Fall in the Carolinas is the perfect time to get your home ready before winter. A little maintenance now prevents the kind of damage that leads to insurance claims later — and a home with fewer claims is a home with better rates.
1. Clean your gutters. Clogged gutters send water straight into your foundation and siding. A Saturday with a ladder saves you a water-damage claim.
2. Trim trees near the house. Dead limbs + winter wind = roof damage. Cut back anything hanging over your roof now.
3. Check your roof. Look for missing or curling shingles. A small leak caught in October is a repair; caught in February, it's a claim.
4. Service your HVAC. A furnace that hasn't been serviced is a fire risk. Get it checked before you need it every day.
5. Seal windows and doors. Drafts cost you money all winter. Weatherstripping is cheap and takes an afternoon.
6. Drain outdoor faucets. A burst pipe from a hard freeze is one of the most common winter claims we see.
7. Test smoke and CO detectors. Replace batteries and test every detector. It takes ten minutes and it saves lives.
Do these now and you'll head into winter with a safer home — and if something does happen, you know who to call: (704) 821-7630.