I admit it. You want your home to be in great shape but you don’t necessarily want to spend your time off the ladder, pulling papers out of the gutter, fixing broken things, and generally taking care of your home.
But when your home is your biggest investment, maintaining it is a non-negotiable.
Also…if you have buildings insurance (or any insurance for that matter), it’s part of your contract with your insurance company to take care of your stuff.
What this means is that when you obtain royalty cover for your valuables, such as your car, home, or appliances, you need to take necessary and reasonable steps to prevent or minimize loss, damage, injury, or liability. This includes maintaining your property so that it is in good shape and integrity.
Basically, if something goes wrong with your home and you file a buildings or home contents insurance claim, and we find out that the reason for your claim is because you haven’t been taking good care of your property, your claim may be denied.
It’s much better to avoid all of that by using the King’s summer home maintenance checklist.
Starting from the outside
- General Debris: Gather leaves, clean branches, and move rocks that are piled on the ground.
- Trees: Dead or dying trees are a danger, so remove dead branches and hire an arborist to cut down problem trees.
- Hedges and Beds: Pull out dead parts, mow off overgrowth, and plant your favorite perennials.
- Lawns: Remove bald patches, apply fertilizer, mow weeds, and make sure your mower has been maintained so it’s suitable for summer growing.
- Sprinklers: If your plants and garden need additional water, it might be time to set up a sprinkler system. Make sure the valves are clean, replace leaking valves, and make sure the spray is wide enough.
- Pool: Keep leaves and debris out of the water, scrub the sides once or twice a month to keep algae growth under control, check filter basket and chemical levels weekly, and monitor water level.
Move outside into your home
- Walk around and inspect: Look for cracks in the concrete, driveway condition, loose or broken roof shingles, signs of wear on the chimney, and signs of water pooling or cracks on the facade and foundation.
- Gutters: Clogged gutters are a major problem, so clean them at least twice a year (or more often if necessary). Also check for damage.
- Wash your house: Houses can get very dirty, with grit sticking to the facade and bird droppings, so wait for a dry day, close all windows and doors, pull out your garden hose or even rent a power washer if necessary.
- Fresh Paint Job: Exterior paint protects your property from water damage and rot, so look for signs of peeling or cracking paint and touch-ups where needed.
- Yard: Sweep and clean it, pulling any leaves or debris from between the boards and checking for signs of cracked wood and loose screws. After you’ve thoroughly scrubbed the wood, treat the wood with borate moss to protect it from wood rot before staining and sealing it.
Let’s go inside
- Plumbing: Either call a plumber in for an annual checkup, or give your pipes a good once over to check for signs of leaks, check your ceilings for pop-up water spots, and look for dripping faucets.
- Ceiling fans: Flick it and reverse the setting counterclockwise, which pushes the air down and creates a gentle breeze.
- Air Conditioning: Clean the filters and if there are strange noises, see a professional.
- Check smoke detectors and replace them with new ones if necessary.
- Insects and Other Pests: Some infestations, such as a single ant trail, can be resolved with a spray can and a thorough cleaning of the area, but others, such as termites, require professional help.
For the good of the king and the castle
We hope this checklist will help you, not only in keeping your house running like a well-oiled machine, but also if you are thinking of selling your house in the future, you can get a better price if you have taken care of it. He. She.
Oh, and of course, maintaining your home will also ensure that you did everything you could to prevent an accident that could cause damage and loss. And if something happens, your claim will most likely be paid.
Don’t have property or home contents insurance in your life? Click here for an obligation-free quote today!