As the weather turns sticky and warm and beaches beckon for summer holidays, it's the season to check your taps or risk tens of thousands of dollars' worth of water damage.
Since January 2018, insurance company RACQ has received 9651 claims for water damage to homes, with burst pipes and hoses connected to dishwashers and taps a common cause of those claims.
Spokeswoman Kirsty Clinton said the average cost of flexi hose related claims rings in at $14,145.
"We often see a rise in these incidents over the festive season when people go away for holidays," she said.
Master Plumbers Association of Queensland technical services manager Ernie Kretschmer told ABC Radio Brisbane the hoses were in most modern homes and could "burst at any time if they are damaged."
He said incorrect installation and corrosive chemicals stored under the sink could shorten the lifespan of the hoses – which are a rubber tube wrapped in braided steel.
"If you liken it to a hernia, once that outer wall is compromised, the inner tube can herniate out and burst," he said.
"Then you've got the full bore of the pipe delivering water under your kitchen sink or in the basement or behind your toilet and that will continue to run until you isolate it," he said.
The reason for rise in claims over the festive season is that no-one is home to turn off the water mains when those pipes burst — so switch off your water mains when you go away.
Ms Clinton said flexi hoses started to deteriorate after ten years and home owners should check whether they have one installed in their homes and if they were nearing expiry.
"The damage caused can be extreme, with water flooding your house in a matter of seconds, leading to ruined cabinets, walls, floors, and mould which, in some extreme cases, can make your home uninhabitable," she said.
"The other important factor on top of the costs to consider is the distress and inconvenience that incidents of this nature can cause individuals and families, where treasured possessions can be ruined, and homes can even be uninhabitable for periods of time."
ABC Radio Brisbane/ By Ellen-Maree Elliot
We recommend a Smart Water Monitoring System by Flo. Backed by years of product development and industry leading technology, Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff detects and stops leaks.
From your FLEXI HOSES, toilet, shower or faucet, to the pipes in your foundation and behind your walls, the smart water security system monitors all of them so there’s no surprises on your water bill or catastrophes when you come home from vacation.
Reduce your risk of water leaks and damage by 96%. Our Flo by Water Secure Co products work together to protect your home from incoming water pressure and outgoing fixture leaks, 24/7.
Manually control your home water. The device will automatically turn it off in emergencies.
Runs daily Health Tests with MicroLeak™ technology to ensure that your home is leak-free.
Constantly monitoring for irregularities in water pressure, water flow rate, and area temperature.
After your Shutoff learns your home's unique water footprint it will constantly monitor for irregularities.
Supported by our FloSense™ technology, view historical water usage by fixture and appliance.
Your unique water usage data is stored locally on the device in case of Wi-Fi outages.