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- Replace old water heaters. Water heaters do damage when they get too old and the tank rusts and bursts, allowing water to pour into adjacent rooms. On average, water heaters last 10 to 12 years. Don't wait for them to fail; replace your tank once a decade. Today's energy-efficient systems will also be cheaper to operate.
- Switch to stainless steel hoses: Consider replacing standard rubber or plastic hoses with stainless steel-braided or mesh hoses. Worn out hoses with kinks, cracks or bulges need to be replaced immediately.
- Don't leave dishwashers and washing machines running if you leave the house. If something breaks while a home owner is away, what could have been a small mop-up job often turns into a thousand-gallon mess best left to professionals.
- Check attic air conditioners and swamp coolers. When attic systems fail, water damages everything that lies below. At least once a year, go up to the attic or roof to check these appliances before they wear out. Look for wear and tear and loose connections -- particularly if the unit is mounted on the roof and exposed to sun and rain.
- Consider water alarms: Home owners can install water alarms for a quick alert when an appliance isn't working right. Hooking up the system to an appliance is usually as simple as hooking up a hose to an outdoor faucet.
* Information above was gathered from www.homeownernet.com
