Homeowners in Kansas City have been upgrading their old sewer and water lines that have served them for more than 80 years. The repairs can be downright expensive, ranging from $50–$250 per foot or $3,000–$6,000 on average. Coming up with thousands of dollars at short notice when your water line malfunctions can be stressful.
Thanks to the Kansas City Water Line Insurance, homeowners are eligible for assistance when repairing or replacing faulty water and sewer lines. They can protect their biggest investment at only $120 per year when the eventuality happens. However, even with this insurance coverage, it might not be enough for low-income and elderly homeowners. That is where Habitat for Humanity comes in to help. But how can it help? Here is how Habitat for Humanity can protect your home when you have Kansas City water line insurance.
Investing in Basement Waterproofing
A faulty water line can cause severe damage to your home’s foundation. For instance, a leaking old pipe could saturate the soil around your foundation, causing hydrostatic pressure that forces water to seep through cracks and holes. If you ignore it, it will weaken your concrete floor and walls, leading to structural damage. In worse cases, this could lead to a flooded basement.
Basement flooding is a real problem, especially for a city with the biggest concentration of basements. According to Reuters, more than 90% of homes in Kansas City have basements. The percentage represents twice as many as the national average. For this reason, basement waterproofing is a necessary investment that every homeowner should consider.
Basement waterproofing protects your home’s foundation from water damage, ensuring your property remains structurally sound. It involves installing a drainage system to prevent water from seeping through the basement floor and walls. You also need to replace those old pipes with new ones. However, the cost of these repairs can be astronomical for some homeowners, especially those with low incomes or elderly.
That is where Habitat for Humanity comes in to help. As a nonprofit organization, Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs homes for needy people. With the help of a volunteer basement waterproofing contractor, the organization can help you protect your home from water damage caused by old and faulty pipes. However, as a volunteer-based organization, Habitat for Humanity cannot cover the costs of all necessary repairs. You need to have Kansas City Water Line Insurance. The insurance coverage can cater to a water restoration service.
Keeping Any Septic Tanks and Sewers Clean
The Kansas City wastewater system has served locals for over a century. According to Smart Sewer, some parts are more than 150 years old. However, with age comes wear and tear.
Some parts of this 3,400-mile sewer line system are failing, causing overflows and home backups. Part of it is because of the extended lifespan beyond its expected service life. Other reasons for the failure include ground shift over the years, weather changes, and tree root intrusion. Most homes built before 1970 installed clay tile sewer pipes. These pipes have numerous joints subject to breakage due to root intrusion and ground shifting.
Sewer line failure and clogs can be a nightmare for homeowners, posing health risks and affecting their daily activities. It also causes pollution in urban stormwater runoff, which can quickly turn into a disaster. Additionally, homeowners using old septic tanks have to grapple with gurgling toilets, backed-up sinks and tubs.
The city introduced a $2.5 billion sewer upgrade program in 2010. According to the U.S. (EPA) Environmental Protection Agency, the project will take 25 years to complete. However, it will not cover repairing wastewater pipes beyond the property line. It will be your responsibility as a homeowner. The cost of digging up your sewer pipes is astronomical, especially if it goes past a public street or sidewalk.
Forbes estimates that such repairs range from $650 to $7,500 for 30 feet. That is an average of $4,000. On the other hand, according to Forbes, a septic tank replacement ranges from $3,600 to $10,000, at an average of $6,300. To most homeowners, this is simply not affordable.
You need the Kansas City water line insurance to be safe. At only $120 per year, you can rest easy knowing your wastewater line will be up and running quickly. If you have to incur additional costs, Habitat for Humanity can help you. Volunteering labor can put your septic and sewer line service back in order.
Cleaning Drains and Plumbing Features
When replacing your sewer line and water pipes, it’s best that you also clean all the drains. A drainage system that has served your home for nearly 80 years may have rotten parts or foreign objects. In most cases, it will have debris and rubbish stacked up.
Additionally, most people often use chemical drain cleaners after they clog. It’s easier and often faster than hiring a professional to unclog. However, such chemicals have a long-term impact on your drainage system. They erode the pipes while eating away the rubbish to bust the clog.
Finding missing parts of the drainage system or, worse still, leaking pipes is normal. If the leakage happens inside your home, you’re staring at a major repair. The water damage could set you back thousands of dollars. It can be a nightmare for any homeowner with little or no savings.
Habitat for Humanity helps such homeowners with Kansas City water line insurance. In the event of a major repair, they offer a residential drain cleaning service. Families within the community volunteer to help reach out to those in need. They also provide affordable loans for repair costs and other expenses.
Installing a Personal Well on Your Property
When facing major water supply issues, digging a personal well is always an alternative. It’s more reliable and cheaper in the long run than other options. However, the installation process can be expensive for most homeowners.
