When water happens.

A photo I took in 2006 after local flooding

Water sometimes happens.  By that, I mean that water has a way of ending up where it's not supposed to be.  And it can come from anywhere.  High water tables affecting shorelines, overflowing streams, massive rainfalls or snow melts, or highly destructive tsunamis all account for overground water.  Structural issues that cause water problems include leaking roofs, burst pipes, foundation cracks, and floods from accidents like overflowing tubs.

My friend, Charles, and I have had to deal with numerous such issues over the years.  Burst pipes, leaky roofs, cracked foundations, heavy rains, rapid snow melts, and the occasional accident from overflowing toilets or leaky washing machines.  And every time we were forced to deal with it without the assistance of insurance.

It's not that we don't have house insurance.  We do.  However, the insurance companies of today are trying to reduce their liability by placing caveats in their policies.  No coverage for overground water.  No coverage for foundation cracks from settling.  Water damage requiring a deductible of $5000 or more.  Does your house have Poly B plumbing?  No insurance.  Do you live in a flood zone?  No overground water coverage.  Is your roof old, unmaintained, or of substandard construction?  No coverage in the event of leaks.

I can't blame them, after all, the companies are trying to keep their books out of the red, and our global warming problems are making that increasingly difficult.  So, unfortunately, it is up to us, the homeowner, to reduce risk.  We have done that by replacing all of the Poly B plumbing in our 1991 home.  We have put in six sump pumps (I have done three and Charles has done 3), one with battery backup, to prevent underground or overground water from getting in the house.  We have replaced roofs, filled cracks, replaced frozen lines, added insulation or heated lines, and tried to stay away from flood zones.  And even with all of that, we have had problems.

And the insurance companies never lifted a finger.

However, at the end of the day, we just have to do the best we can.  Prevention, planning, maintenance, and immediate action are all ways of preventing or mitigating disaster.  And even with all that, sometimes water just happens.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com


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