Water Damage Prevention: Essential Steps for Hawai'i Condo Owners

Imagine this scenario - a Honolulu condo owner returned from a two-week vacation to find water throughout her unit. A washing machine hose had burst while she was gone, flooding her unit and seeping into two units below. Water damaged flooring, cabinets, and drywall across three units. The repair costs exceeded $120,000. Her insurance covered the loss, but her policy was not renewed.

Understanding how to prevent water damage can help you avoid scenarios like this.

Insurance companies pay close attention to water damage prevention when reviewing coverage applications and renewals. Taking steps to minimize water damage claims protects your ability to get insurance and helps keep your coverage affordable.

This guide explains what insurance companies look for when reviewing condos, practical steps to prevent water damage, and how to show you're managing risk responsibly.

What Insurance Companies Look at in Your Building

Water damage from aging or poorly maintained plumbing systems is a common source of property loss in condo buildings. According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage accounts for a significant portion of property insurance claims [2].

This is why insurance companies review several factors when deciding whether to offer coverage and at what price:

• Loss History: Buildings with frequent water damage claims signal higher risk. Your building's claims history affects coverage availability and costs for all owners [1].
• Age and Condition of Plumbing: Older plumbing systems without documented replacement plans raise concerns. Buildings that haven't budgeted for plumbing updates face higher risk of sudden failures. Having adequate reserves for plumbing replacement shows financial preparedness.
• Preventive Maintenance Programs: Regular maintenance shows responsible building management. Insurance companies look favorably on buildings with documented inspection schedules, maintenance logs, and leak detection systems in common areas [1].

Your building's overall approach to water damage prevention affects your ability to get coverage for your unit and your premium costs.

Making Your Unit More Insurable

You control several important aspects of your own ability to get insurance:

• Prevent water damage to keep a clean loss history.
• Inspect and maintain your unit's plumbing regularly.
• Shut off water when away for extended periods.
• Install leak detection technology.
• Use licensed plumbers for repairs.
• Report plumbing issues quickly before they escalate.
• Follow AOAO house rules about plumbing.

These actions don't just make you look better on paper. They reduce your risk of filing claims, which helps keep your premiums affordable and your coverage available.

The Water Damage Prevention Basics

Most water damage in condos comes from causes you can prevent.

• What Never Goes Down Drains or Toilets
  • Avoid putting grease, oil, food scraps, or expanding foods like rice and pasta down kitchen drains.
  • Do not pour chemicals, solvents, acetone, or paint thinner down drains. These can damage pipes.
  • Use toilets only for human waste and toilet paper. Non-flushable paper products, personal hygiene products, and items labeled "flushable" (except toilet paper) cause backups.
• Washing Machine Requirements
  • If you have a High Efficiency (HE) washing machine, use only HE detergent according to label instructions. Regular detergent creates excessive suds that can cause backups and overflow in HE machines.
• General Precautions
  • Do not hang clothes, bags, or other items on sprinkler heads. The weight can break seals and cause leaks.
• Regular Maintenance Checks
  • Inspect supply lines to your refrigerator, washing machine, water heater, toilets, and sinks at least twice per year.
  • Look for condensation, leaks, or rust around pipes.
  • Watch for stains on walls or ceilings, which often indicate leaks behind drywall.
  • Notice musty smells, which suggest hidden moisture.
  • Monitor your water bills for unexpected increases that might signal a leak you can't see.
  • Replace washing machine hoses regularly according to manufacturer recommendations. Consider upgrading to braided steel hoses, which typically resist failure better than rubber hoses.
• When Leaving Your Unit
  • Turn off all water supply valves when leaving your unit for extended periods. Most units have shut-off valves for the main water supply, water heater, washing machine, toilet, and under sinks. Locate these valves now so you know where they are when you need them.
  • House rules should allow the Resident Manager or Property Manager to enter units in plumbing emergencies, even when owners are away. This emergency access can prevent minor leaks from becoming major disasters.

Technology That Demonstrates Risk Management

Installing water leak detection shows insurance companies you're serious about prevention.

• Basic Sensors: These battery-operated devices typically cost $10 to $20 each and sound a loud alarm when water touches them. They work well if you're home to hear the alarm.
• Smart Sensors: These devices typically cost $50 to $150 each, connect to your Wi-Fi network, and send text or email alerts when they detect water. You can monitor your unit even when you're away.
• Automatic Shut-Off Systems: These systems typically cost $500 or more and automatically shut off your main water supply when sensors detect water. These systems protect your property even when you can't respond immediately.

Strategic Installation: Focus on high-risk areas where water damage most commonly starts: washing machines, water heaters, under sinks, bathrooms, and kitchen areas.

Know What Your Building Is Doing

Ask your AOAO these key questions about building-level prevention:

• Does our building have a documented maintenance program for plumbing?
• When were the building's main drains last professionally cleaned?
• Do the house rules address water damage prevention and owner responsibilities?
• Has the AOAO budgeted for replacement of aging drain and supply lines?

Simple Steps to Start Today

Locate your shut-off valves, install leak sensors, stop putting prohibited items down drains, and turn off water when traveling. Ask your AOAO about their water damage prevention programs. These actions show insurance companies that you're managing risk responsibly and help you maintain affordable coverage.

For more information about condo insurance, talk to your local insurance agent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do insurance companies look at when reviewing my condo for coverage?

A: Insurance companies review your building's loss history, the age and condition of plumbing systems, and whether your AOAO has preventive maintenance programs in place. Your building's overall approach to water damage prevention affects your ability to get coverage and your premium costs.

Q: What are the most important steps I can take to prevent water damage in my unit?

A: Inspect supply lines to appliances twice per year, turn off all water supply valves when leaving for extended periods, and avoid putting grease, food scraps, or non-flushable items down drains or toilets. Install leak detection sensors in high-risk areas like near washing machines, water heaters, and under sinks.

Q: What items should never go down my drains or toilet?

A: Never put grease, oil, food scraps, chemicals, solvents, or paint thinner down drains, and use toilets only for human waste and toilet paper. Items labeled "flushable" (except toilet paper), personal hygiene products, and non-flushable paper products cause backups.

Q: How does preventing water damage help with my insurance?

A: Preventing water damage keeps your loss history clean, which protects your ability to get insurance and helps keep your premiums affordable. Taking prevention steps shows insurance companies you're managing risk responsibly.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about water damage prevention for Hawaii condo owners. Examples are hypothetical. Coverage availability, premiums, and underwriting decisions vary based on individual circumstances. For specific details and quotes, contact your independent insurance agent.

Sources

1. Insurance Information Institute. "What is Condo Insurance?" Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.iii.org/article/what-condo-insurance
2. Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Homeowners and renters insurance." Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insurance