My New Apartment Had Thousands Worth of Water Damage, Here’s What I Wish I Knew Before It Flooded

Ahead, these industry pros share what steps you can take to shield your home from flooding and other forms of water damage. As I type this from my new mold-free digs with a fresh installation of hardwood floors, trust me when I say you should put this advice into action—your future self will be so glad you did. (Note: It still helps to follow the steps outlined below, but always check your homeowners’ insurance to see what might be covered.)

1. Install a water sensor next to your HVAC unit

Ding, ding, ding! This is an absolute must for me for every home I move into from here on out. Had the previous residents had this set up in our home, there’s a very good chance that the HVAC unit in the bedroom that caused the flood would have automatically shut down once water levels reached a certain threshold. “These water sensors detect excess water and can automatically shut off your HVAC system to prevent flooding,” Fleming says.

2. Set up water sensors in other key areas of your home

In addition to installing smart water sensors near HVAC units, Panasyuk highly recommends putting these devices underneath sinks and near the water heater. “These sensors detect leaks early and can even send alerts to your phone, helping you act before the issue escalates,” he says.

As highlighted above, some of the more sophisticated water sensor systems can shut off the water supply automatically when they detect significant leaks. Along with this proactive step being beneficial for frequent travelers and rental property owners, having these sensors is particularly valuable if the leak occurs in lesser-used areas such as a basement bathroom or utility room sink.

For people who often travel for business or pleasure, Panasyuk also suggests shutting off the water supply to your home whenever you’re leaving for an extended period of time. “Many leaks happen when no one is around to catch them early,” he adds.

3. Hire a professional to inspect your plumbing and HVAC system

As Panasyuk puts it, prevention begins with routine maintenance. “Hiring an experienced, licensed contractor to perform an annual plumbing and HVAC inspection can identify potential vulnerabilities before they lead to flooding,” he explains while citing examples as diverse as an aging water heater corroding and bursting or a clogged condensate line in your HVAC system overflowing. (Take it from this plumbing pro who has seen “everything under the sun” relating to water damage.)

A professional inspection includes checks for pipe leaks, appliance connections, and even drainage issues around your home’s foundation, Panasyuk adds. Fleming also calls this task essential. “An experienced HVAC technician can identify potential issues such as worn out pipes, clogged drains, or leaks before they escalate into bigger problems,” he says.

In Provision Property Restoration’s greater Atlanta region, the cost for an inspection ranges from $100 to $300, depending on the level of service you request. Prices vary by area, but you can check with local contractors or use sites like Angi to get accurate quotes.

4. Don’t forget to check your washing machine hose

According to Panasyuk, a burst washing machine hose is one of the most overlooked causes of water damage. “These hoses are under constant pressure and over time they can weaken and crack,” he explains. “Given that they’re usually hidden out of sight and forgotten, they can gradually worsen over time without ever being noticed.”