You Might Be Making 10 Common Mistakes

There is growing list of workplace torts that attract liability to both management and the organization.

Here are 10 common mistakes made by employers that create employment practices liability. Recognizing these identifiable pitfalls can tighten up your HR procedures and prevent a claim from happening.

1. Using improper interview questions can lead to a “failure to hire” claim.
2. Failing to conduct background checks.
3. Failure to recognize “protected” leave requests.
4. Ignoring the harassment-claim antidote.
5. Perpetuating questionable wage and hour practices.
6. Failing to appreciate the retaliation danger.
7. Failure to conduct proper performance evaluations.
8. Disciplining without documentation.
9. Disregarding policy when making employment decisions.
10. Failing to properly maintain records.

You Best Strategy in Mitigating these Risks is to:

• guard against these common mistakes with a comprehensive and updated HR policy;
• seek appropriate legal advice as required;
• expand your insurance portfolio to include employment practices liability insurance.

Tweet Read more...

Spend Your Remodelling Dollars Wisely

No doubt about it, remodelling is expensive. A bathroom remodel can quickly reach $10,000—and that's about where the most basic of kitchen remodels start.

In short, remodelling is an investment and you want to make sure you get the best return on your dollars.

Check Comparables

The first step is to figure out what the market will bear. Get an appraisal of your house as it is and then dig up the sale price of houses in your immediate area that already have the improvements you're thinking of making.

If you can complete the project without closing the gap between the current value of your home and its future value, the project is worth thinking about. However, if your house is already at top price for your area, then it's highly doubtful you'll get back any of the money you invest in a remodel.

Remodelling vs. Moving

Next evaluate the cost of remodelling versus the cost of moving. Figure out the cost of a new mortgage versus a cash-out refinance or an equity loan, taking into account both interest rates and fees. What are the costs of moving versus the costs of living through a remodel (increased take-out and hotel stays, for example). And, of course, figure out the average cost of a house with the new features you desire in a neighbourhood comparable to the one you're in.

Increasingly, people are finding it's cheaper to remodel what they have than to buy or build something comparable.

Consider Resale

While it's seldom a good idea to undertake a major remodel as part of a sprucing-up-to-sell program, it is a good idea to keep the tastes and needs of future owners in mind when you do remodel.

Remodelling magazine does an annual report evaluating the return on investment for a variety of home improvements. They crunch the numbers to determine region by region what projects will return what percent of your remodelling investment if you were to sell within a year of remodelling.

You'll find their full report online at http://www.remodeling.hw.net/

Quality of Life Counts, Too

Don't forget to consider intangibles such as neighbours and schools. If you absolutely love your house and your neighbourhood, you need to take that into consideration.

Resale isn't everything. Even if there's little chance of recouping your investment when you sell, it's OK to spend the money for that new deck or home office as long as you understand that you are investing not in the house, but in your quality of life.

Tweet Read more...

Do you really have an all risk policy? Well, in fact, there is no such thing. Just like the term "no fault" insurance is a misnomer, there are really no insurance policies that insure 'all risks'. 

There are some types of risks that simply cannot be insured against. Keep in mind that a property insurance policy is not a maintenance contract. It is meant to cover sudden and accidental losses, not loss associated with lack of proper maintenance of a property.

Here are some examples of some of the standard property insurance policy exclusions:

• Loss or damage after your dwelling has been vacant for more than 30 days
• Property illegally imported, acquired, kept , stored, or transported
• Marring or scratching of any property or breakage of any fragile or brittle articles
• Wear and tear, deterioration, defect or mechanical breakdown, rust or corrosion, extremes of temperature, wet or dry rot or mould, and contamination
• War, invasion, act of a foreign enemy, hostilities, civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection or military power
• Damage resulting from a criminal act or failure to act by any person insured under the policy or any other person at the direction of any person insured under the policy
• Buildings, units or detached private structures used in whole or in part for business or farming purposes
• Vandalism or malicious acts caused by you or any resident of your household
• Damage arising from the freezing of indoor plumbing is regarded as generally preventable. Therefore, if you are away from your home for more than 4 days during the normal heating season, you must drain the plumbing or arrange for a competent person to check your home daily in order to ensure the heat is on. Otherwise, this type of damage is not covered.
• Earthquake is also excluded, however, this coverage can usually be purchased for an additional premium
• Leaks and seepage
• Insurers are now excluding damage caused by mould as well as marijuana operations

Tweet Read more...

