A New Year’s home health check-up
This year, help your home be at its best
As the holidays wind down and we head into a new year, we are reminded of the many ways we can create fresh starts and develop practices towards well-being. Just like the holistic benefits we receive in seeing our healthcare professionals every year, so do our homes benefit from annual attention paid to our daily living spaces. Here, we speak with Berkley One Property Claims Supervisor John McDaniel about how we can give our homes the regular check-ups they need to function at their best year-round.
Plumbing
Water damage is the leading cause of property loss, so it’s wise to spend time and care monitoring for any existing issues and helping to prevent any future ones.
“Annual check-ups on your water heater are important, to help mitigate sediment buildup, poor efficiency, and potential leaks,” notes McDaniel.
Though the average lifespan of a water heater is 5 to 10 years, homeowners will often hold onto heaters beyond this timeframe—making it all the more necessary to have a professional examine equipment on a regular basis. For those with tankless water heaters, be sure to descale these annually to help counter build-up and ensure the unit is functioning properly. While a plumber is onsite, ask them to check that toilet shut-off valves are working as they should, and that drain pan lines are free and clear, preventing buildup and backflow of water. And if there is a leak in the home, be sure that you know the location of shut-off valves, to stop water quickly.
HVAC
To maintain efficient heating and cooling systems, service your units twice a year—in the fall for your furnace, and in the spring for your AC unit. In between these visits, remember to replace air filters on a regular basis—every couple of months, or even monthly, depending on your home. It may help to set an alarm for yourself, or to create a system based on filter shipments.
“I remember to replace my filters every time I receive them in the mail,” notes McDaniel.
In addition to ensuring your home has proper heating and cooling, routine servicing of HVAC units is also critical for efficiency and overall health. “If these units are not working properly, you may run into situations of increased electric bills and high home humidity,” says McDaniel.
Home Exterior
Early spring is a good time to ask a roofer to come out and ensure that the home’s exterior—the roof, gutters, windows, and doorways—are operating as they should. A roofer can look for any missing shingles that may have resulted from that year’s weather, clear gutters of leaves and debris, and look for any animals that may have found a way to enter the home. They also may be able to provide opinions about surrounding trees, and should they pose a risk to the home, the importance of calling an arborist for their removal. “This is an annual must,” says McDaniel. “If you have a gutter full of leaves and then receive a big rainstorm, you could have water coming into the house if the downspouts are blocked.”
While reviewing the home’s exterior, take a moment to check all doors and windows, as well. When installed new, these points of entry have a waterproof silicone sealant around them, which can deteriorate over time.
“If this sealant isn’t regularly checked and maintained, water can more easily enter the home,” says McDaniel.
Home Interior
As water damage can occur throughout the home, McDaniel suggests building a habit of routinely scanning ceilings, closets and storage spaces. “We don’t look at these spots frequently, so it’s good to walk through the house with a closer eye for any signs of damage and discoloration,” he says. While you are looking up at ceilings, consider it a good opportunity to change out smoke alarm batteries, too. “Be sure to change these at least once a year, and to do all of your home’s alarms at once,” says McDaniel. “It’s one more way to more efficiently care for the home by targeting a few things at once.”
Berkley One’s risk management and claims experts are here to help with proactive advice and risk consulting, for home maintenance and beyond. Take advantage of Berkley One’s PlusOnesm Service Network, a team of fully vetted and insured contractors and service providers specializing in home installations and repairs. To learn more, contact us here.
