A Checklist for End-Of-Summer Home Maintenance

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If you have Preferred Mutual, though, you can Live Assured that when you need us, we’ll be there for you – any time, any season!

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For many homeowners, spring is a busy time of year to tend to the maintenance and upkeep tasks that have been set aside for “another day.”  Fall is just as critical a season for preparing your home to withstand the potentially harsh winter weather and frigid temperatures that may await you!

By making maintenance part of your annual fall routine, you’ll be identifying potential issues before they even arise, and help prepare your home and property for what Mother Nature has to offer!

Here are some tips from our Claims team to help you prepare for the coming change in seasons:

Prevent Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes cause billions of dollars’ worth of damage every year, with the average claim around $18,000 for one single home. To protect yourself, insulate water pipes in areas exposed to freezing temperatures using pipe sleeves, heat tape, or similar materials.

If you’re on a budget, you can even use 1/4” of newspaper to provide some insulation. However, it’s important to note that newspaper insulation won’t provide the same level of protection during frequent or prolonged sub-freezing temperatures!

Replace Air Filters

Easy and affordable, replacing your own air filters is extremely important to prolonging the engine life of your air conditioning system!  If you’re unsure of the type of filter size and quality is necessary for your HVAC system, get your unit serviced by a licensed HVAC maintenance company. A professional will help to improve the quality of the air throughout your home, which will help keep you and your family healthy!

Test Your Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors.

More than three people per hour become sick from carbon monoxide poisoning, which kills hundreds of people every year in the United States alone. Test your detector to make sure it still works! If yours is battery-operated, replace the battery every six months!

Your smoke detector is another life-saving feature of your home, but ensuring it still works is the priority all year round. Check all the smoke detectors in your home each month and replace all batteries every 3-6 months. We encourage a smoke detector on each floor of your home, and in each bedroom or sleeping area!

Other Life-Saving Tips for Fall

• Check gutters for damage and confirm they’re securely attached to the house.
• Clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating. This is especially important during the fall season when leaves may collect in gutters.
• Check and repair caulking around doors and windows that show signs of deterioration.
• Have your chimney cleaned and maintained by a professional.
• Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under and behind the dryer. Remove lint and dust that may have accumulated inside the dryer in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• Check electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs or receptacles. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets.
• Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible. Confirm that it is fully charged and ready for operation.

These steps can help protect your home and property from expensive damage! If you have Preferred Mutual, though, you can Live Assured that when you need us, we’ll be there for you – any time, any season!