Fall Maintenance Tips for Your Home and Car
thinksem-dev • November 6, 2013
You can never completely prevent weather and seasonal elements from causing damage to your home or vehicle. But routine maintenance in every season will go a long way toward helping you avoid big, costly problems—and having to file a homeowners or auto insurance claim.
As colder weather approaches, now is a good time to perform a few simple, routine home maintenance activities. In addition, it is a good time to get your car ready for the demanding winter driving season ahead.
Fall Home Maintenance Tips
- Windows and doors : Check window and door frames for cracks or feel for cool air coming in. Seal leaks or cracks with caulk, weather stripping or door sweeps. If necessary purchase a plastic sheeting kit and place plastic around the windows to keep heat from escaping. Consider installing newer windows or doors if yours are aged or in bad shape.
- Heating system : Install a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one. Inspect heating ducts and vents, and clear away anything that may have gotten into them over the summer months. Have a professional tune your furnace in order to reduce temperature variations, improve air quality and protect against dangerous carbon monoxide levels. Change the air filter in your furnace every month during winter.
- Gutters : Inspect and clean your gutters several times during fall and before winter sets in, especially if you have a lot of trees in your yard. Direct gutters and downspouts away from the foundation and away from walkways and driveways to avoid icing that could cause slips and falls.
- Roof : check for signs of sagging or shingles that have curled. Replace any damaged or missing shingles.
Fall Car Maintenance Tips
- Wiper blades : Replace your wiper blades at least once per year, in the fall. You generally use your wipers more in fall and winter, and road dirt and wiper fluid will take a greater toll on them.
- Spare tire : Be sure that your spare tire is properly inflated to the inflation pressure listed on the side of the tire. According to the AAA, tire pressure drops one pound per square inch for every 10-degree drop in temperature, so check your tires weekly in colder weather.
- Fluids : Washer fluid needs to be replaced with a cold-weather formula. In addition, check your antifreeze and brake fluid levels to be sure that they are adequate. Top them off if necessary.
- Air filter : Engine air filters should be replaced at least two times per year. Dirty air filters decrease engine performance and emissions quality.
- Battery terminals and lights : Clean battery connections if you notice corrosion. Electrical issues and ignition problems can be caused by loose or corroded battery connections. Also, regular car maintenance includes making sure that all vehicle lights are working. Replace bulbs if necessary.
What other activities do you do to get your home and car ready for fall? Have you done your fall preparation yet?
There are many ways to make sure you are providing a safe work environment for your employees, and the techniques you use likely depend upon the type of business you are in. But there are some basic tips that every business owner can use to help create a safe workplace and avoid costly workers’ compensation […]
Recent changes to health insurance laws and regulations have promised to make it easier on those who need to find their own, private plans. While many wait for those promises to come true, the process can still be extremely frustrating. There are some important factors to consider while choosing a private health insurance plan in […]
Hosting family or friends for Thanksgiving can be stressful. It’s important to take your time in preparing your home and delicious holiday traditions so you are sure to follow proper safety guidelines and reduce the risk of injury or illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, clostridium perfringens is the second most […]
No two businesses are exactly alike. Contractors include a wide variety of businesses across a wide spectrum of industries. That’s why a one-size-fits-all insurance policy may not be best for your company. Contractors can include construction firms, carpenters, plumbers, cleaners, electricians, landscapers, painters, handymen, snow plowing operations, land surveyors, computer consultants and many more. A […]
Many individuals and families receive benefits from their employers that include health insurance, and in some cases even some basic life insurance. But many others work for small employers that cannot afford to offer these valuable benefits, and are on their own when it comes to protecting their finances from the devastation that can arise […]
Unless you have a crystal ball, and in that case business is booming, the uncertainties of small business management can create a lot of stress. General liability insurance can help alleviate that fear of the unknown by protecting your company’s assets and revenues when the unforeseen occurs. As well trained and reliable as your employees […]
Surety bonds are just one of the many ways you can protect your business. McInnis Insurance Agency offers fast-turnaround surety bonds as well as other types of business insurance for Louisiana contractors. And because every situation and contractor is unique, we can find the solutions that are best suited to your business. Surety bonds in […]
Nearly all employers in Louisiana must carry some form of workers compensation insurance. As a business owner, this form of insurance not only protects your staff from wage losses and other damages resulting from an on-the-job injury or death, it also protects you and your commercial assets from litigation resulting from the incident. There are […]
Whether your business is in trucking, construction, transportation services or delivery, commercial vehicle insurance is an imperative tool that protects your equipment, drivers and future in the industry. A commercial vehicle is considered any truck or vehicle that is used by an individual in the course of their business dealings and/or in the course of […]
Nearly 15 million Americans work a permanent night shift or regularly rotate in and out of night shifts, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That means a significant sector of the nation’s work force is exposed to the hazards of working nights, which include restlessness, sleepiness on the job, fatigue and decreased attention. This […]
