Give Your Home a Seasonal Tune-up!

4/14/2023

Local SERVPRO® franchise professional says routine maintenance can help prevent the common sources of fire and water damage in homes and businesses

Spring is the perfect time to assess the maintenance of your home after the long, cold, brutal winter months. A checklist from the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) outlines what it takes to help ensure your home is healthy - such as keeping it dry, clean, well-ventilated, free from contaminants, pest-free, safe and well-maintained.

As the disaster remediation specialists at SERVPRO know, unexpected issues can quickly turn your dream home into a nightmare. "While we specialize in cleanup, restoration and construction after a fire or water loss, we think it's even more important to do what you can to help prevent these losses in the first place," says Christian Isaacson of SERVPRO of Boise. "Routine and effective maintenance will help you meet all these healthy home criteria and serves as one of your best defenses against the curveballs that can be thrown at your home."

While catastrophic events like storm-related wind, water and hail damage are usually covered by most standard homeowner's insurance policies, many maintenance-related claims are not - such as leaks over time or mold from lack of ventilation.1 So, on top of suffering a loss to property, there is a good chance the property owner will be on the hook for the entire cost of remediation and repairs.

To help pinpoint common areas of concern for routine home maintenance, the NCHH developed a Healthy Homes Maintenance Checklist.2

"We deal with the consequences of unfortunate disasters that negatively impact the lives of property owners every day," says Isaacson. "The routine and simple spring maintenance tasks on this checklist can help minimize the types of hazards we specialize in remediating, and they can preempt many of the bigger problems that can cause significant damage to your property."

Fire

Clean dryer vents and screens.
Check electrical equipment for damaged cords.
Test all ground fault circuit interrupters.

Water and mold

Clean downspouts and gutters and ensure they direct water away from your home.
Look for damaged or failing waterproofing, often caused by storms, such as lifting shingles, loose siding, or leaks around doors and windows.
Test your sump pump, including the check valve. Clear out floor drains.
Check hoses for leaks under sinks and on your water heater, washer, and refrigerator water dispenser.

"As a leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration services, SERVPRO understands that there are some things we simply can't control," says Rick Isaacson, CEO of Servpro Industries, LLC. "The weather is certainly one of those things. In spring, storms may bring flooding rain, lightning-sparked fires, and high winds, all of which can wreak havoc on homes and businesses. That's why it's important to take control where we can. Performing timely spring maintenance could be one small step to helping prevent a larger disaster that could permanently impact your family or property."

SERVPRO specializes in disaster cleaning, restoration, and construction services, helping to remediate damage, making it "Like it never even happened," for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on SERVPRO of Boise, please contact Christian Isaacson at (208) 375-0300 or Cisaacson@servproboise.com. For more information about SERVPRO, please visit servpro.com.

About SERVPRO
For more than 50 years, SERVPRO has been a trusted leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration services, construction, mold mitigation, biohazard and pathogen remediation. SERVPRO's professional services network of more than 2,000 individually owned and operated franchises spans the United States and Canada, responding to property damage emergencies large and small – from million-square-foot commercial facilities to individual homes. When disaster strikes, homeowners, business owners and major insurance companies alike rely on SERVPRO to help make it "Like it never even happened."

4 Comments

Home Ownership link

4/26/2023 02:05:43 pm

Thank you for your sound advice and tips. Really appriciable and useful post! The House Method team conducts regular proprietary research to bring you insights about home ownership, home renovation.

Dave Weilder link

5/10/2023 07:46:32 pm

Thank you for sharing this informative post on giving our homes a seasonal tune-up. Your tips are very helpful, and I appreciate the emphasis you place on checking for water leaks.

Water leaks are a common problem in many homes, and they can cause significant damage if not addressed promptly. The tips you provided on checking for leaks in the roof, gutters, and pipes are all important steps in preventing water damage. Additionally, it's essential to check for leaks in appliances such as the washing machine and dishwasher, which can also cause water damage.

