Insurance companies almost always push back on gradual leaks—seen it a hundred times. They’ll cover a sudden burst, but anything slow, they call “maintenance.” Drives me nuts. I’ve had customers win if they can prove the leak was hidden and not obvious, but it’s rare. Ever had an adjuster actually come out and spot something you missed? Sometimes they catch stuff even I overlook...
Insurance companies almost always push back on gradual leaks—seen it a hundred times. They’ll cover a sudden burst, but anything slow, they call “maintenance.” Drives me nuts.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think it makes sense most of the time. If you’ve got a slow drip under the sink for months, that’s not really on the insurance company. Maintenance is part of owning a house. Now, hidden leaks behind walls? That’s a different story, and I’ve seen adjusters actually help homeowners there—caught a slab leak once that nobody noticed until the floor buckled. Still, I’d rather see folks stay on top of the little stuff before it turns into a nightmare.
Honestly, I’ve seen folks ignore a tiny drip for ages and then act shocked when the cabinet’s rotted out. Insurance isn’t gonna cover that—makes sense to me. But yeah, hidden leaks are a different beast. Had one customer who didn’t even know there was a problem until their hardwood started warping... by then, it was a mess. Regular checks save a lot of headaches (and cash) down the road.
I get what you mean about ignoring small leaks—seen it a bunch during ride-alongs. One time, we got called out for “a little water under the sink,” but when we pulled the kick plate, the whole bottom was mush. The homeowner thought it was just a spill from mopping... nope. Ended up needing a new cabinet and some drywall patching, which wasn’t cheap.
I’ve started doing a quick check at home every couple months: look under sinks, behind the toilet, around the water heater. If I spot anything damp or smell that musty odor, I try to figure out where it’s coming from right away. It’s wild how fast water can mess things up if you let it go.
Honestly, I’m still surprised how much repairs can cost. Even a small leak can turn into thousands if it’s hidden. Makes me wonder if it’s worth investing in those leak detectors you stick under appliances... anyone tried those?
Leak detectors are actually a solid investment, especially if you’ve got older plumbing or appliances. I’ve seen them save folks from major headaches—caught a slow drip under a dishwasher once before it turned into a full-blown mess. They’re not perfect, but for the price, they can pay for themselves the first time they catch something early. Just make sure to test the batteries every now and then... learned that one the hard way.
