Archive for March, 2012

Take preventive measures to lower your risk of water damage

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

Home insurance is one thing that everyone needs, but hopes they will never have to use.

Many homeowners assume that purchasing this necessary policy will be a costly decision, but this is not always the case. Insurance companies often provide substantial discounts to policyholders who take preventive measures. In fact, they reward such behavior by offering a lower premium rate when owners take simple steps such as installing a burglar alarm or indoor sprinkler system in case of fire. These discounted rates encourage behavior that reduces the number and cost of claims.

Industry experts encourage homeowners to ask their agent which types of cost-saving measures are available and if the system is company approved.

One way to ensure the health of your property, while also receiving potential insurance discounts, is by conducting an annual leak inspection home audit of your plumbing infrastructure. American Leak Detection offers a curb to back fence 15+ point checklist inspection when an expert technician can examine every area of your property for potential problems before issues arise. Many leaks are hidden beneath the surface or behind walls and are not visible until water, stains or mold surface.

It’s important to be aware of the fact that floods are not covered by a standard home insurance policy. You can take preventative measures today to reduce your insurance costs and avoid a headache later.

For more information, check out this informational video describing different types of homeowners insurance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GQ1MH7iCQrE#!

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Homebuyers beware: Your dream home may have a secret leak

Monday, March 19th, 2012

You have finally found the home of your dreams: a 2-acre piece of heaven with cathedral ceilings in the living room and a giant playroom for the children.

After moving in, you noticed a few patched areas on the walls and a little mildew around the shower. But every older home has that, right?

These seemingly minor problems could be the sign of a major undetected leak or structural plumbing damage. At times, you run into situations where old pipes have corroded or leaks have formed because the pipes were poorly installed the first time. These examples may not stand in the way of buying a house, but they should be reflected in the price of the property.

Warning Signs

Sellers are very unlikely to divulge information about past or present leak issues, so it’s your responsibility to search for evidence that may suggest a problem. First, you need to know where to look. Leaks often hide in hot and cold plumbing pipes, sewer and drain systems, shut-off valves, sink countertops, hot water heaters, sinks, tubs or showers and natural gas, propane or heating oil systems. Pools, spas and lawn sprinkler systems are also problem areas.

Next, you must know what to look for. A gas leak can be discovered with the smell of gas or a high gas bill. Water leaks are less obvious, but there are some telltale signs. Watch for:

-Patched areas in the drywall or plaster, exposed concrete or tile, or the pool deck (this shows a history of past leaks.)

-Cracks in the shower pan, foundation, pool, deck or other exposed concrete

-Mildew around shower doors, under cabinets or near any water-using appliances

-Buckling or bending woodwork, flooring or drywall

-Running toilets, dripping faucets or the sound of running water when nothing is on

-Unusually wet or moist areas in the yard, often with thriving grass or plants

-Loose of falling tiles in a pool or spa

-A settling of the entire pool or spa structure into the ground

If you notice any of these problems, ask the property owner or agent for any records indicating the home’s plumbing, sewer or leak history. With these records now in hand, you can investigate the extent of the problem.

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Fixing leaks is crucial to preserving property value

Friday, March 9th, 2012

If or when you experience a leak problem in your home or office, it’s critical to both your wallet and your long-term property value that you take the necessary steps to solve your problem. You don’t want the issue creeping up on you again in 1, 3, of five years.

Finding the right people and good advice is extremely valuable when you’re dealing with a potentially costly leak. A great starting point for this information is typically your insurance company or homeowner’s association. These entities handle property issues on a daily basis.

What will they recommend you do in a leaking emergency? Take responsibility for your property. In other words, do whatever it takes to alleviate damage to your property- and do it quickly.

-Turn the building’s water off if water is surfacing from under your concrete floor.

-If the water leakage occurs whenever you use a fixture such as the shower, stop using it until the problem is identified and repaired.

-Contact your insurer. They can recommend a preferred service company whom they have found provides accurate, reasonably priced and efficient services.

-Take photos of the problem before, during and after the discovery and repair process. At times, your adjuster isn’t able to personally see the site during the problem stages. Your pictures, along with those taken by the leak detection company, can help in the decision making process.

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Leak Detection has gone to the dogs

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

American Leak Detection of Daytona Beach Owners Terry and Carol Bachi are attracting the admiration of large crowds during the monthly Daytona Beach Downtown First Friday Festivals. Their leak technician’s family pet, a Great Dane named Keeper, has donned an American Leak Detection canine vest to wear as he meanders through the crowds. Ultimately attracting onlookers and pointing them to the company’s business booth, Keeper proves to be quite the attention grabber.

“We started dressing him up just for fun and now people say they look forward to seeing him every time,” said Carol Bachi. “It’s like walking around with a movie star; everyone stops and marvels at his size and asks to pet him or get photos.”

Although Keeper may not be the “official” corporate mascot for the company just yet, his resume has been submitted!

The Bachi’s have owned and managed the Daytona Beach territory since 1997 where they offer leak detection services in Volusia and Flagler Counties. They have been awarded eight Quality Customer Service Awards since 1998.

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