The colours of autumn are already here! Now is the time to think about the little jobs that need doing around your home before the cold weather sets in. Regular maintenance of your home not only helps to preserve its value, but also helps to prevent certain types of damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we\u2019ve put together a few simple steps that could help you avoid costly insurance claims. Follow the AMR guide for your autumn maintenance!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take the time to clean and store away your garden furniture, flower boxes and decorative items. As for the barbecue, make sure you protect it properly from the elements. If you store your barbecue indoors, the propane cylinder must be kept outside in a safe place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keeping your items neatly stored will prevent them from being damaged or causing damage in the event of a windstorm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a crucial step to prevent pipes from bursting due to frost. Turn off the supply valve indoors. Disconnect your garden hoses. Drain the water from your outdoor taps and leave them open until spring. A small precaution that could save you from unpleasant surprises later on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remove dead leaves and debris blocking your gutters and downpipes. Good water flow is essential for keeping moisture away from your foundations. This will help prevent water seepage during winter thaws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visually inspect your roof tiles to identify any that are lifted, cracked or missing. Repair damaged sections promptly to prevent water from seeping under the roof during heavy rain or when the snow melts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walk round your house to check for any new cracks in the foundations or external cladding. Sealing these before winter will prevent major water ingress during the spring thaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To ensure the safe use of your fireplace or wood-burning stove, an annual professional chimney sweep is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspect your heating systems (electric baseboard heaters, oil-fired boilers or heat pumps). Change the filters to optimise their efficiency and take the time to dust the heating vents. Give your fireplace or wood-burning stove a thorough clean and make sure they are still working properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nMake the most of the time change in November to replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. This simple routine could save your life in the event of a fire!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
8. Seal doors and windows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Check the insulation around your doors and windows. If the sealant is dry or cracked, replace it. Adding draught excluders is a simple and cost-effective way to prevent heat loss and reduce your energy bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our tips for optimising your home maintenance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Autumn is the ideal time to carry out essential maintenance work before the cold, frost and snow set in for good. By establishing a good maintenance routine, you\u2019ll prepare your home to withstand the rigours of winter, whilst reducing the risk of fires, water damage or damage caused by bad weather. It\u2019s the key to saving yourself a lot of hassle!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Prevention is always a good idea:<\/strong> don\u2019t put off carrying out the necessary work! It\u2019s always easier \u2013 and cheaper \u2013 to fix minor problems before they cause major damage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- Get started before the cold weather sets in:<\/strong> Carry out your work in early autumn whilst the weather is still mild. Similarly, prioritise the outside of the house over the inside. Inspecting or repairing a roof when it\u2019s buried under snow is much more difficult!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- Keep all your maintenance invoices:<\/strong> They\u2019re always useful in the event of a claim. For example, if your fireplace causes a fire, having proof of a professional inspection shows that the fire wasn\u2019t due to negligence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
A good time to review your home insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Autumn is also the ideal time to review your home insurance<\/a> policy. Has your situation changed? Have you carried out any renovations that have increased the value of your property? Are you properly insured against water damage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n