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Home Protection Tips for the Coming Year

It won’t be long before the new year is here. As we navigate the autumn weather and beyond, it’s important to maintain what is probably your most important investment – your house. When it comes to protecting your home, water damage should be a major concern. In fact, the average home insurance water damage claim is nearly $12,000. Over 90 percent of home basements experience some form of water damage. And nearly 15 million U.S. households are at high risk for flooding.1

What can you do to help ensure a safe, secure, and maintenance-free 2023 for the place you and your family call home? Here are a few home protection tips to help get you started. 

Maintain your windows and outside-facing doors. 

Be sure that your windows and doors are properly sealed to protect against fall and spring rain and moisture from snow. Even small leaks can result in big water damage to your home over time. A bonus of maintaining your windows and doors is that you will also keep the wind out helping you save on heating and cooling bills. 

Remove air conditioner window units. 

Don’t forget to check your window air conditioners. By their design, these units are notorious for allowing in  moisture (and wind). If possible, remove these window units during the fall and winter months to help ensure that your windows block the elements. It’s a seemingly small step that can help to protect your home from costly water damage. 

Check gutters and downspouts. 

Your gutters and downspouts have an extra heavy task during the coming months of increased rain and snowfall. Be sure these important assets to your home are in peak condition. Remove excess leaves and debris from your gutters. And check to make sure water from your downspouts stays safely away from your home. 

Seal any foundational cracks. 

Most home water damage occurs in basements. Check your home’s foundation (or have it professionally inspected) to ensure that it is water-tight. Have any cracks properly repaired and sealed. Also disconnect your outdoor water hose in the winter months and when the temperature is consistently below freezing, shut off the water to your outdoor faucet. 

Protect your home with WaterCop.

The WaterCop system utilizes an automatic shut-off valve installed on the water supply line of a home or commercial building. When sensors detect a leak, a signal is sent to the shut-off valve and water flow is quickly stopped to downstream areas reducing the chance of major flooding. Plus, the Smart Connect WiFi and mobile app interface works through the Water Cop app to provide system alerts, notifications, and remote control of your WaterCop system.

If you would like to learn more about the WaterCop system (and why it is great for your home or building throughout the year), learn more on our website or feel free to contact us at 800-545-3636. 

1 iProperty Management, 2022 Water Damage Statistics.