sbglobal2010
Rookie
While the idea of carrying out some home maintenance may seem very unappealing at this time of year, this is exactly the time you need to deal with a few basic jobs.
If your guttering becomes blocked due to leaves, or if you fail to get your chimney swept, this could result in damage to your property from an overflow of water or a chimney fire.
Should this happen, you could find you’re not covered by your home insurance, as you have a duty of care to look after your property to a reasonable degree.
Here’s our guide to getting your home ready for the harsher weather: by taking a few simple precautions now, you can save both time and money in the long-run.
Check the roof and clear the gutters
Claims due to poor or damaged roofs or guttering are unlikely to be covered by your buildings insurance policy, as they are considered general wear and tear.
For this reason, it’s crucial to check the roof and chimney for unsafe tiles and cracks, and check the gutters and drains for leaks and blockages such as leaves.
You also need to check that downpipes and supporting brackets are secure, and keep an eye on flat roof areas for any puddles that could potentially cause leaking.
“If you suffer leaks and do not take steps to get the problem rectified before the leak causes damage, you may find you are not covered,” warns Nick Dear from insurer More Than.
You also need to get your chimney swept once a year. This will reduce the risk of fire in the flue, and stop poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide from entering the home.
If your guttering becomes blocked due to leaves, or if you fail to get your chimney swept, this could result in damage to your property from an overflow of water or a chimney fire.
Should this happen, you could find you’re not covered by your home insurance, as you have a duty of care to look after your property to a reasonable degree.
Here’s our guide to getting your home ready for the harsher weather: by taking a few simple precautions now, you can save both time and money in the long-run.
Check the roof and clear the gutters
Claims due to poor or damaged roofs or guttering are unlikely to be covered by your buildings insurance policy, as they are considered general wear and tear.
For this reason, it’s crucial to check the roof and chimney for unsafe tiles and cracks, and check the gutters and drains for leaks and blockages such as leaves.
You also need to check that downpipes and supporting brackets are secure, and keep an eye on flat roof areas for any puddles that could potentially cause leaking.
“If you suffer leaks and do not take steps to get the problem rectified before the leak causes damage, you may find you are not covered,” warns Nick Dear from insurer More Than.
You also need to get your chimney swept once a year. This will reduce the risk of fire in the flue, and stop poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide from entering the home.