Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
Big disasters like hurricanes can turn your home into an unsafe space. But that’s not all! Small things may chip away at your property and eventually damage it in ways you never imagined. While some risks may be common nuisances, others can be catastrophic. The best way to keep your valuables, home, and family safe is to protect them. More often than not, the most frequent causes of property damage remain consistent throughout the year. Understanding these dangers can help you plan to keep your home safe.
- Fire
Fire damage may account for a relatively low number of insurance claims. However, its financial impact can be substantially greater than other kinds of disasters. You must ensure your home has well-functioning fire extinguishers that are up-to-date. Store these safety essentials in the appropriate location, inspect your smoke detectors, and learn to use your electrical appliances safely to reduce fire risks. You can protect your belongings and family by developing an action plan for fire emergencies. This way, everyone will know what to do to stay safe.
- Wind and hail
Wind and hail are among the leading causes of home damage and home insurance claims. Dangerous storms can threaten roof shingles, siding, and flashing. Therefore, you have to make sure your home’s exterior is well-maintained. If you live in a hurricane-prone region, make sure you have a plan to protect your home before disaster strikes.
- Theft
Theft is another danger to watch for in your home. It makes the list of the common causes of property loss claims, representing 4% of losses. You can take several steps to make your home less vulnerable to thieves: designing your landscaping with theft in mind, installing outdoor lighting, and using smart alarm systems are practical tips to safeguard your home.
- Ignoring roof inspection and repairs
All roofs experience natural weathering and aging. The consequences of prolonged exposure to harsh elements are generally evident in the tiny openings that pave the way for water infiltration. A regular roof inspection is one routine that helps homeowners prioritise maintenance to prevent further damage. Likewise, investing in professional roof gutter cleaning is necessary to keep your roof in good condition. Commercial and residential roof gutter cleaning services employ advanced vacuum technology to get down into your roof guttering and ensure there are no blockages to worry about. If hash elements have battered your roof for years, you may require a quality roof restoration to dramatically improve your property value and avoid further damage.
- Overlooking fading paint
Those flaky points on your home’s facade may seem like an aesthetic issue. But when ignored for far too long, flaking will leave you with more complicated problems. Paint flaking means you may have a hole in your shield, which can let in moisture to erode your home’s structure. When more water seeps in, you are going to have damage problems to deal with. Therefore, make it a point to close these holes and give your home a paint job.
- DYing insulation
Many homeowners assume that attic insulation isn’t a task for the professional. Just add a few sheets of foam, and that’s it, right? Well, not understanding how much insulation you require for attic insulation could be a mistake. Applying too much insulation in the wrong area can cause wood to rot. The bad news is realising this blunder may take a few years, which could be too late to save your home.
Failing to insulate your windows well is another bad decision that can translate to loss of significant heat or air, depending on the season. It can make your home less energy efficient and prone to moisture. Hiring experts to insulate your home the right way makes sense if you lack the experience to do the job.
- Insects swarming around your siding
Another common threat to your home is flying insects swarming around one area of your siding. Small holes may imply insect invasion; bees and wasps are good at building nests in your walls. Have you recently noticed this phenomenon? If yes, get experts to remove the culprits before they destroy your home. Checking small holes and chew marks below your siding is an easy way to determine what creatures live in there. Rodents like rats and squirrels mostly reside on ground level, so feel free to consider this.
- Water damage
Many homeowners think of damage from hurricanes and heavy rains when it comes to water damage. However, several property losses result from non-weather related issues. Examples of this include plumbing-related losses like pipes, drains, and valves. Find out what frequently causes water damage in your location and take measures to prevent them.
