Kyle Campbell Agency

As summer comes to an end, it’s the perfect time for homeowners to inspect their property and complete important end-of-summer home maintenance before fall and winter weather arrive. Regular home maintenance can help prevent costly repairs, protect your home from severe weather and help you get the most out of your homeowners insurance coverage.

In Michigan, homeowners can experience heavy rain, strong winds, hail, snow, ice and freezing temperatures throughout the year. Preparing your home before the weather changes can help reduce the risk of water damage, roof damage, frozen pipes, ice dams and other costly home repairs.

Why End-of-Summer Home Maintenance Matters

Small maintenance issues can quickly become bigger problems when temperatures drop. A loose roof shingle, clogged gutter or small plumbing leak may not seem urgent during the summer, but fall storms and freezing temperatures can make these problems worse.

Farmers Insurance recommends taking proactive steps to protect your property from weather-related risks, including inspecting your roof, clearing gutters and downspouts, addressing potential water issues and reviewing your insurance coverage before severe weather arrives.

Think of the end of summer as your home’s annual checkup before the colder months begin.

End-of-Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

1. Inspect Your Roof

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home when it comes to protecting against rain, snow, wind and ice.

Look for:

• Missing, cracked or damaged shingles
• Damaged flashing around vents and chimneys
• Signs of leaks or water stains
• Areas where shingles appear loose or worn
• Moss, debris or other buildup

Farmers notes that homeowners should regularly inspect their roofs and be aware of their roof’s age and condition. Roof damage caused by a sudden covered event, such as wind or hail, may be covered by homeowners insurance, while damage caused by aging, wear and tear or poor maintenance generally is not.

If you’re unsure about the condition of your roof, consider having a qualified roofing professional inspect it before winter.

2. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

Gutter maintenance is one of the simplest ways to help protect your home from water damage.

Remove leaves, dirt and other debris from your gutters and make sure downspouts are directing water away from your home’s foundation. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow, potentially damaging your roof, siding, foundation and interior walls.

Keeping gutters clear can also help reduce the risk of ice dams when temperatures begin to fall.

3. Check for Water Leaks

Before cold weather arrives, inspect areas around your home where water damage can occur.

Check:

• Under sinks
• Around toilets
• Near water heaters
• Around windows and doors
• In the basement
• Around washing machines and appliances
• Ceilings and walls for water stains

Addressing a small leak early can help prevent more significant water damage later.

Farmers recommends regular maintenance checks for plumbing systems because preventative maintenance may help homeowners avoid expensive repairs.

4. Prepare Your Plumbing for Freezing Temperatures

Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and potentially burst. Before winter, inspect exposed pipes and make sure vulnerable areas are properly insulated.

You should also know where your home’s main water shutoff valve is located. If a pipe does freeze or burst, knowing how to quickly shut off the water can help limit the amount of damage.

5. Inspect Your Chimney and Fireplace

If you plan to use your fireplace during the fall and winter, have it inspected and cleaned as needed. Remove debris and make sure the chimney is properly maintained.

A professional inspection can help identify buildup, cracks or other issues before you start using the fireplace regularly.

6. Check Your Heating System

Your furnace or heating system will work hard once temperatures drop. Schedule routine maintenance before the first cold snap and replace your HVAC filters as recommended.

Farmers explains that homeowners insurance may cover HVAC damage caused by certain sudden, covered events, but normal wear and tear, age and lack of maintenance generally aren’t covered.

Routine maintenance can help keep your heating system operating efficiently and identify problems before they become emergency repairs.

7. Trim Trees and Remove Dead Branches

Take a look at the trees surrounding your home and remove dead or damaged branches when appropriate.

Strong winds, heavy snow and ice can cause branches to fall and damage roofs, vehicles, fences and other structures.

Keeping trees and landscaping properly maintained is another simple way to reduce potential property damage before severe weather arrives.

Don’t Forget to Review Your Homeowners Insurance

Home maintenance and homeowners insurance work together, but they aren’t the same thing.

Insurance is designed to help protect you from unexpected, covered losses. For example, Farmers explains that homeowners insurance can typically help cover damage from covered events such as fire, windstorm, lightning and hail, depending on the policy. Homeowners policies may also provide coverage for personal property, other structures, additional living expenses and personal liability.

However, homeowners insurance generally isn’t designed to pay for normal wear and tear or damage resulting from neglected maintenance.

That’s why it’s important to both maintain your home and review your insurance coverage regularly.

A Few Insurance Questions to Ask Before Winter

Consider talking with your insurance agent about:

• Is my dwelling coverage still adequate to rebuild my home?
• Do I have enough personal property coverage?
• What is my current homeowners insurance deductible?
• Do I have coverage for water backup or sump overflow?
• Are there exclusions or limitations I should know about?
• Do I need additional coverage for specific risks?
• Am I taking advantage of available home insurance discounts?
• Has anything about my home changed since my policy was last reviewed?

Our agency offers several coverage options for Michigan homeowners, including options such as Guaranteed Replacement Cost, Water Backup and Sump Overflow, Emergency Mortgage Assistance, Declining Deductibles and Claim Forgiveness, depending on eligibility and policy selection.

Michigan Homeowners: Prepare Now, Not After the First Snow

For Michigan homeowners, preparing your home before the weather changes can make a significant difference. Taking care of your roof, gutters, plumbing, heating system and exterior now may help prevent avoidable problems during the colder months.

Just as importantly, take a few minutes to review your Michigan homeowners insurance coverage. Your home, belongings and financial protection can change over time, and your insurance policy should reflect your current needs.

Farmers recommends regularly reviewing your coverage, understanding your deductibles and discussing available coverage options with your insurance agent.

Protect Your Home Before Winter Arrives

A little preparation now can potentially save you time, stress and money later. Make your fall home maintenance checklist, address small repairs, inspect your property and review your homeowners insurance before severe weather arrives.

If you have questions about your home insurance coverage in Michigan, the Kyle Campbell Agency is here to help. We can review your current coverage, answer your questions and help make sure your policy continues to fit your home and your needs.

Don’t wait until the first major storm to find out what your policy covers. Give your home and your homeowners insurance a checkup before winter arrives.