Intro to Fall Maintenance: Winterizing Your Home
Ray Cogan
Taking some time in the Spring and Fall to maintain your home isn't just going to save you on energy costs, it can keep you from filing an insurance claim.
This time of year it's a great time to open your windows and relax with a nice fall breeze. But there is plenty to do around the house as you prepare for winter! Each Spring and Fall, we recommend that you take the time to go through a maintenance checklist of the different rooms in your house. When you do this, you can check off the points on the list that require your attention and keep yourself on task. Time to do a bit of grout work in the bathroom and around the windows? Not so bad when you have a short list and can knock it out in no time!
While you may want to knock out the outdoor list first while weather is a bit more accommodating, we hope this list saves you from a bit of stress and helps you knock out some energy costs this winter too!
Outdoor Checklist
- Check your gutters. While there are now products out on the market now that can filter solid material before it finds its way into your gutter, the fall is a very important time to make sure your gutters are in clean working order. With a backed up gutter, freezing temperatures and expanding ice could leave your gutters vulnerable to damage. It might make sense to wait until the leaves fall in your neighborhood for this one!
- Inspect your roof. Depending on the material, your roof can last anywhere from 15 to 200 years. While the most common roofing surface in the United States is asphalt shingles with a projected lifespan of 15-30 years, a severe wind or hail storm could change that forecast. You'll want to make sure your roof is in good working order before the first snowfall of the season. The weight of a snowfall may be too much for a damaged roof, and patching the roof towards the end of it's life cycle may be more trouble than replacing it. If you're having a hard time determining whether your roof is getting out of shape, you can always snap a couple photos and send them into your agent here at the agency to see what they have to say.
- Audit your trees and landscaping. Dying trees can get especially perilous during the winter months, when a heavy snowfall or a strong windstorm could send brittle branches or more through your roof or onto a passerby. Beyond just being an eye-sore, keeping dead and dying trees on your property can prove costly.
- Prepare for snow removal. The last thing you want before you head into work is to grab your ice scraper, give it a few goes on your windshield, and then having it break in half in your hand, leaving you to defrost your car for much longer you had anticipated. This same problem could come up with a flash snowstorm over the night covering your driveway and sidewalks. Avoid this by checking on your snow removal tools like shovels, ice scrapers, and snow blowers. Make sure you're stocked up on road salt or sand too, you don't want to pull into your driveway with black ice on it. Incidents of people running into their garages, perhaps unsurprisingly, increase in the winter months.
Indoor Checklist
- Make your doors and windows draft-proof. It may be easier to see (or feel) where you might be getting some drafts in the fall. Wood door frames and window frames tend to expand in the Summer months with humidity and temperature, and can shrink in the fall and winter, leaving air gaps you'll want to take care of. Give the edges of your doors and windows a feel, and replace cault and weather stripping as needed.
- Service the fireplace. You'll want to check that ash and soot are not building up in the flue to make sure the fireplace has the correct ventilation. It might be worth contracting work out to a chimney sweep if you're unfamiliar or don't have the tools.
- Change your filters. Dirty and worn out furnace filters can not only lower the energy efficiency of your home, but they can also cause health problems and fire hazards.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Especially if you have a gas furnace, it is incredibly important to make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are functioning. While newer models of detectors last years, it's never a bad idea to give your detectors a quick test. Bonus tip if you have to swap out a battery or detector - write the date of installation and the time rating for the battery on the side of the detector that faces your ceiling.
These are your priority points before the winter, and may not need serious service every year. We hope these maintenance and winterizing tips will help you and your family have a more comfortable winter! Please check out our other blog posts to see if there is anything of interest for you!
