Water leaks can cause significant damage and disruption to properties. Knowing what to do in the event of a water leak can help you be prepared and assist in mitigating loss. Carrying out simple checks and inspections, maintaining accessibility to your plumbing and isolation points and being proactive with maintenance and installations of available protections can help to prevent or reduce water leaks.
Even with quick human intervention, escape of water events can be both damaging and costly. To support even the most robust management, it could be helpful to install leak detection with automatic water shut-off to assist in the protection of properties, both commercial and residential.
Chris Andrews, Director of Risk Management Solutions
“Tackling water leaks and the damage they cause has become a key strategic priority for our industry and the need for greater education, recognition and acceptance of proven mitigation measures is widely recognised. Aviva aim to support our customers with our ‘Prevention First’ philosophy, a team of Risk Consultants and water damage experts.”
Guidance
10 Top Tips LPS
This Loss Prevention Standard provides a summary of the main risk concerns along with practical guidance to help assess and reduce the potential for, and consequences of, escape of water events.
Location and emergency contact cards
These cards can be displayed in prominent areas so that in the event of an emergency, the location of stopcocks/shut off valves can be quickly turned off and emergency contact details quickly identified.
Protecting property from water damage LPS
Reducing the risk of damage to property such as buildings, fixtures, fittings and furnishings, equipment, machinery, utilities and IT systems can help avoid uninsured costs, interruption to a business and increased insurance costs.
Responding to incidents LPS
A guidance document to provide advice following an escape of water incident.
Stopcock / shut off labels
These labels can be affixed to stopcock(s) to help identify their location. Please periodically check your stopcock to ensure it turns on and off easily. Acting quickly when you discover a water leak and turning off water promptly can help prevent extensive damage and inconvenience.
Training courses
Do you need guidance on helping to prevent property damage due to escape of water? We've partnered with SafetyCulture, one of our Specialist Partners, to create a training course on recognising and reducing escape of water risks. The course is available to Aviva customers at no additional cost and is easy to access by registering for SafetyCulture training.
Water damage on construction sites LPS
A leak near to completion of a construction or fit-out project can be catastrophic, resulting in significant disruption, delays and additional costs. To guard against this, the Principal Contractor should take responsibility for managing the exposure to water damage from the outset of a project, having control over many of the factors that could prevent a water loss incident.
Escape of Water advice
Risk factors
Identification
Prevention
Emergency plans
Our Specialist Partners to help manage your Escape of Water risks
To access this solution at preferential rates and terms, contact our Specialist Partners.
Leaksafe
Leak Detection
Leaksafe specialise in the supply and installation of leak detection and leak suppression systems. We use both flow monitoring and fluid contact detection to identify both catastrophic and low level-leaks. Systems can be designed to automatically shut the water supply off if there is a leak and / or send immediate notification to residents or property managers that will identify where in the building the leak has occurred. Leaksafe systems are suitable for installation during construction or for retro-fit in any type of residential or commercial property.
Quensus
Escape of Water Leak Prevention
Quensus provides water leak detection and prevention solutions designed to help safeguard your property from costly damage and disruption, specialising in various sectors, including residential, commercial and industrial properties. Beyond leak detection, they provide tailored water management solutions, including remote monitoring, real-time alerts and detailed reporting. With Quensus, you can proactively identify potential issues, optimise water usage, and help maintain the long-term health of your property.
Need further help or assistance?
Call our Risk Helpline to speak to our Risk Management Solutions team for help and advice on
0345 366 6666
Opening times: Monday - Friday* 9:00am - 5:00pm
Email us at: riskadvice@aviva.com
* Excludes Bank Holidays. The cost of calls to 03 prefixed numbers are charged at national call rates (charges may vary dependent on your network provider) and are usually included in inclusive minute plans from landlines and mobiles. For our joint protection telephone calls may be recorded and/or monitored.