Contact:
Karl Newman, President
Darrin Sanger, Communications Director
NW Insurance Council
Phone: (206) 624-3330
Fax: (206) 624-1975
karl.newman@nwinsurance.org
darrin.sanger@nwinsurance.org
Spring means responsible home maintenance
SEATTLE
- Spring is here and, for many, it means the start of outdoor
projects to enhance lawns, gardens and home exteriors.
Spring
also is an ideal time to inspect in and around your home
for wear and tear and safety hazards. From cracked foundations
to clogged gutters to worn shingles, improperly maintained
homes can lead to unnecessary insurance claims or expensive
repairs down the road.
"Homeowners
Insurance is designed to protect you from sudden and accidental
losses such as fire, windstorm, theft or a broken water
pipe," said Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president.
"It's not intended to cover maintenance-related issues such
as water damage from a leaky roof or a cracked foundation.
Each homeowner is responsible for conducting regular preventive
maintenance."
NW Insurance
Council offers the following tips to help you conduct home
exterior maintenance and reduce safety hazards.
- Check and clean gutters.
- Check the roof. Look for worn, curled or missing shingles
and replace them immediately.
- Repair loose or damaged siding.
- Examine soffit boards (horizontal surfaces under eaves).
- Make sure downspouts slope away from the home and
carry water at least five feet from the foundation walls.
- Have a professional inspect your air conditioning
system.
- Make sure sprinkler heads are directed away from the
house to prevent water build-up near foundation walls.
- Remove clutter from storage areas to reduce fire hazards.
- Examine decks, porches and balconies for weak or broken
railings and posts. Railings should be spaced no more
than four inches apart to prevent children from slipping
through.
- Caulk and reseal window and door flashing, seals or
weather stripping.
- Check attic for moisture and surface discoloration.
- Check fire extinguishers in your kitchen and garage
to make sure they are full and work properly.
- When outdoor electrical outlets are located near water
sources, install special outlets equipped with ground-fault
circuit interrupters.
- Be sure exterior walls are well painted and sealed.
- Inspect your lawn for rocks or other objects that
could be launched from your lawnmower.
To order
a free copy of our Maintenance Guide for Your Home, call
NW Insurance Council at (800) 664-4942. For more information
about insurance, visit www.nwinsurance.org.
NW
Insurance Council is a nonprofit, public-education organization
funded by member insurance companies serving Washington,
Oregon and Idaho.
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