7 Essential Spring Cleaning Tips

With the arrival of warm weather and sunshine, (It's coming, be patient) the last thing you want to do is spend every weekend on spring cleaning projects. Fortunately, our handy checklist makes it easy to tackle the big projects step-by-step. Set aside time each weekend to tune up a different part of your house, and in no time your home will be ready for summer!

1. Check for missing or cracked shingles. While on your roof, visually check the condition of your shingles for curling, warping, Clean gutters and downspouts. After removing winter debris from your gutters, check for any blockages by tapping the side of the spout or by blowing air down your drain spout with a leaf blower.
2. Air should flow easily and the drain spout will make a hollow sound. Drainage should be diverted at least three feet from your home’s foundation.
3. Remove debris and vegetation. Ensure winter storm debris does not cause any airflow blockages, which can strain the unit and spike energy bills.
4. Change air filters.  At a minimum, you should change your air filter every three to six months.  A dirty filter slows down airflow, causing your system to work overtime to keep your home cool, which increases energy costs.
5. Schedule a tune-up.  Many reputable HVAC service centers offer seasonal savings on spring tune-ups.  A professional will check your unit for potential problems and replace any aging parts, which helps prevent early system failure.
6. Check for peeling paint or siding. Take a walk around your house and look for any siding damage. It’s much more affordable to repaint your siding or trim now rather than wait until water entry has rotted the wood! If you own a brick home, the brickwork should be resealed every five to eight years.
7. Reseal your deck. Check for loose boards that may need replacement or resealing. If it’s been a few years since your deck’s last spring cleaning, consider power washing and resealing your deck.

Spring is the perfect time to clear out winter’s clutter and start fresh.  Just like a car, your home needs regular tune-ups to keep it secure, comfortable, and beautiful for years to come.

Thanks for visiting our blog.  For more Louisville home insurance information visit our website, DolackInsurance.com or call 502-333-0577 for a Free Quote or Consultation.

How to Prepare for a Hail Storm

Hail can occur in any strong thunderstorm, with chunks of ice falling at 120 mph, even in the summer.  The size of the hail can range from the size of a pea to the size of a grapefruit.  When hail hits, it can shred roof coverings and lead to water damage to your ceilings, walls, floors, appliances and personal possessions.  Just one hailstorm in Kansas City in 2001 caused an estimated $2 billion in damages, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  Dolack Insurance recommends you implement these hail safety steps now to prevent or lessen damage from a hailstorm.

FOR YOUR HOME

The biggest material concern during a hailstorm is damage to your roof. If there is hail to your patio furniture or your car, you should have your roof inspected as well. Here are a few more hail protection tips:

• No roofing material is hail-proof, but you can find hail-resistant shingles. Look for a Class 4 rating from the Underwriters Laboratories. This rating means that a sample of the product didn't crack when hit twice in the same area by a 2-inch steel ball.
• Find information on what type of roof is appropriate for your area with help from the Institute for Business and Home Safety.
• Most roofing jobs are not for the do-it-yourselfer. Unless you have lots of experience in replacing roof coverings, hire a professional roofing contractor to handle it.

For your car

Hail can damage your automobile so severely that it may cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to repair, so take steps to protect your car if a thunderstorm approaches. Consider these car hail protection tips:

• If weather forecasters are predicting a severe thunderstorm, park your car where it will be protected, such as a parking garage.
• If you are driving and it starts to hail, drive under an overpass or to a garage or carport if you can. If there's no time, pull to the side of road, cover your face with clothing to protect it from possible broken glass and wait until the hail stops. Most hailstorms last five minutes.

During the storm

• If you're inside when a storm with large hailstones strikes, stay there.
• Because large pieces of hail can shatter windows, close your drapes, blinds or window shades to prevent the wind from blowing broken glass inside.
• Stay away from skylights and doors.
• If you're outside, move immediately to a place of shelter.

