Floods are one of the most common natural disasters and can occur nearly anywhere in the world. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, a mere inch of water in your home can cause more than $25,000 worth of structural and property damage. That’s why it pays to make your home flood-resistant, whether you live in a floodplain or not.… Continue reading

Broken pipes are most notorious in the winter. When cold temperatures freeze your water supply line, pressure builds up inside and causes the pipe to burst. But frozen pipes aren’t your only concern. Here are six surprising reasons pipes can break in the summer and what to do if this happens to you. Why Do Pipes Break in the Summer?… Continue reading

It’s easy to neglect your rain gutters, but gutter cleaning is essential for proper water drainage. Here’s everything you need to know about completing this home maintenance task. Why Clean the Gutters? Rain gutters are notorious for becoming clogged with leaves, pine needles, animal nests, roof shingle debris, and more. When this happens, rainwater overflows the gutters and runs down… Continue reading

Got vacation plans? Some of you may be planning that final summer vacation before the kids head back to school. But, before you leave on your next trip, follow this pre-vacation home maintenance checklist to protect your house from intruders and potential disasters while you’re away. Ask a friend or neighbor to housesit: Have them water your plants, feed your… Continue reading

As a responsible homeowner, you know how important it is to keep up with seasonal home maintenance. Take advantage of the warmer days and spruce up the outside of your house this summer. Not sure where to begin? Simply follow this home maintenance checklist. Pressure wash the exterior: If your driveway, sidewalks, patio, deck and siding look dingy and grimy,… Continue reading

The exterior features of your home, including your deck and siding, are exposed to harsh elements all year round. Untreated wood is bound to rot in wet weather, bleach and crack under the intense summer sun, and freeze over in the winter. Repainting your house or staining your deck in the summer is important to protect these structures from extreme… Continue reading

Your home’s water pressure is important. If it’s too low, your dishwasher and washing machine will struggle to do a good job. Showers are also miserable when there’s hardly enough water to lather up. Of course, high water pressure is also problematic. The additional strain on your plumbing system can lead to worn-out joints, burst pipes, and significant water damage.… Continue reading

Wildfires have become increasingly common across North America in recent years. This is especially true in the West where ongoing droughts have left parched soil and dead plants in their wake—in other words, fuel for forest fires. By understanding how wildfires start, we can all do our part to prevent them this summer. What Does Fire Need to Burn? Fire… Continue reading

Severe weather comes in different forms depending on the time of year. Summer is an especially notorious time for weather-related disasters, with billions of dollars in property damage occurring every year across North America. Can you guess the top five most common summer weather hazards? Here’s a look at each one. Hurricanes Hurricanes are one of nature’s most destructive forces.… Continue reading

It’s never too early to start preparing for hurricane season, which begins June 1. Your first step should be to learn the different hurricane categories, measured by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, and the potential damages each one can cause. Hurricanes are classified by their maximum sustained wind speed. Every hurricane starts as a tropical depression, which moves at less… Continue reading