:: Welcome to the Insurance Council of New Jersey ::

Reforming New Jersey's Automobile Insurance System: Five Years Later

Auto reform anniversary report shows auto premiums drop of three straight years.

Download a copy of the ICNJ Auto Reform Report

The sight of a leaky water heater flooding a basement or an overflowing sink in the laundry room is enough to make anyone see red. The costly damage and the time-consuming clean-ups associated with the water damage are frustrating, but even more so when considering the fact that these accidents can be avoided by taking simple preventative measures.

The following five tips are a few ways to help prevent water damage in the home:

Invest in a quality rubber hose for your clothes washer. Check washer hoses periodically for signs of deterioration and replace immediately if signs of cracking are visible.
Be familiar with the recommended maintenance procedures for your appliances and adhere to them. For example, drain the water heater on a regular basis.
When a plumber is at the house, ask him or her to conduct a quick check of appliances, drains, and pipes to ensure everything is working properly.
Be mindful of what goes down your drain - lint, grease, dirt, etc. Never wash heavy dirt down drains and don't put extremely dirty clothes in the clothes washer. Use plenty of water when operating the garbage disposal.
Consider purchasing a water detector for your home. The detector functions like a smoke detector, and will sounds an alarm when it detects a leak, allowing plenty of time to address a leak before serious damage occurs.