Fall Home Maintenance: 8 Ways to Help Keep Your Home Safe

Fall is a good time to take a closer look at your home and make sure everything is ready for the colder months ahead. A little maintenance now can make a big difference in preventing damage later, and it's also a chance to check that your homeowners insurance coverage still matches your home's current condition and needs.

Most homeowners policies cover sudden and unexpected damage, not problems caused by normal wear and tear or neglected upkeep. Taking care of small issues before they grow is one of the simplest ways to protect your home.

From cleaning your gutters to scheduling a heating system checkup, here are eight things you can do this fall to help keep your home safe.

1. Clean your gutters

Once leaves start falling, they can quickly pile up. Clogged gutters can prevent water from draining properly, which can lead to water damage around your roof, siding or foundation. Every so often, you should clear out your gutters and downspouts to make sure water is being directed away from your home.

2. Check your roof

Before winter weather arrives, take a good look at your roof for missing, cracked or damaged shingles, as well as damaged flashing around chimneys, vents and skylights.

If your roof is damaged by a covered event, such as a windstorm or fallen tree, your homeowners insurance may help cover repairs. However, normal wear and tear or a lack of proper maintenance is generally not covered. If you’re unsure where your roof stands, fall is a great time to have it professionally inspected.

3. Protect your pipes

Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and burst, potentially resulting in significant water damage. Before temperatures drop, homeowners should disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas of the home. It’s also crucial to learn where your main water shutoff valve is located in the event a pipe does unexpectedly burst.

Homeowners coverage for water damage due to burst pipes can vary based on the circumstances and your specific policy. Policies often help with repair costs, but damage that occurs because of long-term maintenance neglect may not be covered.

4. Assess your trees

Dead branches and unstable trees can become hazards when they’re exposed to strong winds and heavy ice and snow.

Walk around your property and look for any trees or branches that could fall on your home, vehicle or other structures. Have a professional evaluate the health of any tree you’re concerned about.

When a tree falls on a home, garage or other covered structure due to a covered event, like a storm, many homeowners insurance policies cover the resulting damage. Coverage for tree removal, however, is dependent on the situation and policy.

5. Prepare your heating system for use

Whether your home is heated via furnace, baseboard heating, a mini-split system or a fireplace, it’s smart to schedule a checkup before the first use of the season to make sure your system is in good working order. Additionally, filters should be regularly replaced, and chimneys should be inspected and cleaned to minimize the risk of fire.

Homeowners insurance typically provides coverage for fire-related damage, but prevention is always the best protection.

6. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

On the topic of fires and heat-related concerns, fall is an ideal time to test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Replace batteries as needed and make sure you have working detectors on each level of your home and near anywhere people sleep.

It’s also smart to regularly review your family’s fire escape plan and make sure everyone in the household knows where to go and how to get out safely.

7. Secure outdoor spaces

Before the first winter storm or freeze of the season, get your outdoor spaces cold-weather-ready.

Outdoor furniture, grills, decorations and other loose items should be brought in or secured. Check fences, decks and other outdoor structures for damage, such as loose boards, broken railings and other issues, to help prevent injuries if winter weather strikes.

8. Update your insurance policy as needed

Completing the maintenance checklist we’ve suggested above allows you to be tuned in to your home’s current condition and aware of any repairs or updates needed — including to your insurance policy.

Have you renovated your kitchen, finished your basement or added a deck? Did you buy new furniture, electronics or other valuable belongings. Have you made any other significant changes to your home since your last policy review? Any of these changes could affect what kind and how much coverage you need.

It’s also a good time to make sure you understand your deductible, coverage limits and any exclusions that may apply to your policy. Knowing what your coverage includes before you need it can make a stressful situation a little easier.

Be winter-ready

Fall home maintenance is about much more than keeping your house looking and performing its best. It’s about identifying potential problems before they become bigger ones and making sure your home is ready for whatever the next season brings.

A few simple checks now can help protect your home, your belongings and your loved ones. If it’s been a while since you’ve reviewed your homeowners insurance policy, fall is the perfect time to do it, especially if you’re planning to update it. Connect with your local Rockingham Insurance agent to understand your options and determine whether your current policy still fits your home and your needs.

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