Spring brings longer days, blooming landscapes, and unpredictable weather for businesses in Annapolis and Frederick, Maryland. Storms in the Mid-Atlantic can bring heavy rain, flooding, hail, and strong winds, often leading to costly damages for business owners. That’s why now is the perfect time to evaluate your business insurance coverage and ensure you’re protected against the unique seasonal risks spring brings. *** Why Spring Storms Matter to Maryland Business Owners Maryland's spring weather is known for its volatility. Sudden thunderstorms, high winds, and localized flooding can affect both coastal towns like Annapolis and inland areas like Frederick. In 2022 alone, several businesses in Frederick County experienced power outages and property damage due to intense spring storms. Similarly, businesses near the Chesapeake Bay face storm surges and flash flooding, especially during early-season weather systems. For local businesses—from boutique shops in downtown Annapolis to industrial warehouses near Frederick’s tech corridor—spring weather disruptions can mean more than just cleanup. They can lead to business interruptions, loss of inventory, and expensive repairs. How Business Insurance Can Help Business insurance is a critical safeguard that provides financial protection when natural disasters strike. But not all policies are created equal. Understanding the specific coverages that protect against spring-related risks can make a big difference when it matters most. Here are the top types of business insurance you should review this season: 1. Commercial Property Insurance. This is the foundation of most business insurance policies. It covers your physical assets, such as your building, equipment, and inventory, if they’re damaged by covered perils like wind, hail, or lightning. If a windstorm damages the roof of your downtown Annapolis storefront or flooding ruins inventory stored in your Frederick warehouse, commercial property insurance helps cover repair and replacement costs. Be sure to check if your policy includes flood protection. You may need to purchase separate flood insurance, especially in flood-prone areas near the Chesapeake Bay. 2. Business Interruption Insurance. Also known as business income insurance, this coverage kicks in if your operations are forced to shut down due to storm-related damage. It covers lost income, payroll, rent, and other operating expenses during the downtime. Imagine a storm causes structural damage to your Frederick café, requiring you to close for two weeks. Business interruption insurance can help you stay afloat financially until you reopen. 3. Equipment Breakdown Insurance. Spring storms can lead to power surges and electrical issues, which can damage your essential equipment, like refrigerators, HVAC systems, or point-of-sale terminals. Equipment breakdown insurance helps cover the cost of repair or replacement, so your operations don't have to close temporarily. This is crucial for restaurants, retail shops, and healthcare facilities in Annapolis and Frederick that rely on specialized machinery. 4. Commercial Auto Insurance. If your business uses vehicles for deliveries, transportation, or service calls. Make sure your commercial auto insurance includes comprehensive coverage. This protects your vehicles from non-collision-related damages, including those caused by hail, fallen trees, or flooding. Local fleets operating between Annapolis and Frederick are especially vulnerable during spring travel, when roads may be slick or obstructed. 5. General Liability Insurance. Spring storms sometimes lead to unexpected hazards, like a slippery floor or fallen debris outside your storefront, that can cause injury to customers or passersby. General liability insurance covers medical costs, legal fees, and settlements if someone gets hurt on your property. This type of coverage is essential for public-facing businesses, such as those located along the bustling streets of Annapolis or in Frederick’s historic downtown district. Take These Steps Now to Stay Protected Review Your Policy with a Local Agent. Insurance needs vary depending on location, business type, and risk exposure. A local agent, like the experienced team at Lindquist Insurance, can assess your current coverage and suggest any needed updates tailored to the Annapolis and Frederick regions. 1. Document and Protect Your Assets. Take an inventory of your equipment, supplies, and property. Back up digital records and store documents off-site or in the cloud. This speeds up claims processing in the event of a loss. 2. Create a Spring Storm Preparedness Plan. Include emergency contact lists, backup power sources, evacuation procedures, and a communication plan for employees and customers. 3. Schedule an Annual Insurance Checkup. Use the changing season as a reminder to reassess your business insurance needs. Your business evolves—and so should your protection. At Lindquist Insurance , we’re proud to serve the business communities of Annapolis and Frederick, MD. Our goal is to help you weather any storm with confidence, knowing you’re covered where it counts. Whether you run a waterfront shop in Annapolis or a growing service business in Frederick, our team is ready to help you find the right business insurance solutions for the spring season and beyond. Contact our business insurance specialists today for a free business insurance review or call us at (301) 694-0008 or visit www.lindquistinsurance.com. *** For more information on Maryland weather, visit the Weather US website .
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