Are you considering a pool or thinking of buying a home with a pool? If so, please read on.

A swimming pool can be a wonderful escape from the summer's heat. To fully enjoy your pool, make sure you have the right insurance protection.

Whether your swimming pool is in-ground or above ground, you will likely need more liability coverage than your homewoner's policy provides.

Even if you monitor your swimming pool 24/7, accidents can happen within seconds. Most pool accidents occur when diving or when running on slippery surfaces around the pool.

If someone gets hurt around your pool, you could face lawsuits and serious financial hardship if you are not properly insured. Booking your liability coverage is a good first step. We can increase your existing home policy limits, or add a Personal Umbrella Liability policy to protect your asets from potentially high court awards.

The following safety recommendations can help protect you and your guests.

• Make sure your pool meets all local safety standards and building codes related to fencing, locks, decks, and pool safety equipment.
• When not in use, keep your swimming pool covered. Make sure other access points to the pool, such as patio doors, are locked.
• Keep toys that may entice children away from the pool.
• Never leave furniture near the fence that would allow a child to climb over the fence.
• Always have an adult supervising children in and around the pool. Never leave a child unattended around water.
• Take a course on pool safety, first aid and lifesaving skills such as CPR.
• Keep a list of emergencey phone numbers at the phone closest to the pool
• Always keep basic lifesaving equipment such as a reaching pole and ring buoy attached to a rope by the pool and know how to use them.
• Store pool chemicals out of reach and sight of children.

Why else would I consider a Personal Umbrella Liability policy?

To name a few...

• Anyone who owns a home, condo, cottage or rental propery should have one.
• Anyone who owns an automobile, a boat, snowmobile or ATV should have one.
• Anyone who does volunteer work or serves on a Board of Directors for non-profits should have one.
• And, anyone who travels outside of Canada should have one.

This can be important coverage if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property.

As stated above, lawsuits are growing trends. Not only are there more of them, but also the amounts being sought are getting higher and higher. Many people assume their auto or home insurance will provide all the liability protection they need, but that's not necessarily true. If you are faced with a lawsuit that exceds what these policies provide, a Personal Umbrella policy can provide the extra protection you need.

Personal Umbrella liablity insurance can also protect you against risks not covered under your auto or home policies such as libel, slander, defamation of character, false arrest and wrongful conviction.

The more you own, the more exposure you have for a claim against you for injury to others and damage to their property. This important coverage is available at a very moderate cost. That's why we recommend everyone have a Personal Umbrella liability policy. Call us to get started.

Tweet Read more...

Stay alert, slow down and stay in control — the three key elements to safe winter driving. Drive according to current road and weather conditions. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Avoid situations where you may have to brake suddenly on a slippery surface.

Be Prepared — Driver's Checklist

Get your vehicle winter-ready with a maintenance check-up. Don’t wait for winter to set in to have your battery, belts and hoses, radiator, oil, lights, brakes, exhaust system, heater/defroster, wipers and ignition system checked.

The condition of your vehicle’s tires is important. Worn and damaged tires pose a serious problem to driving safety. Have them checked or replaced before winter begins. Also, remember to check tire air pressure frequently as it decreases in colder weather.

While regular or "all-season" tires, including wide and high-performance tires, may be adequate in some areas, they may not be suitable for driving in the snowbelt regions of southern Ontario and throughout the north. If you live and drive in these areas, consider using winter tires. They improve driving safety by providing better traction and handling through snow, slush and on ice. Installing four winter tires provides even greater control and stability. Never mix tires of different tread, size and construction.

