January is often known for resolutions and fresh opportunities. One of the most important tasks you can do is follow a few homeowner tips to make sure your house is well-prepared for winter. The month of January is often the coldest in Florida, and rain is common. Staying proactive by preparing your home for colder weather can help you avoid future issues and save you from a lot of stress.
Here are a few homeowner tips you should do to prepare your house for winter.
Check Your Roof
Leaves and other debris can eventually pile up on your roof and cause long-term damage. Hiring someone to inspect and sweep off your roof is important in protecting your house. You might also need to hire a roofing company to make a few repairs. Taking care of repairs now can save you money in the future and extend the lifespan of your roof.
Flush Water Heater
One often overlooked part of home maintenance is flushing your water heater. Doing this will remove any built-up sediment and it helps your system to operate more efficiently. It’s even possible to prolong the lifespan of your water heater by performing this task once or twice a year. You can learn more about this process by checking out this article about flushing your water heater.
Inspect Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can eventually stop working. Sometimes, they only need their batteries replaced. Winter is the perfect time to check these detectors and replace batteries if needed. These steps will only take a few minutes, and it’s well worth the effort to keep you and your family safe.
Switch Out Your HVAC Filters
Air filters in your home need to be replaced every few months. Usually, it’s a good idea to switch out these filters during the start of a new season. A new filter allows your heater and air conditioner to operate more efficiently, and it puts less strain on your system. You are less likely to deal with repairs and it helps to lower your utility bill.
Review and Update Your List of Inventory
Making sure to keep your inventory list up to date is essential for insurance purposes. An inventory list makes it much easier to file a claim if any of your items are ever lost or damaged due to an incident. Looking over your inventory list shouldn’t take too long, and you can add any new items to make sure everything is current.
Check Your Pipes
Pipes can freeze during the winter, and this can cause water damage in your home. A plumber can inspect your pipes to make sure there are no leaks or damages. Getting your pipes insulated for the colder temperatures is one of the most important homeowner tips. Insulated pipes are much less likely to burst, and it’s one less thing you will need to worry about during the winter months.
Prepare for Emergencies
An emergency can happen at your home when you least expect it. While tropical storms aren’t common in January, it’s still a good time to go over your emergency plans for the future. Creating an emergency kit and reviewing your family’s plan for these situations are all keys to staying safe. Planning ahead of time for different situations will make it much easier to deal with any crisis.
Weatherproof Your Home
Spending time weatherproofing your house for winter is also important. You can do this task in various ways, such as checking the doors and windows for any drafts of air. You might need to add caulk to the windows or install new weatherstripping for the door. Doing these steps can make your home more comfortable and save you money on your energy bill.
Don’t Forget About Your Yard
Trying to follow all of these homeowner tips can make it easy to forget about your yard. However, it’s important to trim back tree limbs and remove any vegetation that’s too close to your home. Doing this now helps to keep your yard looking neat, but it also reduces the risk of damage to your house.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
January is the perfect time to review your home insurance. Make sure your coverage is up to date and that it meets all of your needs. If you completed any home improvement projects, it’s important to reach out to your insurance provider to let them know of the changes. Asking an insurance agency to look over your policy and compare coverage with multiple agencies is a great way to save money.
Want to Learn More Homeowner Tips? Contact Wellcovered Insurance!
Wellcovered Insurance understands the importance of staying prepared for any situation. Buying home insurance is key to limiting risks, and it will provide you with peace of mind.
We also offer many other insurance options, whether you are searching for condo, mobile home, car, motorcycle, flood insurance, and more. Our core values are all about staying helpful, over-communicating, taking the right action, defining problems, and finding the best solutions.
We are also happy to answer all of your insurance questions. You can also drop by our office in Orange City at any time. Staying active in the local community is a priority, and we are one of the top-rated insurance agencies.
Give Wellcovered Insurance a call today, and let us help you find insurance to best meet your needs!
