Making your home a priority this Spring
Every new season brings a checklist of essential tasks to prepare your home for the season to come.
The transition from colder months to the warmer weather is the ideal time to tackle some spring home maintenance jobs. These will ensure your home runs more safely and smoothly for the months ahead.
Preparation for the upcoming season involves more than just routine tasks, it’s about preparing for, as well as anticipating and addressing, potential sources of damage and discomfort. By taking these proactive steps, you can ensure your home is safe and functional all season long.
Here is a checklist for your spring home maintenance:
Replace A/C filters
Cleaning your air conditioning system to prepare for spring is essential to improving your indoor air quality, and to ensuring the optimal performance and thus the longevity of your A/C system. To do this, you should replace or clean the filters and vents, and inspect and clean the outdoor unit as well.
Check smoke alarms
Be sure to check that your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are in working order. Replace batteries if you need to and reassess your emergency plans to see if they are still relevant.
Should any significant issues be noted, or repairs required, it is important to enlist the help of qualified professionals. This will go a long way in reducing your risks and protecting your home.
Prevent leaks
Prevent water from entering your home by ensuring that your window seals and roof tiles are doing what they should. Replace worn or damaged ones before the rainy season starts.
Clean your gutters
Remove any leaves or debris that may have accumulated over winter before the onset of the summer storms. Clogged gutters can cause water to not flow properly from the home, this can lead to foundational damage, leaky roofs and can also attract pests. Cleaning your gutters also protects your home from mould, mildew, water and structural damage.
Repair cracks
Spring is the perfect time to repair any cracks your walls might’ve presented during the winter months. Polyfilla and a fresh coat of paint will go a long way in protecting your walls while making them look good, too.
Trim back those trees
Take a walk around your garden and inspect your tress and foliage to see if any bushes or branches are encroaching on your home or power lines. Trim them back where possible in order to protect your home from falling trees and branches during the seasonal storms.
Inspect your roof
Inspecting and repairing any damage to your roof is an important part of preparing your home for spring. It is important to check for things like loose or missing shingles, leaks, or any weakened areas.
You should make necessary repairs to any issues or damage to reduce the possibility of leaks. You can also check the indoor ceiling for signs of leaks. Be sure to fix any problems before they escalate to prolong your roof’s lifespan.
Lastly, don’t forget to review your insurance coverage. Check your homeowner’s insurance to make sure that it provides enough coverage for and springtime risks like storm damage or flooding.
For questions or advice regarding personal insurance, contact us on 0860 13 13 14 or email us at indwe@indwe.co.za.
Indwe Risk Services is an authorised Financial Services Provider FSP 3425