Check weather and travel conditions before heading out. Don’t take chances if the weather is bad. Give yourself extra time for travel, or wait until conditions improve. Call the Ministry of Transportation’s information number on road conditions, listed in your local phone directory, or see the online Winter Road Condition Reports.

If you are traveling a long distance, plan your route ahead of time. Let someone know of your destination and expected time of arrival.

Wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement while at the wheel. Keep warm clothing for getting out of your vehicle.

Clear snow and ice from all windows, lights, mirrors and the roof. After starting your vehicle, wait for the interior of the windows to clear of fog so you will have good visibility all around.

Make sure your vehicle is mechanically ready for the rigours of winter and keep your gas tank sufficiently full — at least a half of a tank is recommended.

Make sure you have sufficient windshield washer fluid in the reservoir and that it is rated in the -40°C temperature range. Keep an extra jug in the vehicle.

If you are in an area with cell phone service and have a cell phone, use it only when necessary. When you need help, pull well off the road to make or receive a call. Remember, dialing *OPP will connect you to the nearest Ontario Provincial Police communications centre.

PLAY IT SAFE!

Severe winter driving conditions may make you nervous, uncomfortable or fearful. Unless your trip is absolutely necessary, stay off the road. Proper preparation and the right skills will help you face the challenge of winter driving.

On The Road

Visibility

It’s critical for drivers to see and be seen in low light conditions, and when blowing snow and white-outs impair your visibility. Turn on your vehicle’s full lighting system in poor visibility.

Spacing

It takes longer to stop on a slippery road. It’s important to leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead. A guide to safe spacing under normal driving conditions is the two-second rule. In winter, and especially during poor weather conditions, double the two-second rule.

Two second rule:

1. Pick a marker on the road ahead, such as a road sign or telephone pole.
2. When the rear of the vehicle ahead passes the marker, count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two."
3. When the front of your vehicle reaches the marker, stop counting. If you reach the marker before you count "one thousand and two," you are following too closely.

Braking

Make sure you know how to use your braking system in all weather and road conditions. Consider taking an advanced driving course that teaches emergency driving skills.

Skidding

In a skid, it’s important to regain control of your vehicle, especially if it skids sideways. To do this, decelerate by taking your foot off the brake, step on the clutch or shift to neutral, then look where you want your vehicle to go and steer in that direction.

Snowy Roads

Snow on a road may be hard-packed and slippery as ice. It can also be rutted, and full of hard tracks and gullies. Or, it can be smooth and soft. Wet snow can make for slushy roads. Heavy slush can build up in the wheel wells of your vehicle, and can affect your ability to steer. Remember, look far ahead as you drive, so you can recognize hazards and other situations for which you will have plenty of time to respond. Adjust your driving to the road and weather conditions. Slow down and avoid sudden turns of the steering wheel, and sudden braking and accelerating that could cause a skid.

Ice

Be careful when approaching shaded areas, bridges and overpasses, as these sections of road freeze much sooner in cold weather and stay frozen long after the sun has risen. Watch out for black ice — areas of the road that appear black and shiny, and where your vehicle can lose traction suddenly. Slow down, keep your foot off the brake and be ready to shift to neutral or step on the clutch as your vehicle crosses these areas.

TAKE TIME

To ensure you are prepared to handle winter road conditions consider an advanced driver- training course that teaches emergency driving skills.

The Unexpected

If you get stuck or stranded, don’t panic. Stay with your vehicle for safety and warmth. Wait for help to arrive. If you are in an area with cell phone service and have a cell phone, call for help. Remember, dialing *OPP will connect you to the nearest Ontario Provincial Police communications centre.

Be careful if you have to get out of your vehicle when on the shoulder of a busy road. If possible, use the door away from traffic.