According to Forbes estimates, most homeowners can spend anywhere from $3,000 to $9,000 on a well drilling. On average, most reliable water well drilling companies charge about $5,625. This cost depends on the depth, ranging from 50 to 400 feet. Most people prefer 100 to 200 feet deep.
However, other factors may also increase the cost of drilling a well in Kansas City. That includes distance from your property and materials such as water filtration systems and pumps. Additionally, permits do not come free. You will spend about $60, according to Ellis County, KS.
To most Kansas City residents, this is a significant investment. However, city residents with Kansas City water line insurance can benefit from Habitat for Humanity’s partnership. You can get affordable loans to cover the cost of well drilling. It offers a simpler way to get clean water while paying off the loan at manageable rates.
Eliminating Excess Moisture in Your Home
Habitat for Humanity’s primary goal is to ensure families live in well-maintained, secure homes. Part of that includes living in a well-ventilated environment. However, Kansas City has 90% humidity, almost double the amount recommended on any sultry day. According to the U.S. EPA, the ideal humidity should be between 30% and 50%.
Excess humidity can lead to moisture buildup in your home. If ignored, it can encourage microbes to grow in your indoor space. When inhaled, these air pollutants can cause respiratory health issues such as asthma and allergies. Not forgetting, your home may also give off a musty smell.
Excess humidity may also be why your wooden floor warps and the pain on your walls peels. It is also the reason for the stains you see on the ceiling. One solution to tackle this problem is to install drywalls. Unlike ordinary plaster walls, drywalls act as an extra layer of insulation. That means they prevent outdoor air from entering the house and causing moisture to condense on surfaces.
Another solution to reducing indoor moisture is installing an HVAC system (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning). An HVAC system can help regulate the humidity levels in your home. It removes excess moisture, ensuring your home is comfortable and safe. However, these systems do not come cheap. For instance, a Trane HVAC unit costs $3400 – $16,400 depending on the size and model. And those are not the only costs.
According to Forbes, the average HVAC system installation cost is 8,000. Generally, an HVAC company will charge you anything between $5,000 to $34,000. That includes labor, parts, and the system itself. Furthermore, you have to take into account maintenance costs.
Both HVAC and local local drywall contractor can be expensive for most homeowners. Most people do not have thousands of dollars stashed away for home repairs. But if you have Kansas City water line insurance, you can get help from Habitat for Humanity. With affordable loans, you can have your HVAC system installed or repaired, and drywalls put up.
Maintaining Your Roof’s Integrity
Leaking roofs are far too common in a city that has existed for nearly two centuries. Age is a significant factor in the service life of roofs. According to the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City, homes in the city have an average age of 40–47 years.
Roofs over 20 years old are more susceptible to leaks. Roof damage is inevitable when you factor in extreme weather conditions like winter and strong winds. Sometimes, minor repairs like replacing a missing shingle can fix the issue. Other times, you may need to replace the entire roof.
But both of these options can also be expensive. According to Forbes, roofing companies charge anything from $6,700 to $80,000 for a complete roof replacement. On average, you will pay around $11,500. While you don’t have to install the most expensive one to shelter your home, even the most affordable options are not that cheap for most homeowners.
However, you could opt for repairs if the damage does not require replacement. According to Forbes, minor repairs cost you between $150 and $1,500, whereas major ones cost $1,500 and $7,000.
If you have Kansas City water line insurance, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Habitat for Humanity can partner with various volunteers and help you replace your roof. It also offers loans that can help you cover the cost of the work. The payments will help fund other home preservation services across the city.
Protecting Your Outdoor Structures
A safe and well-maintained space also includes outdoor structures. These structures, like sheds and decks, are prone to wear and tear over time. Strong winds and heavy snow can also contribute to their deterioration.
If your outdoor shed or deck gets damaged, you must repair or replace it. Professional outdoor shed builders in Kansas City will charge you between $495 and $1,762 to repair your old shed, according to Home Advisor. According to Forbes, deck building is even more expensive, with an average cost of around $11,000.
Most hardscaping projects are expensive, and most homeowners do not have the extra cash to pay for costly repairs or replacements. That is where Habitat for Humanity comes in handy.
With Kansas City water line insurance, Habitat for Humanity can provide affordable options to repair or replace your outdoor structures. Its partnerships with local volunteers allow for cost-effective solutions that still maintain quality work. Whether replacing a few shingles on your shed or completely rebuilding your deck, they can help you protect your outdoor structures without breaking the bank. Additionally, if you opt for a loan from Habitat for Humanity, your payments will go towards funding other home preservation services throughout Kansas City. That means that your contribution helps you protect your property and supports the community as a whole.
Take our word for it – revamping your home from out-of-pocket costs will overwhelm you. For this reason, Kansas City water line insurance has proved essential for protecting homes. It can help cover the financial burden of unexpected damage that needs repairs or replacement. With the help of Habitat for Humanity, you can ensure that your property is well-maintained. You will also be contributing to the betterment of your community. Want such cost-saving and informative information? Scour our website for more.