Page 9 - Explore Your AAA – AAA Southern Pennsylvania – Spring 2022

EXPLORE | AT HOME SPRING EDITION 2022
Spring Cleaning for a Safer Home
Winter can be tough on your home. There’s no better time than spring to spruce things up – and make it a safer place in the process. Small repairs now can save you time and money down the road, as well as help you avoid unnecessary headaches.
Here’s a checklist to help you during your cleaning spree:
Inspect your roof. Look for
damaged shingles or tiles, and
have them replaced. Don’t miss
the base of the chimney. Repair any cracks to prevent water damage from leaks.
Trim your trees. Prune tree limbs regularly to keep them away from your home, decks and outbuildings in case strong winds or precipitation cause them to break. If a tree is too close to your home, consider having it removed.
Clean out your gutters. Remove leaves, sticks and other debris so spring showers can flow freely. Make sure gutters are secure and downspouts drain away from your foundation. If possible, extend the bottom of the downspout away from your home by at least six feet.
Test wood for water damage. Make sure wood on your home is not soft when you press it. It isn’t just exposed wood that is at risk. Even vinyl- or aluminum-sided homes have wooden framing and trim. Repair or replace soft wood as needed.
Check for appliance leaks. Look for signs of leakage around your washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, water heater and other appliances that use water. Consider installing water sensors near appliances and in areas that could leak or flood. They can alert you, through an alarm or mobile app, when water touches them. Even small leaks can lead to major damage.
Clean your dryer vent. Nearly 3,000 home dryer fires happen every year according to the U.S. Fire Administration,
CSAA Insurance Group
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causing $35 million in property loss annually. Cleaning dryer vents could prevent about a third of those fires. Make sure to clean your lint trap after every use.
EQUIPMENT BREAKDOWN
Protecting your expensive household equipment.
Your home deserves first-rate protection. Modern homes depend on a wide array of sophisticated equipment for comfort, safety, and convenience. All too often, homeowners experience an unfortunate event such as a mechanical breakdown of a central air conditioning unit and are faced with costly repairs that aren’t covered under their policies. Equipment Breakdown Coverage is an additional option for homeowners that provides this important protection.
Equipment Breakdown Coverage covers a wide array of equipment, including:
• Air-conditioning and heating equipment
• Attic fans
• Central vacuum systems
• Computer equipment
• Electric door and locks
• Emergency generators
• Entertainment equipment
• Fiber optics
• Home gym equipment
• Hot tub and sauna equipment
• Kitchen appliances • Pool filter pumps
• Residential yard
maintenance equipment
• Security systems
• Smart home technologies • Solar panels
• Washers and dryers
• Water heaters and boilers • Wine cellar climate control
Have you done your annual insurance checkup? It’s a good idea to thoroughly review your insurance policies annually. Consider a variety of factors, from the ages of your vehicles to any upgrades you’re planning on making to your home, when determining what sorts of changes you might need to make to your insurance coverage. To find out more or to make updates to your home or auto policy, contact your AAA Insurance Agent today at 1-800-222-1469, go to AAA.com/Insurance, or stop by your local AAA office.
Discounts vary based upon eligibility. Discounts may not be cumulative. Coverage varies by state and depends upon policy provisions. Insurance provided by CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer. ©2022 CSAA Insurance Group
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