We all think it will never happen to us… until it does.

Let’s do our best to avoid these three big ticket items:

• Water Damage
• Fire Damage
• Roof Damage

It already sounds stressful, but don’t worry! There are plenty of preventative actions that we can take to make sure that we don’t end up in a bad situation. Here’s a rundown of a few simple steps you can take to keep your home in great shape – including how to prevent a problem, what to look for, and the price tag of ignoring it.

Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most common causes of property related loss. We use our plumbing every day, but since it is “out of sight – out of mind” it’s so easy to ignore. Here’s what you can do about it:

• Keep your gutters clear of debris. Check in the fall and sprint – at least.
• Inspect your roof, inside and out
• Prevent pipes from freezing
• Make sure exposed pipes are properly insulated
• Look for areas of moisture or mold. Look for flaking paint or wallpaper, condensation on your windows in the mornings, or notice a musty smell.
• Push rain runoff away from the foundation with a rain gutter extender
• Shut off your main water valve before leaving for vacations.

Fire Damage

Faulty heating or electrical equipment can cause a house fire. Make sure to do these things regularly to avoid a house fire

• Test your smoke alarms regularly
• Inspect all of your heat sources
• Keep your stove and oven clean
• Keep fire extinguishers handy
• If you live in an older home with cloth covered wiring, you should have your home re-wired
• Clean and inspect you HVAC

Roof Damage

In Utah we are known for our winters and our heavy snowfall. While that’s great for skiing… it’s not-so-great for our roofs. Unfortunately with roofs, some damage may stay hidden until it’s too late. Here’s some action items you should take:

• If there are dead trees near your home, consider pulling them out
• Cut back limbs and branches that brush up against your roof
• Clean and repair your gutters
• Patch broken and missing shingles
• Reseal around piping and skylights
• Treat mildew and mold

Putting in a little extra time in between the seasons can go a long way in prolonging the life of your roof, and preventing water and fire damage.

If you have any questions or need a referral for a contractor to help, please email me at mccall@youragentmccall.com and I would be happy to recommend someone for you!