Suhre recommends signing a contract with a trustworthy HVAC company to regularly maintain your unit. You may have to replace it before it stops working, he warned, as some insurers won’t cover homes with water heaters that are 10 years old or older. Most water heaters have a life expectancy of eight to 12 years, said Suhre. You’ll need to find a reliable plumber to service your gas-powered water heater so they can check the heat exchange. No maintenance is necessary for electric tankless water heaters, but gas is another story. Some homeowners have tankless water heaters, and maintenance depends upon whether it runs on electricity or natural gas, said Suhre. If your water heater is located in your garage, you simply need to hook up a hose to the spigot at the bottom of the tank and run the hose outside and into the driveway to allow the water to drain, he explained. If your water heater has a tank, you should drain or flush it once a year to eliminate any harmful particles that build up in your water supply, shared Suhre. Issues with the flashing, which is a continuous piece of material that goes around a window to prevent water intrusion, also need to be addressed, he added.īecause moisture is a home’s greatest natural enemy, it is also important to do an annual check to replenish any worn caulk around exterior windows, doors, stucco cracks and any other areas where water might sneak in during a wind-blown rain. Suhre stated that windows can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years, and should be replaced when you notice cracks, fogging or leaks. According to Butt, this is the biggest discount associated with a home insurance policy. Once you have your roof replaced, be sure to have a wind mitigation inspection completed and submitted to your insurance company. “The pricing for homeowners’ insurance was not designed to cover roof replacement for normal and expected wear and tear,” she said. Marie Betlow, Licensed Personal Agent with Pineapple Insurance, added that homeowners should not be looking to insurance to replace their roof, unless it was damaged by a fire or storm. Joshua Butts of Cornerstone Insurance said the best rates typically go to homes with roofs no older than 10 years. Replacing the roof before it ages out can also result in better homeowner’s insurance rates. An inspection by a licensed roofing contractor can help assess any damage and give you a better idea of the roof’s longevity to help you budget. Replacing the shingles before the roof decking is damaged will save money in the long run. Many minor, slow leaks aren’t detectible inside a home, but can quickly destroy the underlying plywood. However, don’t wait until the roof is actively leaking to replace it. Sometimes the damaged areas of the roof can be repaired independently. He also mentioned that broken tiles or missing shingles don’t necessarily mean that an entire roof needs to be replaced. “They only need attention if they’re damaged or deteriorated.” “There’s nothing you really need to do maintenance-wise, unless you have missing shingles or broken tiles,” Suhre continued. Concrete tiles can last as long as 40 to 60 years. Three-tab shingles typically last 10 to 15 years in Florida, while architectural (or dimensional) shingles generally last 15 to 20 years, said Suhre. With our heat, humidity and sun, we have different life expectancies in our state.” Do you have shingles, concrete tile or metal? They have different life spans in Florida,” explained Greg Suhre, owner of National Property Inspections. How often should you replace your roof? “It depends on the type of roof. We asked local experts to share their advice on properly maintaining a home and some of their answers may surprise you. How do you know which actions are necessary, and which are simply lining the pockets of the professionals that you hire? Home maintenance can be a challenging endeavor, especially if you aren’t certain whether you can completely trust the contractors you have hired. Your home is likely your biggest investment, and caring for it is a high priority for most homeowners.
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