Prep Your House for Spring

Spring cleaning can show where repairs are needed. Doing these now can prevent costly damages later. Here’s how to get started.

1. Clean out your dryer vent.

If your clothes seem to be taking longer to dry or your dryer feels very hot while working, it may be time to clean out the dryer vent. A clogged dryer vent may be a fire hazard and could cause s future disaster fire and a future home insurance claim. To help your vent from becoming an “event”, clean the lint trap after each use and have a professional clean the exterior vent access once every spring.

2. Test your smoke detectors.

In addition to changing the batteries each spring, it’s important to make sure your smoke detectors still work, as they have a shelf life. Be sure to test your detectors on each floor.

3. Let your caulking do the talking.

When you scrub the caulking around your bathtub and kitchen sink, check for cracks so that water doesn’t get in behind the walls. Check for peeling or missing sections of caulking around windows and doors too. Cracks in caulking can lead to leaks and mildew, so it’s best to inspect and re-caulk anything you find, before it becomes a bigger issue.

4. Check gutters and downspouts.

Clear leaves out of your gutters and make sure that downspouts are still pointing away from your home. Winter weather can cause these to shift and/or swell, causing water to flow towards your home instead of away from it. The last thing you want is for all that water to start draining inside your home. Another way to avoid potential water damage is to test your sump pump—if you have one— to ensure that it’s in good working order too.

5. Inspect the foundation around your home.

Spring thaws tend to be accompanied by a lot of water-claims. While you’re tidying up your bushes, lawn and flower beds, check for any visible cracks in your foundation. Also ensure that the ground is graded so that water runs away from your home and not towards it. A little upfront work now can help you prevent a home insurance flood claim in the future.

6. Review your home insurance policy.

Take the time to review your home insurance policy and let your insurance company or broker know of any changes such as large renovations, big ticket purchases or new jewellery or artwork in your home. CAA Insurance¹ can help you find the right coverage as well as great ways to save on home insurance—including bundling your home and auto insurance and savings for being a CAA Member.

Get spring ready and call 1-833-673-3030 or visit carp.ca/CAA-home to learn more.

CAA¹ is CARP’s Recommended provider for Auto, Home, Travel, Life and Pet Insurance. To learn more about our offerings and special perks available for CARP Members, visit carp.ca/CAA or call 1-833-673-3030.

_{¹Property Insurance is underwritten by CAA Insurance Company (except in Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec). Insurance is sold through B.C.A.A. Holdings Ltd. dba BCAA Insurance Agency, a licensed insurance agency, and underwritten by various underwriters. Visit bcaa.com/underwriters for more information. In Alberta, property insurance is sold by AMA Insurance. Property insurance sold by AMA Insurance is largely underwritten by Alberta Motor Association Insurance Company (some exceptions apply).}

_{Visit carp.ca/CAA to see a list of underwriters covering various CAA insurance products.}

_{CAA trademarks are owned by, and use is authorized by, the Canadian Automobile Association. Certain conditions, limitations and underwriting guidelines apply.}

_{The ^®AMA and the AMA logo are trademarks owned by the Alberta Motor Association.}