This hail protection information is meant to help you make decisions that may reduce your risk. Of course, we can't note every possible risk, and we can't guarantee that these tips will work for you. However, we hope that if you use some of them, you'll better protect your family and yourself.

We hope this information has been of some use.  Contact Dolack Insurance for a Louisville home insurance or Louisville car insurance quote.  Call 502-333-0577 or visit DolackInsurance.com for a quote or free consultation

The Gun Debate and Louisville Home Insurance

As the gun debates rage on, it’s a good reminder that homeowners insurance policies also provide some coverage for firearms.  Specifically, a homeowner or renters insurance policy will typically cover theft of a firearm stolen from the premises and liability due to the accidental discharge of a firearm causing injury up to the limits of the policy.  Intentional acts, not related to shooting an individual threatening your safety, home insurance does not cover. 
For proper and effective ways to store and secure firearms, Dolack Insurance provides these tips to help gun owners rest easy:

• Store guns safely and securely to prevent unauthorized use, such as in a lockable container like a lock box or gun safe.
• Guns and ammunition should always be stored separately.
• Increase safety by using both a trigger or cable lock 
• Don not store guns where visible or within easy access of children.
• Do not store firearms with other valuables such as jewelry or cameras, etc.
• If you have children in the household, you may be guilty of a misdemeanor or felony if you keep a loaded, unsecured firearm on the premises and a child in your custody under the age of 18 uses it or carries it to a public place.

 

We hope these tips proved helpful because one misstep is one to many when it comes to guns.  Gun safety courses are essential for anyone interested in protecting themselves, or family, with a firearm.  The most basic rules to remember are use common sense and treat every gun like it’s loaded.

Thanks for visiting our website.  We are always willing to provide our expertise when it comes to Louisville auto insurance, Louisville home insurance, or whatever you need.  For a Free Consulatation, call us at 502-333-0577 for an insurance quote, or our website, DolackInsurance.com

8 Steps for Securing Your House over Spring Break

Spring Break is coming up and thieves and robbers can't wait.  Burglars use your time away to plot and scheme wasy to rob you blind.  If they are successful, you may end up turning in a home insurance claim and see your premium skyrocket.  Whether you’re going away for a week or weekend, here are some simple ways to secure your home and avoid wrecking your homeowners insurance rate:

1.       Get to know your neighbors. Let trusted people know you are leaving and ask them to keep an eye on your home.  Make sure they pick up your mail/newspaper, or stop those deliveries for the duration of your trip.  A pile of newspapers and an overstuffed mailbox is a dead giveaway that no one is home.

2.       REFRAIN from social media:  Don’t announce your travel plans on Twitter or Facebook.  If you can’t stop making vacation related updates, at least turn off the location notifications so people don’t know how far you are from home.

3.       Make your place LOOK OCCUPIED:  Set your outside lights so at least one stays on at night and put timers on your indoor lighting so they go on and off at random intervals.

4.       HIDE obvious temptations:  Do you have an amazing grill?  Lock it inside.  Can you see in your windows? Don’t leave something valuable near them.

5.       LOCK EVERYTHING:  A quality deadbolt lock is the first defense from an intruder entering your home, but it only works when it’s used.  Double check every door and window before you leave to be safe.

6.       DO NOT hide a spare key outside:  Criminals have more experience finding spare keys than you have hiding them. If you need to leave a key somewhere, leave it with a trusted neighbor.

7.       If a car is parked outside, DO NOT leave a garage door opener in it.  Should the house prove impregnable, this is the last option burglars exhaust before they chance breaking glass.

8.       Plant a home security sign in the front lawn:  Home security systems work exceptionally well but not everyone can afford the service.  Create a legitimate looking sign and place it in a visible, well-lit spot.  Burglars will think twice before robbing a protected home.

      

      Above all, enjoy your spring break.  We just hope this tips will help you rest easy while you're away taking a well deserved break.

d    Thanks for stopping by and checking out our blog.  For a free Insurance Quote, visit our website www.DolackInsurance.com or call us at 502-333-0577 for a free consultation.