As the cold weather moves in, many homeowners will take steps to prepare their homes for the most festive months of the year. However, in addition to anticipating the season’s high points, it’s also important to maintain your property to avoid insurance claims. If you’re trying to avoid a claim this season, add these items to your fall home maintenance checklist.

3 Fall Maintenance Tips to Help You Avoid Insurance Claims

1. Insulate Piping

While you might not have to tend to every inch of plumbing in your house, it’s important to prepare the pipes in the coldest areas. If there are any pipes in your garage, or outside your home, cover them in insulation before the colder temperatures arrive. If the thermometer drops too low, your pipes could freeze, causing the water inside them to expand until the metal bursts. This could result in severe water damage and the need to file an insurance claim.

2. Clean the Gutters

As your drainage system fills with leaves, twigs, or becomes a shelter for birds and other wildlife throughout the year, it may prevent water from flowing through properly. As a result, water could pull up in your gutters, eventually spilling over the side. As water saturates the soil around your home’s foundation, it could seep into your home’s lower level, or cause the foundation to shift and crack. To avoid this issue, clean out debris with gloves or a leaf blower each fall.

3. Inspect the Attic

While you’ll probably be heading up to your attic soon to get out the holiday decorations, it’s crucial to make sure this tip is on your fall to-do list. In the attic, look for light streaming through, which could identify roof damage. Also, feel insulation for any soggy spots or check for greenish-black splotches. If there is a roof leak, you might have to schedule mold remediation quickly. You should also check your insulation to make sure it has not thinned or become ripped. Poor insulation can result in a drop in your home’s energy efficiency and increase your bills. 

If you’re hoping to stay one step ahead of winter issues, reach out to Integrity Insurance Solutions in San Marcos, TX. This independent company will search through a wide array of providers to find the policy that best meets your needs. Whether you want to protect your house, business, or car, call (512) 396-2211 to start discussing your plans with an agent. You can also visit the website to learn more about their offerings.