If you attempt to free your vehicle from the snow, be careful. Dress warmly, shovel slowly and do not overexert yourself. Do not attempt to shovel or push your vehicle if you have a medical condition. Body heat is retained when clothing is kept dry. Wet clothing, due to the weather or perspiration, can lead to a dangerous loss of body heat.

Draw attention to your vehicle. Use emergency flashers, flares or a Call Police sign. Run your motor sparingly. Be careful of exhaust fumes. For fresh air, slightly open a window away from the wind. You may have to exit your vehicle occasionally to make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of drifting snow before running the engine.

Winter Driving Survival Kit

t’s a good thing to keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle. Having essential supplies can provide some comfort and safety for you and your passengers should you become stranded. Recommended items:

• Ice scraper/snowbrush
• Shovel
• Sand or other traction aid
• Tow rope or chain
• Booster cables
• Road flares or warning lights
• Gas line antifreeze
• Flashlight and batteries
• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Small tool kit
• Extra clothing and footwear
• Blanket
• Non-perishable energy foods – e.g., chocolate or granola bars, juice, instant coffee, tea, soup, bottled water
• Candle and a small tin can
• Matches

In blizzard conditions, especially overnight, make sure one person stays awake as help could take some time to arrive. Maintain circulation by moving your feet, hands and arms.

DID YOU KNOW . . .

Alcohol is not a good survival item and should never be part of your survival kit. And remember: Never drink and drive!

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca

Tweet Read more...

If you purchase a home over 30 years old, and contact your insurance broker for a quotation for homeowner’s insurance coverage, you will find that he/she will ask you to provide details about the home’s plumbing, wiring, heating, and roof.

Electrical Service

If you are advised that the home has 60-amp electrical service and/or knob and tube wiring, you may find it is difficult for your insurance broker to source economical premium quotes.

In the case of 60-amp electrical service, insurers are concerned that the service may not be adequate to meet the strain imposed by today’s electrical appliances - washing machines, dryers, stereo systems, computers, air conditioners, etc. Canadian Electrical Code permits 60-amp electrical service in new construction where the floor area, excluding basement, is less than 80m squared (861.20 ft squared). But since most exceed that figure, 60-amp electrical service poses the threat of over-use, over-heating, and a possible fire. As an affordable alternative to upgrading the electrical service to 100-amps, the option exists of installing a switching device, which allows only one major appliance to operate at a time. In that event, the risks of over-use and over-heating is reduced.

Unfortunately, obtaining insurance coverage for a home with knob and tube wiring poses a much greater challenge. This type of wiring is typical of homes built prior to 1940, and is comprised of wiring strung through a system of two-piece porcelain knob-shaped clamps and hollow tubes. Modern electrical codes don’t permit this of wiring since the wires are now aged and susceptible to wearing and exposure. Ontario Hydro inspections usually require that all exposed knob and tube wiring is replaced with approved permanent wiring material. If you are purchasing a re-sale home, it might be wise to incorporate an inspection into the purchase agreement as a condition of sale. The result may be a much lower insurance cost.

Oil Tanks

Another key factor in maintaining insurability at a reasonable cost is the type and age of the heating system within the home. Oil tanks are becoming increasing unpopular due to the environmental hazards they pose. A pinhole leak can spill 750 litres of oil in eight hours and have cleanup costs ranging from $5,000 to $150,000. Depending on the extent of damage, a home's entire foundation may need to be replaced.

If the home you wish to buy has an oil tank, consider the following things:

1. Where is the tank kept? Most insurers will only offer coverage if the tank is located within the house. Tanks located outside or underground are not typically accepted.
2. Is it accessible? Tanks encased in walls or vaults are very difficult to service or replace. If you cannot see the entire tank, you are not as easily able to monitor its condition, thus rust and deterioration may go unnoticed.
3. How old is the tank? Tanks 20 years or older are considered an increased hazard for leakage. A new tank costs anywhere from $700 to $1,500 to replace.

