Home maintenance: DIY to protect your home

That’s because insurance is meant as a safety net for unforeseen events; it’s not meant to cover general wear and tear. If your home isn’t in a good state and should something unforeseen happen; it could complicate the claims process.

Here are some pointers on what you can do to help keep your home in tip-top condition.

Maintaining roofs and gutters

If your roof or gutters aren’t in good condition, you run the risk that claims relating to them won’t be covered. You can help keep them in order by doing the following:

• Removing any loose debris such as branches and leaves that can build up over time (make sure you do this on a sunny day when the roof is dry to reduce the risk of slipping).
• Carrying out an inspection on the roof for any missing, loose or cracked tiles as well as any missing or loose nails or metal roof bolts.
• Head inside to the attic and check for any stains – this could be a sign of water seepage into your home. The same goes for any stains on the ceiling that could seep through from the attic.
• Remove any moss or mould that has appeared on the roof. You can do this by spraying a roof moss remover onto affected areas.
• Clear out any leaves and other debris from gutters and down pipes

Looking after walls and windows

If water can find a way to get in, it more than likely will, so carry out an inspection of every exterior aspect of your home:

• Look for cracks and leaks around windows and doors (seal as required).
• Check foundations, joints and walls for cracks and leaks (seal as required).
• Inspect all plumbing and look for leaks such as dripping pipes and taps. Get them seen to as required.

On the ground surrounding your home

Check for puddles or any water that has pooled around your home that doesn’t drain in a hurry (such as puddles on patios that take an age to disappear). If this is happening at your place, it could be because of blocked drains, so get a licensed professional in to inspect it.

More on water damage

Water damage can happen both inside and outside your home and is one of the most common causes of insurance claims. However, as with other claims, you won’t be covered if your property or belongings weren’t in good shape to begin with. Check out our article on what you can do to prevent water damage.