water supply to your washing machine.

Ice Maker Lines

Farm Bureau Insurance suggests that you consider the following tips to minimize the risk of your refrigerator or ice maker leaking:

• Proper installation of the icemaker supply line hose is important to avoiding water damage.
• Tightly connect the hose to the valve. Avoid over-tightening.
• Inspect the hose every six months. Ensure the valve connection is secure and check for kinks. If kinks are present, replace the hose.
• Leave a three to four inch space between the back of the refrigerator and the wall to prevent the hose from crimping.
• Locate the water shut-off valve. Inspect the valve every six months to make sure the water supply will shut off.

Sometimes despite your best preventative efforts, leaks sometimes still occur. If you have a water intrusion, shut off the water supply source immediately. Contact a water damage professional to remove standing water and all moist materials to minimize the risk of mold growth.