Your Home Is Thinking Spring … Are You?

Allstate Has Five Ideas For Spring Cleaning

COLUMBIA, SC – May 2, 2009 – Did you know the air conditioner outside your home could cause water damage inside your house? Allstate policyholders file insurance claims for damage to their homes daily, including claims caused by daily problems like broken water pipes, cracked washing machine hoses, and leaky roofs. These claims show that it doesn’t take a fire or disaster to hurt your home. 

“Winter weather can be extremely hard on a house. Spring-cleaning is an excellent opportunity to identify and correct minor, seasonal problems that could end up causing more significant damage, frustration, and possibly an insurance claim down the road,” said Allstate Agent Eva Turner.

Five easy ideas for spring-cleaning …

• Check roofs and windows: Visually inspect roof valleys, chimneys, skylights, and vent flashings. Temperature changes from the hot summer to the cold winter can cause expansion and contraction, which may lead to cracking in some roof cement and window caulking materials, creating potentially damaging water leaks. All exterior caulking maintenance should also be performed during spring-cleaning.
• Walk your yard: Check the grading of your property to ensure it drains away from your home’s foundation. Wet weather can cause soil to settle in plant and flowerbed areas, which are usually adjacent to your home’s foundation wall. This can cause water to build up next to the foundation and possibly get into your home. If needed, re-fill or re-grade depressed areas. Basement window wells should also be cleaned and covers considered — avoiding rainwater build-up and unnecessary leakage in these areas.
• Inspect gutters:  Gutters should be inspected for debris and proper mounting. The expansion and weight of ice and snow from winter storms can loosen gutters from their mounting points causing a change in pitch and water flow. Also, make sure downspouts are extended far enough to carry water away from the foundation wall of your house. 
• Condition your air conditioner:  Check the drainage pan and lines. The drainage pan and drain line should be free of dust and debris that may accumulate over the winter. An obstructed pan and line could lead to an overflow and water damage.
• Test pumps: If you have a sump-pump, test it to make sure it is working properly. Test the motor, float switch, and check valve to see if they are working properly and water is draining from the chamber.  A back-up pump, or system, may be a consideration if you live in an area prone to groundwater problems.

Some work, particularly on roofs, may require professional services. Some homeowners may not be comfortable inspecting or working on their roof or on ladders. If so, check references with your local better business bureau, homebuilders association, or contractors association to help ensure you’re hiring a qualified, reputable repair professional to work on your home.

For more information on safety topics, please contact Allstate Agent Eva Turner at 803-865-6601, or via email at [email protected].

The Allstate Corporation

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers. Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products and services at www.myallstatefinancial.com.