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February
28
28
Are You Prepared for These Home Emergencies?
Your home is your castle, and you have to defend it against leaks, rodents, fires, and other emergencies. Whether you are settling into your home or still browsing Maple Grove homes for sale, it's essential to think about how to handle common emergencies. To that end, the following are common threats you'll want to protect your home from suffering.
- Leaks
Broken faucets, damaged sewer lines, frozen irrigation systems, and other plumbing problems can cause significant leaks in your home and on your property. The best way to prepare yourself is to regularly inspect your plumbing systems, adhere to all required maintenance, and keep the number of a trusted, certified plumber at the ready. - Power Outages
Power grid failures are becoming increasingly common. Unfortunately, when the power goes down, security systems, lights, and appliances go down, too. To protect yourself, install a standby generator system in your home. It's a cost-effective investment that will pay for itself should an extended outage occur. - Gas Leaks
Gas leaks are rare, but they do happen. If you smell natural gas, open the windows and doors, and evacuate the home immediately. Do not turn off lights or appliances, and wait until you are safely away to contact the utility provider's emergency hotline. Keep this number, as well as that of a certified plumber, in your phone so that you can quickly address this problem. - Fire
There are nearly 400,000 residential fires in the US each year. The materials used in modern building materials, clothing, and furniture mean that fires spread faster and hotter than ever. You should position smoke alarms in every room, as well as ABC fire extinguishers in the kitchen, garage, beside the fireplace, and within hallways. Finally, for superior protection, consider installing a residential sprinkler system. - Roof Damage
Wind, rain, hail, and snow can all damage roofing materials. Left unrepaired, this can cause significant damage to underlying structures. To protect your home, keep the number of several qualified roofing companies handy. - Furnace or Water Heater Failure
Furnaces will last about 15 years, while water heaters can be expected to last around 12. Stay on top of preventative maintenance tasks and hire a trusted HVAC technician to service and repair your systems. Then, when they reach the end of their expected lifespan, replace them before they fail. - Lock Outs
If you lose a key, you're out of luck. Instead, consider leaving a key with a trusted next-door neighbor, or install modern smart home locks on the door that can be activated with key codes or fingerprints. - Broken Windows
Baseballs, tree branches, and windblown debris can shatter the glass in your windows. To stay prepared, keep several pieces of pre-cut plywood the size of the most common-sized windows in your home handy. You can nail these up within minutes should a window break and enjoy more protection than a plastic tarp or garbage bag.
There are some incredible Minnetonka homes for sale right now, and we would love to show them to you! Call today to schedule a viewing of your favorite listings. Our real estate agents are happy to show them to you and will point out how the current owners are protecting the property from these common home hazards.