Woodstoves

Woodstoves are also considered undesirable by most insurance companies as they increase the hazard for fire. However, unlike old oil tanks, homes with woodstoves are insurable as long as they are installed to code and proper clearances are observed. If the woodstove is acceptable to the insurance company, an auxiliary heating surcharge (usually about $50) is added to your premium. If the woodstove is not installed properly, or has inadequate clearances, you will be required to have the unit brought up to code, which could prove to be a costly exercise, or to have the unit removed before insurance coverage will be offered.

Roof

A home’s roof is one of the most important things a potential homeowner should consider. Damaged or worn shingles give way to endless opportunities for damage and deterioration of the home. A leaking roof can cause rotten walls and ceilings, mould, spores, and poor circulation within the house. Leaking or damaged shingles also prevent heat retention in the winter and allow for excess humidity in the summer. Signs of roof leakage can include:

• Yellowish markings or rings on ceiling tiles,
• Bubbled or cracked walls and/or stucco ceiling coverings, and
• Mildew or "stale" odour.

Although the average shingled roof has a life of approximately 20-25 years, weather and environment may warrant replacement prior to this. Insurance is not designed to cover wear and deterioration of maintainable items such as roof shingles. As a result, the costly damage caused by a leaking roof is not covered by insurance.

Plumbing

One of the most forgettable things a potential homebuyer should worry about is the plumbing within the home. Even though you do not see a whole lot of the plumbing throughout your house, it is no less important than the roof or furnace. Depending on the age of your home there could be a number of concerns that exist with the plumbing system:

1. Galvanized Steel Piping – this was used into the mid 1960’s and is characterized by the 1" diameter pipes which utilize threaded connections. Problems include corrosion and mineral deposit build-ups in the connections which could lead to ruptures or leaking.
2. Lead Piping – this was used up until the 1950’s. Most common issues are health related.
3. Cast Iron – this was used until the 1950’s as a drain or waste pipe, and was not designed to hold water. Pipes are susceptible to corrosion on the inside, which causes the escape of gases and odours, and leaks.

The recommended type of plumbing within the home is copper and plastic (A.B.S./P.V.C.). Copper has been used in most houses built since the 1960’s. Pipe diameters vary from ½ " to ¾ " and have soldered joints. P.V.C. are used in some more modern applications. Joints can be threaded or glued.

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments a person can make. Protecting that investment is one of the biggest responsibilities a person will have. Regular inspections of heating, electrical and plumbing systems are always recommended, no matter how new they are. Preventative maintenance will save homeowners thousands of dollars in the long run by eliminating potential problems before they cause costly damage or injury. If you are considering a home that has one or more of these conditions present, make sure the asking price of the house is reasonable considering the upgrades that will need to take place prior to, or immediately upon applying for insurance coverage. If you decide to proceed with the house, notify your insurance broker immediately so that he or she may advise and counsel you on what you will need to do and in what time frame you will be given.

Tweet Read more...

In times of economic uncertainty, business owners must become more vigilant in protecting their balance sheets and income statements. 

Managing risk through insurance can protect the financial well-being of any company, large or small. Each company must develop a risk management philosophy that balances the amount of risk the company holds in-house versus the amount they transfer to an insurer. The key to successful risk management is to keep the loss frequency (# of claims) at a manageable level to avoid exorbitant premiums or unavailability of the insurance product. 

Here’s how you can keep your insurance portfolio healthy 

Increase Deductibles

By increasing deductibles, business owners can save money on premiums and reduce the temptation to utilize the policy as a maintenance contract. When choosing a deductible, determine what dollar amount you would be comfortable paying on your own and set your deductible accordingly. For example, if you decide you could cover all building damages of $5,000 or less, do not choose a $1,000 deductible. The lower deductible will cost you more in premiums and open up the temptation to use the policy as a maintenance contract. 

