Toilet failures are the second leading source of residential water losses, after plumbing supply line failures. Toilet backups/overflows may be due to faulty fill valves or clogged drain lines.
A review by the IBHS of homeowners’ insurance claims resulting from toilet failures submitted by multiple insurance companies around the country revealed:
- 78% of all toilet failures were caused by faulty supply lines, toilet flanges, fill valve assemblies or toilets that have backed up and overflowed.
- Toilet failures cost an average of $5,584 per incident, after the deductible was paid.
- Slow leaks resulting from faulty drain lines and toilet flanges (wax seals) generally result in less severe claims than those caused by the sudden failures of supply lines, fill valves, overflows and a cracked tank or bowl.
- Newer homes are more likely to have a water loss caused by a sudden failure, which results in more severe damage.
- Older homes are more likely to experience a water loss due to a slow and seeping failure. The loss severity decreases as the home ages.
- Toilet failures on the first floor resulted in more severe claims than those in basements or on upper floors.
- Approximately 14% of all toilet failures occurred in unoccupied homes.