At the end of the holiday season, taking down light displays and outdoor decorations is simply not as fun as putting them up. As you lug out the ladder to take down your exterior decorations, we suggest taking the opportunity to do some important home maintenance.
First and foremost, make sure to practice ladder safety to prevent accidents from happening. Your ladder should be on an even surface, and someone should be holding it for you. Always keep both feet on the ladder and don't step on the top rung unless it was designed for that purpose.
Now since you're on your ladder safely, here's three things to do in addition to taking down your holiday decoration.
1. Clean gutters
Scoop out any buildup with gloved hands or a small shovel (they make special tools for this purpose, but a kid's sand shovel should work fine). You may want to place a tarp underneath the work area to catch the debris you scoop out. Once you remove all the built-up debris, give the gutters a rinse with a hose and flush out anything left behind.
2. Trim Trees
While you're up on the ladder look around to see if any there's any trees or vines encroaching or touching your house. If so, take this opportunity to trim your tree. Use a pair of loppers to cut off vines and small branches. For bigger branches you may need to hire a professional.
3. Check roof for damage
Depending on what type of roof you have damage could show up in several surprising ways. If you have an asphalt-shingled roof look for loose, broken, or cracked shingles along with any bubbling. For a tile roof, look for chipped tiles or any separation between tiles. A metal roof is easiest to spot damage on, look out for dents or signs of rusting. It's important to keep in mind the age of your roof as each material has an expected lifespan.
Should you spot signs of wear and tear damage while on the ladder surveying your roof, make repairs as soon as possible.
It is important to note like tires on a car, wear and tear damage is not covered in your homeowner's policy and is considered homeowners maintenance. When hiring a roofer to make repairs, make certain they are licensed and insured and obtain references from their prior clients. Additionally, never pay a contract/roofer in-full until they have completed the work and any job inspections have been passed by the county.
Keeping your family and home safe and protected is Edison Home Insurance Company's number one priority. Ask your agent how they can help make sure you have the proper coverage or call us at 866-568-8922.
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