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Necessary Responsibilities of Winter

shoveling snow

Winter comes with its own set of home-related responsibilities that are necessary both for safety and liability.

If you own property, it’s your responsibility to ensure its driveways and sidewalks are safe for people to walk on. Failing to do so enables risk of people falling and hurting themselves and you being held liable. This is true whether you’re city folk and the sidewalk in front of your home is considered public right of way, or you’re country dwellers and the only one coming to your door is a deliveryman.

Reminders for keeping things clear

  • Keep your sidewalks clear of snow, whether you’re a tenant or homeowner. Communities commonly have specific requirements, check your municipal’s website.
  • Keep your downspouts and roof free of ice. Icicles often melt, causing puddles to form near your door, which then refreezes into icy patches.
  • Keep furnace vent, hot water vent and meters clear of snow. Blocked vents can be deadly.
  • Keep your local fire hydrant clear of snow.
  • Keep salt or sand on hand for ice that’s difficult to remove.

Practicing Online Safety in the Home

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) and there’s no better place to practice online safety than your home. From young children playing with internet-connected toys, to teens connecting with friends, and adults running home maintenance from their smartphones, our usage of online technology has never been higher. Nor has the need to protect our privacy and security.

This infographic by the National Cybersecurity Alliance shares online safety tips for the whole family.

 

Cyber Safety Starts at Home inforgraphic

Five Ways to Keep Melting Snow Out of Your Basement This Spring

home downspout in spring

Spring’s sunshine and warmer temperatures quickly melt piles of snow and ice, which is great but…where does all that water go? It goes down the path of least resistance, which is why it’s important to inspect your downspouts, window wells, basement, garage, and sump pump to prevent melting ice and snow from entering your home.

Our reinsurance company Grinnell Re has information to help keep melting snow out of your basement.

  1. Check your downspouts
    Where do your downspouts drain? If they drain just beyond the foundation wall, consider purchasing some extensions so they drain 5 to 6 feet away from your home’s foundation instead of saturating the soil near the house or entering window wells and cracks. Also check the downspout for clogs that may prevent water from flowing through the spout.
  2. Look at the foundation
    Where do utility lines enter the foundation? Make certain all entry points are properly sealed with caulk. Also check for cracks on the wall and floor where water may seep into the basement.
  3. Seal window wells
    Consider installing tightly sealed covers over window wells so water doesn’t accumulate in the window well. The perimeter of those windows should be tightly caulked and sealed. Do not seal basement windows used as emergency egress points.
  4. Check your garage door
    Make sure the garage door closes tightly against the concrete floor of the garage. Are the seals around the door and at the bottom in good condition? Look for cracking or dry rot. That’s a good indication that the seals should be replaced.
  5. Grade your soil
    To prevent basement and garage flooding next spring, place soil around your home’s foundation this summer. Properly grading the soil will help to divert water from the foundation.

IF WATER ENTERS YOUR GARAGE OR BASEMENT

In spite of your efforts to caulk cracks and replace door seals, you may still have water enter your garage or basement. The best way to prevent that water from damaging your home is to have a sump pump in good working condition.

Test the pump before you need it to make sure the battery backup is fully charged.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Forward Mutual if you have questions regarding water prevention or damage. Also follow Grinnell’s Front Porch blog for more great information on keeping your home and your family safe (and dry).

This article is reprinted with permission from Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. The information included was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however Forward Mutual, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company and its employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with any training, materials, suggestions or information provided. It is the user’s responsibility to confirm compliance with any applicable local, state or federal regulations. Information obtained from or via Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company should not be used as the basis for legal advice or other advice, but should be confirmed with alternative sources.

How to Handle Spring Wind Damage to Your Home

High spring winds cause damage to homes

Last week wind gusts in excess of 60 mph left many southern Wisconsin homeowners with fallen trees, damaged structures, and loss of doors or shingles.

What’s the best course of action if this happens to you?

  1. Call your agent. Report your damage and determine whether you have a claim to report to Forward Mutual.
  2. Ask for an Adjustor: If you and your agent are unsure of the amount of damage, Forward is happy to send our adjustor out to evaluate and guide your wind repairs.

Wind damage is frustrating. It’s one more thing already-busy homeowners sometimes must add to their list of things to do. That’s why Forward Mutual is here to help and make repairs as stress-free for you as possible. Contact us with any questions!

 

Keep Your Household Dry This Spring

Water leak detection devices can protect your home from damage

In 2015, 35% of homeowner damages filed with Forward Mutual occurred when plumbing failed or pipes froze. In 2016, this percentage decreased to only 4.4%. Besides weather, what might be responsible for such a decrease in water damage to our homeowners this past year?

CEO and President Lois Wiedenhoeft believes educating our insureds was an important factor.

“It’s our goal to assist homeowners in protecting themselves,” says Lois. “So many plumbing products have surfaced in the marketplace that help prevent water damage and this is information we want to share. Prevention eliminates frustration.”

Prevention also saves money. This spring, protect your home from expensive water damage. Here are helpful suggestions from Forward Mutual.

Sump Pump Monitoring

Most homeowners discover their sump pump has failed when the basement has already flooded. Monitoring systems alert homeowners before the damage occurs, either by sounding an alarm or by calling/texting your phone.

Water Leak Detection

Dishwashers and washing machines sometimes overflow. Refrigerator ice and water dispensers sometimes fail. These plumbing disasters wreak havoc on a homeowner’s floor unless they are detected and stopped immediately. Water leak detection systems can do just that—detect and stop leaks. Depending on the system, these devices will sense and alert you of water leaks and/or significant changes in humidity within your home. They can also stop the leak by cutting off the water supply.

If you have any questions about preventing water damage in your home, give Forward Mutual a call. We are here to offer personal attention and peace of mind.

Frozen Pipes Are No Fun

Frozen Water Pipes are easily preventable

“Frozen” is only charming as a movie. This winter, don’t “let it go” — don’t let cheerful movie tunes and apple-cheeked Nordic princesses distract you from winterizing your home properly. There are plenty of easy, inexpensive ways to prevent winter damage. For instance, a burst pipe can cost you upwards of $5,000 in repairs, but pipe insulation costs as little as 50 cents per linear foot.

Here are some tips for keeping your home dry and your checkbook in the black

  • Insulate your pipes. You can find inexpensive insulation at any hardware store. In a pinch newspapers or blankets can do the trick.
  • Use a space heater. If you have an area of your home that is prone to frozen pipes, run a space heater on the coldest days.
  • Let your faucets drip. It might seem wasteful, but pipes with moving water in them are less likely to freeze.
  • Disconnect outside water sources. You’re unlikely to need your hose during the winter, so empty it, store it, and turn off the valves that go to outside faucets.

If you’ll be away from home

  • Keep cupboard doors open. Open the doors of cupboards that contain pipes so the warm air of the house can reach them.
  • Know how to shut off your water. If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time in the winter find out where the water shut-off to your home is. And use it.
  • Call on a friend. Ask someone you trust to check your home daily if you’ll be gone for more than a few days. If a pipe does burst, the sooner its discovered the better. Thousands of gallons of water could end up in your house if a break goes unnoticed.

For more information

Use this handy checklist or Grinnell Mutual’s Front Porch blog to see what else you should be doing to weatherproof your home for the winter. And for any questions you have, contact us at Forward Mutual. 

This article is reprinted with permission from Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. The information included was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however Forward Mutual, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company and its employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with any training, materials, suggestions or information provided. It is the user’s responsibility to confirm compliance with any applicable local, state or federal regulations. Information obtained from or via Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company should not be used as the basis for legal advice or other advice, but should be confirmed with alternative sources.