RICHMOND—Ask anyone who’s experienced it: Coming home to a house full of water is not how you want to wrap up a relaxing vacation.

“Water damage is one of the most common type of claims we handle,” said Larry Wills, field claims manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. “It can be very expensive, especially with mold issues that may come up and the cost to remediate water losses.”

Water can cause damage to your home through leaks from the water heater; washing machine and its hoses; ice maker supply line; toilet and sink supply lines and valves; the dishwasher; and anywhere else water is used.

“The financial cost is certainly one concern, but the one thing we cannot eliminate for our customers is the inconvenience they incur with a loss like this,” Wills said.

Farm Bureau insurance professionals recommend turning the main water supply off before going away for an extended period of time. At the same time, turn off the water heater to keep it from overheating.

Check the ice maker supply line to make sure there are no kinks in the line. Be careful when moving the refrigerator for any reason, so as not to kink or displace the supply line. Also check all supply lines to toilets, sinks, washing machines and other fixtures and appliances regularly, and replace those that are showing signs of age or wear. When replacing hoses and supply lines, consider using steel-braided hoses.

Contact Sara Owens, VFBF communications, at 804-290-1133 or Jimmy Maass, Farm Bureau safety manager, at 804-290-1379.