Another important aspect of preventing water damage is ensuring proper drainage around the home. Checking that gutters and downspouts are clear of debris and functioning correctly is crucial in preventing water damage to the foundation and basement.

Overall, your post provides valuable information on how to protect our homes from water damage. Thank you for sharing these tips and emphasizing the importance of preventative maintenance to avoid costly repairs and damage to our homes.

Dave Hinson link

5/28/2023 10:10:36 pm

I recently visited your blog post titled "Give Your Home a Seasonal Tune-Up" and wanted to express my appreciation for the valuable information and tips you provide in this article. Your post offers practical advice on how homeowners can prepare their homes for seasonal changes, ensuring optimal performance, energy efficiency, and comfort.

Your blog post begins by emphasizing the importance of seasonal tune-ups for homes, highlighting how they can help prevent potential issues, improve energy efficiency, and extend the lifespan of various systems and components. By promoting proactive maintenance, you encourage homeowners to take a proactive approach in caring for their homes.

I found your suggestions for a seasonal tune-up to be comprehensive and well-organized. From inspecting and cleaning HVAC systems to checking windows and doors for air leaks, you cover a wide range of areas that homeowners should address during their tune-up. Your emphasis on safety measures, such as testing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, is particularly important to ensure a safe living environment.

Additionally, your tips on checking and maintaining outdoor spaces, including gutters, downspouts, and landscaping, are valuable. These often-overlooked areas can have a significant impact on the overall maintenance and performance of a home, especially during seasonal changes. By highlighting their importance, you encourage readers to pay attention to the exterior as well as the interior of their homes.

I appreciate that you provide practical guidance on how to perform the suggested tune-up tasks, offering step-by-step instructions and highlighting the benefits of each action. This empowers homeowners to take action and gives them the confidence to tackle these tasks themselves or seek professional assistance when needed.

In conclusion, your blog post on giving homes a seasonal tune-up provides homeowners with valuable information and guidance. By highlighting the importance of proactive maintenance, offering comprehensive suggestions for tune-up tasks, and emphasizing the benefits of each action, you equip readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to keep their homes in optimal condition throughout the year.

Thank you for sharing your expertise and providing practical advice to homeowners in your community.

Jacoby Johnson link

6/5/2023 08:20:19 pm

I recently read your blog post on the Boise Chamber website about giving homes a seasonal tune-up, and I want to express my appreciation for the helpful tips and reminders you shared.

Your article serves as a valuable resource for homeowners, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance and seasonal tune-ups to keep homes in optimal condition throughout the year. By providing practical suggestions and guidelines, you empower readers to take proactive steps in caring for their homes.

I particularly found your advice on inspecting the roof and gutters, checking the HVAC system, and maintaining the landscaping to be highly valuable. These areas often require attention as the seasons change, and your reminders encourage homeowners to address potential issues before they escalate.

Your emphasis on energy efficiency is commendable. By suggesting measures such as sealing air leaks, upgrading insulation, and considering smart thermostats, you promote energy-conscious practices that not only benefit the environment but also help homeowners save on utility bills.

Furthermore, your recommendation to review home safety measures, such as testing smoke detectors, checking fire extinguishers, and inspecting electrical systems, is essential. These precautions contribute to creating a safe living environment for homeowners and their families.

I appreciate that you included tips for maintaining outdoor spaces, such as cleaning and organizing outdoor furniture, inspecting and repairing fences, and preparing gardens and lawns for the changing seasons. These reminders help homeowners extend the lifespan of their outdoor amenities and create welcoming and enjoyable outdoor spaces.

Lastly, your encouragement to involve professionals for specific tasks that require expertise, such as HVAC maintenance and chimney cleaning, is both practical and responsible. Seeking professional help ensures that these critical areas receive thorough attention and professional care.

Thank you for sharing your insights and suggestions for giving homes a seasonal tune-up. Your article serves as a valuable guide, reminding homeowners of the important maintenance tasks to consider and empowering them to maintain their homes in top condition throughout the year.

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Give Your Home a Seasonal Tune-up!

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