Here’s a quick checklist that can help you freshen up your home and protect it against springtime elements.
- Clean gutters and downspouts. This will help water flow easily, so it won’t get backed up and damage your house.
- Check your roof and chimneys for damage, and get it repaired as soon as possible.
- Wash windows and screens inside and out. Screens should be taken outside, then rinsed thoroughly with soap and water. If screens are damaged, repair or replace them.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This should be done every three months so you and your family will stay protected in case of fire, smoke or a carbon monoxide leak.
- Vacuum the lint from the hose of your clothes dryer. Built-up lint can cause a fire.
- Test GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets, which are designed to protect you from electric shocks. Plug in a lamp, push the test button and then the reset button to see if it turns the light off and on again.
- Check trees around the house to make sure they’re not too close to power lines, and call a tree service to trim them back if they are.
- Change furnace filters to keep them running efficiently.
- Check the ground around the foundation of your house and re-grade it if necessary. This can help keep water overflows away from the house and prevent water damage.
- Make sure there are no leaks or drafts around doors or windows. If there are, seal them with caulking.
Source: Chubb
