Phone: 204-771-0198

The Ultimate Home Checklist

May 16, 2019 /

Before heading out on vacation, consider this to be your ultimate home checklist. Thanks to Global News for the information which is summarized here:

  1. Contact your home insurance provider: Most insurance policies now have clauses that will void coverage if your property is unoccupied for any length of time. Since not all insuring companies are the same, check with your broker to make sure you are covered. Most policies will state that you must be “proactive” with respect to protecting your property.
  2. Have a responsible person check your home at least twice a week: Again, check your policy to see what exactly the requirement is.
  3. Don’t make your home look vacant: Hold newspaper delivery, have your home check representative bring in the mail and discard flyers, set indoor lights on times, change light bulbs so they don’t burn out while you are away and consider outside motion detectors.
  4. Adjust your thermostat: Set the temperature to save some money based on the season.
  5. Unplug all non essential appliances: This will protect your appliances from power surges and provide energy savings.
  6. Leave a car in the driveway: If you normally have a car in the driveway, arrange to have one in the driveway. If you can’t use one of yours, have a neighbour or family member park in your driveway while your’re gone.
  7. Snow clearing and lawn maintenance: Nothing looks more inviting than snow piled on the walkway and driveway when all the neighbours have cleared their’s. Likewise during summer months, make sure you have someone cut the lawn regularly
  8. Place valuables in a safety deposit box: Jewelry and important documents and items of sentimental value should be in a safety deposit box. Insurance may replace your contents but some items are irreplaceable.

RECENT POSTS

Flooded Basement during the Winter. The Horror.

Here's a scene you would never want to experience.  In this case the homeowner couldn't even pump out the water because the furnace was flooded and inoperable. High efficiency furnaces have a sensor on the outside exhaust pipe that will shut down the furnace if the...

Keep your home safe the SMART way

While you're away, do you sometimes suffer the nagging feeling that something isn't quite right back home?  New "smart" home devices can help you stay current on everything from household temperatures, sump pump activity, air quality or home deliveries. Here's a few...

How Long Does a Hot Water Heater Last?

Two appliances that are the most common problem for homeowners who are away for an extended period of time are the furnace and the hot water tank.  They both seem to cause problems during the most inconvenient time.  Let's deal with the hot water tank first. It's good...

Testimonials are Satisfying

I never ask for testimonials, but when they are recieved unsolicited, it certainly is satisfying.  We  try to treat our client's homes like it was our own.  The trust people put into our hands is acknowledged and we want to ensure their time away from home is...

Furnace Issues in Extreme Cold

Most homeowners have upgraded their furnaces to high efficiency models.  These typically come with an exhaust exit pipe at the side of the house. During winter with an abundance of snow and very cold temperatures, this exhaust pipe can be buried in snow or severly...

Pin It on Pinterest