Motor Vehicle Abstracts

Business owners should obtain motor vehicle abstracts on all personnel operating company vehicles annually. While accidents do happen, choosing drivers with proven track records will cut down on frequency of incidents. Remember to get informed consent from company drivers before ordering reports. 

Maintenance Logs

Business owners should keep detailed maintenance logs of all vehicles, equipment, and buildings. As the economy struggles, the general populous may become more litigious. Proper documentation can disprove negligence and help avert a claims situation. 

Increase Liability

Limits As society becomes more litigious, court awards are increasing. Are you sure your current limit offers adequate protection? An Umbrella Liability Policy is a cost effective way to increase liability limits under all policies. This policy acts exactly as it sounds – it provides another tier of Liability Insurance that is triggered once the underlying limits are exhausted. 

Backup Surety

Contract surety (bonding) is crucial to some businesses, as it allows them to avoid tying up working capital. However, if something goes awry, it can seriously impede the business owner’s ability to perform. Let us arrange a backup surety in case issues arise during the course of the bidding season. 

We’re business insurance experts. If you’ve got a question, we’ve got the answer. 

Insurance Fact: The insurance industry is highly inter-connected. Higher premiums may be the result of large losses or catastrophes in other parts of the world. Through re-insurance, primary insurance companies spread their risks across several countries and even continents. Therefore, a large natural disaster or large court rulings in other parts of the world may have an impact on the cost of covering your risks, even though your business’s characteristics have not changed.

Tweet Read more...

What is Long Term Care? Long Term Care is also known as continuing care. It encompasses all the activities of daily living, things that most of us take for granted every single day. Things such as:

• Getting out of bed
• Taking a bath or shower
• Eating
• Dressing ourselves
• Toileting
• Being able to control our bowels or bladder

Many conditions or circumstances can bring about the need for long term care. Some examples might include:

• Arthritis
• Parkinson's
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Alzheimer's
• Automobile Accident
• Falls
• Strokes
• Or simply the aging process

There are many costs associated with a long term care situation. Most people requiring care wish to stay in their homes for as long as possible. When they make this choice however, they can become a burden on friends and family members, as there is a myth that the government can and will take care of everyone at no cost. I am simply amazed that even with an educated public, most people who find themselves or their loved ones in a long term care situation are not aware of what is actually available. As home care is not one of the 5 guiding principles of the Canada Health Act, each province in Canada is responsible for home care within its own boundaries. What provincial governments provide varies from province to province. In the province of Alberta, for example, the government provides up to $3000.00 per month, but this equates to only two hours of care per day and one bath per week. This is not a lot of time if your loved one (or you) are in need of more care.

A typical home care situation where one spouse requires significant assistance to get through the day can easily cost more than $25,000 per year, in after-tax dollars, over and above government provided care. How? Consider this typical home care situation:

Could you afford to spend this amount with your after tax dollars, keeping in mind you would still have your other everyday expenses such as water, heating, taxes etc.? 

Tweet Read more...

Protecting Your Business in a Nutshell!

I will preface this article with my philosophy that people should not make themselves 'insurance poor'; rather, carry adequate insurance and also employ risk management techniques to mitigate risk exposure as much as possible.

To begin with, you are building a business and we are familiar with that process and know that it is not easy and it takes a great deal of time. We are becoming a litigious society. Claims are most certainly on the rise in Canada, due to people looking to recover through litigation. Claim amounts are also increasing as people are pursuing higher settlements. There are countless unfortunate situations where a single claim can spell the demise of an improperly protected business. Legal expense is an ever-increasing cost in settling claims. These costs are incurred and covered even if a claim against you seems groundless.

Coverage afforded by a CGL policy:

Coverage extends to you, your spouse, partners, and employees only in the course of your business.

Property Damage

This coverage is offered to protect you against damage to a third party's physical property. This could be as simple as having a glass of red wine with a client and spilling it on their carpet requiring a complete re-carpeting of the home. There are situations where a claim will exceed the intrinsic value of the damaged item based on rarity, sentimental value (such as a family heirloom) or other extenuating circumstance. In the case of the carpet, you would not only be looking at the value of the carpet, but the cost to remove the old carpet, install the new carpet and costs for any materials required for installation.

