Are You Unknowingly Putting Your Home at Risk For Disaster?

Putting Your Home at Risk For Disaster? Nobody wants to consider natural disasters striking as they hunt for their dream home. But at a time when flood and environmental risk is rising with no sign of slowing down, taking a property’s vulnerability into account before investing is a crucial consideration.

Environmental risk comes in many forms, from flooding to earthquakes. Each disaster is measured and covered by insurance agencies differently. It will take research to determine the type of risk associated with your property and how to best minimize them.

SGB as experts in insurance, flooding, and property risk to understand how to best protect your home from natural disaster.

Are you Unknowingly Putting Your Home at Risk For Disaster?

Are You Unknowingly Putting Your Home at Risk For Disaster?

Everyone has things that need to be fixed in their home, it’s an endless cycle to keep things in tip-top shape. However, some small problems can turn into a way bigger problems if they aren’t taken care of in time. It is time to take a closer look at your home and take care of those small problems before they turn into a major headache to deal with. Here are is a list of tips from Metlife Insurance, that you should be aware of.

Prevent Small Home Problems From Big Problems

Electrical system
Improper wiring is often a cause of home fires. Older homes are especially prone to electrical problems.

Signs of a problem:

• Blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers suggest your electrical system isn’t handling your power needs.
• Outlets that are hot to the touch are hazardous. Aluminum wiring, used by builders in the 1960s, could be the culprit.
• No “reset” or “test” buttons on outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, and garages could indicate the outlet isn’t protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), a safety device that guards against electrocution.
• Frequent use of extension cords signals you need additional outlets installed.

Roof
Water penetration is the biggest concern with roofs.

Signs of a problem:

• Missing, curling or cracked shingles, or mineral granule deposits in gutters are signs that the roofing is worn and water may be getting into your house.
• Moisture around or water dripping from the ceiling near a skylight could indicate improperly installed flashing.
• A moldy, mildewy leave space tells you that water has penetrated your roof.
• Icicles hanging from the roof edge or gutters indicate ice dams, which form when the snow melts and refreezes and then forces water to back up under the shingles. 

Drainage
Improper drainage causes water-damaged foundations, roofs and more.

Signs of a problem:

• Landscaping that slopes toward the house lets water collect. Re-grade the dirt so water drains away from the foundation.
• Loose, leaky or clogged gutters can back water up at the roofline. Perform regular inspections to see that gutters are clear and working properly.
• Short downspouts don’t properly drain water away from the house. Extend downspouts (and sump pump discharge pipes) well away from the house to prevent water from soaking into the ground near the foundation.

Plumbing
Drippy faucets and overflowing toilets are obvious signs of plumbing problems—call a professional if you suspect your home may have a bigger issue. 

Signs of a problem:

• Noisy pipes and loud clanks indicate too much water pressure and/or pipes that are too small. Either problem can cause pipes to leak or to rupture.
• Leaks around toilet base tell you the wax ring that seals the base has been broken. Undetected leaks can cause the floor to rot.
• Rusty pipes, along with water stains below the pipes, is a sign that water has been or is leaking from the pipe.

Home Furnace and air conditioner
A typical furnace is put to use year-round—central air conditioners also use the furnace’s blower—so get the unit inspected annually.

Signs of a problem:

• Cracks and corrosion indicate damage or deterioration and may require a closer inspection by an expert.
• The gas odor could indicate a leak in a gas furnace or other gas appliance. Leave the house immediately and contact a professional to investigate.

Insulation and ventilation
Good insulation prevents heat loss, and proper ventilation directs moisture, odors, and fumes outdoors.

Signs of a problem:

• Stuffy air or trapped odors indicate improper ventilation. Venting should lead outdoors, not to the attic or another room of the home.
• The snow that melts quickly on the roof tells you heat is escaping and the attic is under-insulated.
• A soot-coated fireplace may be creosote buildup—a sign of improper ventilation.
• Unexplained health problems could be caused by poor ventilation. Mold and dust can trigger breathing problems, including asthma. Flu-like symptoms can be a sign of high levels of carbon monoxide.

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A Note From SGB Insurance

We hope you found these tips from Metlife Insurance helpful. Often times it’s easy to push those small household problems aside and save them for another day. Take care of those problems now to avoid, a bigger problem and homeowners claim. Visit SGB Insurance today, to get a free homeowners quote to protect your home.