Spring Cleaning to Prevent Filing Claims

Spring is here, and with all this extra time at home, it is the perfect opportunity to do a round of spring cleaning. While it may not be your favorite activity, there are plenty of benefits. In fact, these spring-cleaning tips and tricks can even help prevent expensive home insurance claims.

Check Kitchen & Bathroom Caulk

While you are scrubbing the tub and deodorizing your garbage disposal, take some time to investigate the kitchen and bathroom caulk in your home. Caulk can deteriorate over time and cracks in your caulk can quickly lead to leaks. By re-caulking when necessary, you can prevent costly water damage claims. Need some direction? Here’s how to re-caulk a bathtub.

Clean Out Dryer Vent Ducts

Even if you are vigilant about cleaning the lint from your dryer lint trap, lint could still be infiltrating your vent duct. Not only does lint buildup make your dryer less effective, but it can lead to serious house fires. Avoid fire claims and keep your family safe by cleaning out your dryer ducts at least once a year. Not sure how? Here’s how to clean your dryer vent ducts.

Change Smoke Detector Batteries

A properly functioning smoke detector is essential for protecting you and your family in the event of a house fire. One of our favorite spring-cleaning tips and tricks is using this annual event as a reminder to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Remember to carefully check and test your detectors after installing the new battery to make sure that it is functioning properly. Proper care and attention for these vital tools could save your life.

Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts

Spring cleaning is not just for inside. In fact, if you want to protect yourself from costly home insurance claims, you will need to do some upkeep on the exterior of your home. By adding “cleaning the gutters” to your spring-cleaning checklist, you could be preventing potential home insurance claims related to foundation damage, rotted wood, roof leaks, water spots, basement leaks, insect infestation, and more.

Check Driveways and Sidewalks

Accidents happen, but regular upkeep to your driveway and sidewalks could prevent slip and fall accidents. While you are doing your spring cleaning, be sure to check broken, uneven, or cracked surfaces on your driveway. If you find these problems, you will want to repair them right away to prevent anyone from getting hurt. In the meantime, one of our favorite spring cleaning tips is to make sure you are clearing the weeds from between the cracks in your sidewalk and driveway, as they can lead to other damage, including driveway cracks, which will then need to be repaired.

Do not leave your life up to chance! At DPS Insurance, we care about our customers, and in addition to offering the highest-quality insurance coverage, we try to provide you with information that can prevent you from having to file insurance claims. We hope you find these tips useful!