How to reduce the risk of a water leak in your funeral home

Water leaks are becoming an increasingly common cause of property damage, and for funeral directors, this can be especially disruptive, affecting your premises, your operations, and the families who rely on you. As specialists in Funeral Director Insurance, we see first-hand how devastating a leak can be, even when cover is in place.

This guidance summarises why the risk of water leaks is rising, and more importantly, what steps you can take to minimise the likelihood of one occurring in your business premises.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), insurers paid out around £804 million in 2022 for water leak claims alone. In recent years, insurers have recorded a steady increase in property damage caused by leaks, making it one of the most common types of domestic claims. While your insurance may help cover the financial cost and inconvenience, disruption to your business can be far more challenging to recover from.

What’s driving an increase in water leaks?

Changes in lifestyle, technological advancements, use of skilled labour, building construction and materials are all factors that can influence the risk of a water loss. Other factors to consider include:

• Funeral directors typically rely on several water-using appliances, including washing machines, dishwashers and cleaning equipment. The more appliances on site, the higher the chance of a leak.
• A trend towards concealing pipework, making inspection and maintenance difficult and the potential for leaks to go undiscovered for longer periods, increasing levels of damage caused.
• Many funeral homes operate with several bathrooms, staff washrooms and specialist preparation rooms, all of which rely on complex plumbing.
• Failure of bathroom sealants and tile grouting, allowing water to run into and damage the building fabric. Please note, water leaks caused by sealant and grouting failure may be excluded under your insurance policy. Check with your insurer if you are unsure.
• Pipework failure, including both compression and push fit joints; flexible hoses used to connect white goods and as a consequence of corrosion to pipework.
• Valve failure, including ball cocks in water tanks.
• Poor workmanship when completing plumbing works and the use of sub-standard plumbing materials.
• Frozen pipework due to lack of heating and/or insulation.
• An extended period of unoccupancy, linked to a potential lack of heating and/or insulation but also longer discovery times to spot a leak and take action.

So what can you do?

Some of the main preventative measures include the folllowing (list not exhaustive):

• Use a ‘WaterSafe’ approved plumber. WaterSafe is a free online search facility funded by the water industry to help you find competent and qualified plumbers in your area.
• Arrange for your pipework to be routinely inspected and maintained. Keep on top of simple maintenance jobs like fixing dripping taps. Investigate leaks and damp patches at the earliest opportunity.
• Check water tanks and cylinders for corrosion and arrange for central heating systems to be annually maintained.
• Install a frostat to your heating system, lag or fit trace heating to exposed pipework where there is a risk of freezing.
• Know the location of your stopcock and other isolation valves. Periodically check them to ensure they operate properly. Stopcocks are often found under a sink or in garages. Location labels can be used to highlight where they are in the event of a water leak.
• Consider introducing additional isolation valves if you have a complex water system e.g. at individual floor level or to individual appliances.
• If the property is going to be empty for an extended period consider isolating and draining the water supply or ensure heating to the property is maintained to at least 10 degrees Celsius. Note that it may be a condition of your insurance policy to isolate building services during extended periods of unoccupancy. If you are unsure, check with your insurer.
• Locate high-value items clear of any overhead water tanks or pipework.
• Select and use appropriate plumbing products. You should use products that meet the requirements of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations. The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) operate an approved products scheme which may assist.
• Install leak and/or flow detection devices in high-risk areas. These devices will detect a water leak in the earlier stages, raise an alert and can isolate the water supply, minimising the damage caused. They can also be linked to building management systems (BMS) or offsite facilities to support remote monitoring.
• If you are operating a business, check your business continuity plans to contemplate water leaks and how you will respond.

What to do if you find a leak

If the worst happens and you have a leak take immediate action:

• Turn off your water supply at the main Stopcock.
• Turn off your electrics and heating. Never touch wet wiring or electrical items. If electrical wiring or equipment is wet always consult an electrician.
• Drain the water system by opening taps inside the property.
• If safe to do so, remove contents at risk of damage to a dry area.
• If water is coming through ceilings and it’s safe to do so, try to collect it in a suitable receptacle.

This guidance is provided for information purposes and is general and educational in nature. It should not be used as a substitute
for taking professional advice on specific issues, and should not be taken as providing legal advice on any of the topics addressed.

Need to contact us?

If you need support with a new or existing insurance claim, our friendly team at SEIB is here to help. Whether you’re looking for guidance on starting a claim or have questions about an ongoing one, you can reach us by calling 01708 850 000 or emailing info@seib.co.uk. Alternatively visit the claims section of our website for further details.

About SEIB

SEIB have been providing Funeral Director Insurance and Funeral Car Insurance for over 40 years. For more information or to request a quote, please call 01708 850000 or email info@seib.co.uk.