Spring cleaning and home maintenance could reduce risk of financial losses for homeowners

With the weather slowly warming up, many South Africans are using the good weather to do spring cleaning and Do-It-Yourself projects around the home. During this time, it is essential that homeowners understand the importance of regular checks and comprehensive maintenance in order to minimise any future damage, as well as mitigate the risk of having an insurance claim rejected.

This is according to Nazeer Hoosen, Executive Director: PPS Short-Term Insurance, who says that one of the easiest ways for consumers to avoid claim repudiations due to damage in the home is to perform regular maintenance checks. “While household insurance pays for sudden and unexpected events that result in damage or loss in the home – it does not pay for this as a result of gradual deterioration or lack of maintenance.”

Hoosen points to the below basic areas of the home to which homeowners should pay extra attention to and conduct regular maintenance checks to avoid financial losses:

The roof

Homeowners should regularly check the roof for missing, worn or broken roofing materials that could allow water to infiltrate and weaken the roof’s structure. “Look around for any water spots, standing water or mould. Watch out for pooling of water, especially on a flat roof, because if this issue is not corrected it can lead to problems at claim stage,” he says.

“On flat roofs, homeowners need to check the asbestos lining on a regular basis as well as the sealing on the screws. Dampness on ceilings or walls can be a sign of a leak in the roof,” says Hoosen.

The gutters

It is essential to ensure all gutters are regularly cleaned, as a build-up of leaves or other debris can cause water puddles on the roof, resulting in both rotting and leaks, says Hoosen. “This is especially the case following hard rainfalls.”

He says clean gutters will also ensure that water effectively drains away from the house. “It is advisable for the homeowner to walk around the property and check that nothing is likely to stop or hinder water from flowing out and away from the property.”

The plumbing

Conducting regular visual inspection of possible plumbing leaks in the kitchen, bathroom and even the laundry room, is a must for all homeowners. When taps are leaking from the spout it is probable that the washers may need to be replaced. Hoosen advises homeowners to remember to cut the water supply when working on leaking taps to avoid unnecessary water damage or flooding.

Electrical wiring

Faulty electrical wiring is one of the leading causes of fires in homes. It is therefore imperative that homeowners check that all electrical wiring is in working order and ensure that any electrical wiring problems are fixed immediately.

“When a homeowner plugs in an appliance and sees sparks, it must be unplugged immediately and taken for repairs,” says Hoosen.

Items in storage

It is also advised that homeowners clean out cluttered storage spaces to reduce the risk of fluids and chemicals leaking and causing damage to the goods in storage. Regular cleaning of the storage area will also reduce the chance of rodents and other pests making a mess and potentially damaging belongings, says Hoosen.

“Ultimately, the homeowner is responsible for keeping the house in a proper condition to reduce the risk of major complications in the long run. Proper and timely self-evaluation and home maintenance will ensure the home is in a safe state for its occupants and will lower the risk for the homeowner to face insurance claim repudiations,” concludes Hoosen.