【Exclusive Survey】Over 50% of Those Who Experienced Leaks Handled It Themselves!

The peak rainy season and typhoon season are fast approaching. Water leaks often occur in hard-to-see areas, making it difficult to grasp the severity until damage appears. Consequently, the initial response tends to be delayed, with people thinking, "I'll wait and see for a bit," or "Maybe I can handle this myself."

BEST Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, CEO: Hirofumi Igarashi, hereinafter "the Company"), which addresses housing concerns, has been solving life's "troubles" for over 20 years. Our specialized media for roofs and exterior walls, "Yane Gaibei Otasuke Honpo," provides accurate and useful information daily to resolve everyday issues.

We recently conducted an exclusive survey (200 valid responses) targeting homeowners of detached houses who have experienced water leaks.

The survey revealed that over half of respondents chose to "handle it themselves" or "wait and see" instead of calling a professional. However, it also became clear that in many cases, this did not lead to a fundamental solution, and respondents experienced recurrence or worsening of the problem.

This press release details the initial response after discovering a leak, the outcomes of self-treatment, and the actual repair costs incurred. We hope this information will be useful for those concerned about water leaks to prevent damage and minimize costs.

*When quoting the content of this press release, please adhere to the following:

- Indicate that the source is a "survey by BEST Co., Ltd."

Ex. According to a survey by BEST Co., Ltd., which operates the media "Yane Gaibei Otasuke Honpo" to resolve roof and exterior wall concerns.

- Include a link to Yane Gaibei Otasuke Honpo (https://roof.otasuke-honpo.com/)

【Survey Overview】

Target Audience: Homeowners of detached houses who have experienced water leaks at home

Survey Period: May 8, 2026

Survey Organization: In-house survey

Survey Method: Voluntary internet-based response

Number of Valid Responses: 200

Less Than Half Called a Professional Immediately After Discovering a Leak

Regarding the initial response immediately after noticing a water leak, only 47% responded that they "immediately contacted a specialized contractor."

On the other hand, 25% responded that they "attempted repairs/emergency measures themselves (DIY)," and 28% responded that they "did nothing and waited for a while (left it unattended)." This means that a majority of 53% attempted to deal with the issue themselves without professional help.

Water leaks often occur in hard-to-see areas like roofs and exterior walls, leading people to underestimate the situation, thinking, "It's probably fine even if it's a little bit." The psychology of "I'll decide after waiting a bit" or "Maybe I can handle it myself" is thought to be behind these numbers.

Top Reason for Not Hiring a Professional Was "Wanted to Keep Costs Down"

We asked those who chose to handle it themselves or wait and see (leave it unattended) why they did not immediately request a specialized contractor.

The most common reason was "Wanted to keep repair costs as low as possible (39%)," followed by "Thought it wasn't a big deal (35%)," and "Didn't know who to ask (29%)."

It is noteworthy that the top three reasons are distinct in nature. "Cost-saving awareness" is an economic decision, "Thought it wasn't a big deal" is optimism about the damage, and "Didn't know who to ask" is confusion due to lack of information.

It is believed that a combination of these three factors leads to the initial response of "I'll try to handle it myself for now."

Approximately 60% of Those Who Handled It Themselves Experienced Recurrence or Worsening

We asked those who chose to handle it themselves or leave it unattended about the subsequent situation.

A combined total of approximately 57% experienced recurrence or worsening, with "It stopped temporarily but recurred (50%)" and "The scope of damage expanded and worsened (7%)." Furthermore, adding "Ultimately couldn't fix it myself and called a contractor later (18%)," it calculates that approximately 75% did not achieve a fundamental solution with their initial actions.

Particularly concerning is that 50% experienced recurrence, which is the highest percentage. Even if emergency measures temporarily stop the water, if the fundamental cause is not resolved, it is common for leaks to occur again from the same spot.

Water leaks require not only addressing the surface symptoms but also accurately identifying the cause to achieve a fundamental solution.

14% Incurred "Over 1 Million Yen" in Final Repair Costs

Our survey on the total cost of water leak repairs and property restoration revealed that approximately half (48%) were able to keep costs "under 50,000 yen." On the other hand, 14% (about 1 in 7 people) responded with "over 1 million yen."

What becomes apparent here is the polarization of cost distribution. Cases that were dealt with early were kept under 50,000 yen, while cases where the damage became severe required repairs exceeding 1 million yen.

The survey results show that repair costs increase depending on the severity of the damage.

50% of Those Who Received Free Inspections Found "Causes They Didn't Notice Themselves"

One option for dealing with water leaks is a free inspection by a specialized contractor. However, the utilization rate of free inspections in this survey was only 18%. Concerns such as "Will there be aggressive sales tactics?" or "Will I be forced to sign a contract?" may be causing hesitation in using this service.

However, the feedback from those who actually used the service showed positive responses at the top: "Found causes I didn't notice myself and felt relieved (50%)," "No forced sales and was thorough (50%)," and "Was explained the current situation with photos, etc., and felt convinced (44%)."

The numbers indicate a gap between the psychological hurdle of inspections and the actual experience.

Roofs and exterior walls are difficult to see from the ground, making it hard to detect abnormalities. User feedback suggests that professional inspections lead to early detection of problems that individuals cannot notice themselves.

"I wish I had acted sooner" - Lessons Learned from Those Who Experienced It

In this survey, many free-response comments expressed sentiments like, "I wish I had consulted a specialized contractor sooner."

The words conveyed by those who have actually experienced water leaks have a reality that data alone cannot capture.

The background to these statements is the experience that decisions like "I'll wait and see for a bit" or "Maybe I can handle it myself" led to increased damage and higher repair costs.

The common thread is "I wish I had acted sooner." The experiences of those who have gone through it teach us that addressing the issue as soon as an abnormality is felt can minimize both costs and damage.

Summary: Early Detection and Early Response for Leaks is the "Biggest Saving"

This survey revealed that while over half of those who experienced water leaks attempt to handle it themselves, approximately 75% of them did not achieve a fundamental solution.

The desire to "save money" is considered one of the reasons for delaying the initial response. However, DIY emergency repairs or leaving the issue unattended can lead to recurrence or worsening, resulting in repair costs exceeding 1 million yen in some cases.

Especially during the rainy and typhoon seasons, damage is prone to expand due to heavy rain and strong winds. Repair requests tend to surge, making it difficult to secure contractors. Addressing the issue while the damage is small can reduce repair costs and minimize damage to your home.

To resolve concerns about water leaks and protect your valuable home, we recommend considering an inspection by a specialized contractor before the peak season arrives. Accurately identifying the cause and addressing it promptly is the best way to "save money."

"Yane Gaibei Otasuke Honpo," operated by BEST Co., Ltd., introduces reputable contractors who have cleared our unique screening criteria. We provide an environment where even those who are concerned about "not knowing who to ask" or "aggressive sales tactics" can confidently request free inspections and renovations.

Please feel free to contact us before the full rainy and typhoon season begins.

【About BEST Co., Ltd.】

Company Name: BEST Co., Ltd.

CEO: Hirofumi Igarashi

Location: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

Established: 2004

Business Activities: Life Media Business

URL: https://best24.co.jp

【Contact Information for Inquiries】

BEST Co., Ltd.: Marketing Department

Email: [email protected]

URL: https://best24.co.jp/

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