Bodily Injury

Coverage against bodily injury to a third party in the course of business. Again, this isn't simply the 'slip and fall' coverage while patrons are at your premises. It covers you and employees while off premises and you inadvertently hurt someone while in the course of business. Often it seems that these would be minor, but one should give consideration to the possibility of medical bills, lost pay if your client is self employed and loses time away from business, and of course legal fees to settle a suit/claim.

Personal Injury / Advertising Injury Liability

This coverage protects you against injury you may cause to another through advertising or other marketing activities. It is not designed to protect you against false advertising. But, in the event that you published information about a client on your web site for example, and this in some way had a damaging affect on their business, whether from a sales or reputation standpoint, they could pursue damages against you.

Tenants Legal Liability

This provides coverage for damage to a premise you lease or occupy which belongs to a third party. For example, if a fire broke out in your office and damaged the building you occupy, this coverage would apply to the repair or restoration of the portion on the building you occupy. The building owner's property coverage would apply to the portion they occupy but not the leased space and they would look to recover from the tenants legal liability coverage on your policy.

Employers Liability

Most CGL wordings will provide coverage or the option of coverage for injury that may occur to an employee, over and above the coverage afforded by worker's compensation.

We have also seen a trend toward Designers being required to produce evidence of a CGL policy for RFP's. In this respect, one could spin this coverage into a sales feature when competing against other Design firms for projects. By offering evidence of this insurance to a prospect, you are essentially reducing their risk exposure.

It protects the business you are building, it offers you peace of mind, it offers your clients peace of mind and it enhances your image as a good corporate citizen.

Tweet Read more...

Understanding the common types of plumbing and what there benefits and potential hazards are can ensure you home is not a victim or leaks or ruptures.

Cast Iron

Commonly used in waste lines, or in older homes as a main drain. The benefit of cast iron is that it offers some assistance in the area of sound reduction. The common problem associated with cast iron is the deterioration of the "elbows" or joints, which can lead to cracking and leaking. Homes with cast iron pipes should have regular inspections to ensure that there is no signs of wear or deterioration.

Lead

Used in the early 1900’s in private homes. As expected, lead poses several hazards including contamination of drinking water and deterioration of the pipes, which leads to leakage.

Galvanized

Used primarily in homes built between 1920 and 1950. Galvanized plumbing is constructed of coated steel that is threaded and fitted into neighbouring pipes. The threading process requires that the pipes be scored, which damages the protective coat that is intended to protect against rust and deterioration. The damage to this protective layer opens the door for premature rusting and wear, which leads to unwanted leaks and seepage. Corrosive agents, such as household cleaners, which are poured into drains, only the deterioration of the plumbing system.

Copper

Used in many modern homes and building. Copper plumbing posses superior heat transfer abilities, and has been the material of choice for a number of years. Copper is impermeable and biostatic - contaminants don't penetrate it, and copper surfaces actually inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Copper tubing and fittings won't burn or melt in a fire. And, in the long run, the cost of copper plumbing systems is equal to or less than other materials when repairs over the life of the materials and higher home resale values are factored in.

Plastic

Also referred to as PVC or ABS plumbing. Plastic offers benefits such as simplicity, it does not corrode or transfer heat (i.e. the pipes do not get hot), and it offers good insulation against noise. Disadvantages include expansion (heat causes them to stretch and sag over time), higher cost than copper plumbing and plastic is not suitable for gas or fuel oil lines.

If there is ever any evidence of leaking or rust, pipes should be replaced immediately to avoid damage. All Risk policies, while providing the highest level of coverage, still do not cover losses deemed to be preventable maintenance issues. Older homes should be inspected by a professional to ensure that pipes, and especially joints and connections, are secure and in good condition.

Tweet Read more...