Protect Your Property from Water and Weather Damage

Yep – it’s getting cold out! It’s the time of year for crock pots, heavy sweaters and sitting by the fire in the evening. Well, before you get too comfortable, and before the bad weather hits, there are a few things you should do to protect your home and property from water and weather damage over the winter months.

In a recent interview on Global TV, Alex Walker of RSA Insurance spoke about what you can do to protect your property from water and weather damage. “Your house is your single biggest investment”, now is the time to protect your home, business and car.

Some of the top tips for taking care of your home before the bad weather hits include:

• Inspect and Repair Your Roof

Water damage from a roof is much more than just unsightly stains on the ceiling. Wet insulation, rot and mold can all cause serious damage down the road.

• Itemize Your Possessions

This can be done simply and easily with the snap of a button. Photos and videos are a fast and easy way to document your possessions. In case anything does happen, you have more than enough evidence to support your claim.

• Have Your Trees Trimmed

Have tree branches trimmed if they are growing near or hanging over your home. Also, any dead limbs o unhealthy plants should be removed. In the event of severe weather, these plants pose a danger to your home.

• Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

“This should be done a few times a year’” says Walker. Further, he advised that drains for the downspouts should be at least three feet away from your house.

• Check Your Basement

Start with the sewer pipe making sure water isn’t coming up through the pipe. Also, the land around your home should all slope away from the foundation. Install a back flow valve or a sump pump in the basement.

• Protect Your Furnace and Appliances

Make sure any HVAC equipment, electrical systems components, washer and dryers etc are all raised at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

There are many other simple things you can do to take care of your home, property and belongings. For example, never store your belongings in cardboard boxes in the basement on the floor. Always store them up on a shelf, or better yet, in plastic totes.

When removing grass clippings, leaves and debris from your yard, do not put them on the street as they can plug the drains preventing proper drainage during a heavy rainfall.

Never pour fat, oil and grease down the drain. Grease hardens as it cools and can block the drain.

Most importantly, and right now! Walker advises you should “talk to your insurance broker and make sure that you have the proper coverage in place beforehand.” Call McDougall Insurance & Financial at 1-800-361-0941 to ask about your water coverage.