Protecting your home from water damage.

Here are five tips to help prevent water damage in your home.

1. Check hoses and faucets on a regular basis. Experts recommend checking hoses that lead to your washing machine, dishwasher and refrigerator on an annual basis, looking for cracks or water leaks.

2. Check showers and tubs. Make sure the seal around your shower(s) and tub(s) are watertight. If you see cracks in the seal, replace it. If you use a shower curtain, make sure the bottom of it always falls inside the shower tray or bath to avoid water splashing onto the floor and walls.

3. Know where and how to shut off your water main. If a pipe suddenly bursts in your home, it is important to know how to shut off the water supply.

4. Consider purchasing ‘point of leak’ water alarms. Water alarms work like smoke alarms. When water is detected in a specific area, an alarm is triggered, warning you of a water threat. These sensors can be placed in basements, laundry rooms, bathrooms and/or kitchens.

5. Report signs of leaks. If you're a tenant, report any signs of leaks as soon as you find it. If you’re a landlord, it’s a good idea to encourage your tenants to report signs of leaks early so these can be fixed before they cause damage.

The tips on this page are a brief summary only of general information.

Westpac Home, Contents, Vehicle and Boat insurance cover is arranged by Westpac New Zealand Limited (“Westpac”) and underwritten by IAG New Zealand Limited (“IAG”). None of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141, Westpac, or any member of the Westpac group of companies guarantee the obligations of, or any products issued by IAG. Westpac will receive commission payments as a result of the arrangement of IAG policies. See IAG's financial strength rating.

The material on this webpage is provided for information purposes only and is not a recommendation or opinion in relation to an insurance product. The information on this webpage does not take your particular financial situation or goals into account.

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