The trend that most water damage occurs in the kitchen seems to be continuing.
For the sixth year in a row, the kitchen is the most affected place in the home, and in 2023 the number of kitchen water damages was the highest for several years.
This is shown by a new report from the Water Damage Centre.
A total of 35,000 water damages were reported to Swedish insurance companies last year, and several of the damages have cost “millions”, says Pierre Lundborg, director of operations at Vattenskadecenturm.
– If you get water damage at home, you will be greatly affected. You may not have a kitchen for a long time and in the worst case you may have to move to a new home temporarily.
According to the report, the kitchen equipment is the big culprit in the drama. Appliances that are less than 10 years old in particular have problems with leakage.
– The refrigerator is a common cause of water damage, but so are the dishwasher and the freezer. It is sad that some international manufacturers do not adapt the products to our building legislation.
This is how you avoid water damage
Despite problems with leaking equipment, most of the cases could have been avoided, according to the Water Damage Centre. Today, many households have the wrong protection against water damage, or no protection at all.
Pierre Lundborg’s simplest trick to avoid leaks in the kitchen is to regularly clean the condensation hole in the refrigerator with a brush. Then waterproof layers under the dishwasher and the sink are crucial.
– Otherwise, it is difficult to detect leaks, especially drip leaks. It is the small, hard-to-detect leaks that can cause the greatest water damage over a long period of time.
His last, but perhaps most important tip, is to keep an eye on the built-in wiring systems. The majority of all water damage in 2023 was caused by old and rusty piping systems. On average, the lines last 20 to 50 years, but many line systems today are much older than that.
– It is important but difficult to see the condition of built-in wiring, so get the help of a professional the next time you renovate, says Pierre Lundborg.