Now that fall is within sight, homeowners are starting to think about what they need to do to prepare their homes for the winter. Even if you have a great homeowners insurance policy, you don’t want to have to use it for something major that you could have avoided. At Brownell Insurance Center, our top priority is helping you protect your home and family.

 

Here’s a helpful list of what you check this fall to ensure your home is ready for winter.

 

Exterior Checks

Winter weather will hit the outside of your home first, so let’s begin with the exterior checks:

• Assess your roof. Look for worn, missing, or broken shingles. Even minor damage can lead to leaks, especially once snow builds up on your roof.

• Clean your gutters and drains. Clogged gutters can cause leaks, ice dams, erosion, and other kinds of water damage. You can also check for granules from your shingles while you’re up there.

• Inspect your siding and trim. Deteriorating siding or trim can affect insulation, lead to leaks, and allow for further damage to your home.

• Repair cracks and potholes in your driveway and walkways. Water expands when it freezes, so ice in cracks and potholes can make them bigger. You may not have time to repave before winter, but patching those areas will hold you over until you can.

• Look at your trees. If any trees are threatening to fall or are dangerously close to your house, consider trimming them back or taking them down.

 

Interior Checks

It’s not just the outside of your house that you have to think about. Here’s what you should check inside your home:

• Schedule a service for your A/C system. After using your air conditioning all summer, you want to make sure it’s still in good working order. If there’s anything wrong or any parts are wearing out, you want to know that now rather than later next summer when you need it.

• Inspect your water heater. If there is any corrosion or leaks in your water heater, you want to know now, not in the dead of winter.

• Test your smoke and CO2 alarms. You should do this at least once a year. Add it to your yearly checklist so you don’t forget.

• Replace damaged and work extension cords.  We all have extension cords and power strips that power lights, appliances, and devices. To prevent shorts and electrical fires, replace any that are worn or damaged.

 

Appliances

Last but not least, you need to check that your major appliances are working properly.

• Clean your dryer vent. Debris can build up in your dryer vent throughout the year. Clear it out thoroughly to allow air to flow freely.

• Check your washing machine hose. Over time, the hose to your washing machine can wear out. Replace it if it is brittle or cracked.

• Check water supply lines. Toilets, sinks, water dispensers, and other appliances all have water supply lines connected to them. To prevent leaks, replace any that are worn and tighten any that are loose.

 

Homeowners Insurance | Brownell Insurance Center

A lot goes into taking care of your home, which is why Brownell Insurance Center is here to help! We can review or update your homeowners insurance policy, and you can rely on us to be there when you need us. Contact us at 800-287-2467 to learn more.