Winter Prevention Services: Home Insurance in New Bedford
New Bedford residents have a lot of work to do before the cold weather sets in. One of these strategies is having a plan for clearing the driveway of snow and ice so that you can get to your garage. However, it is also crucial to protect your home, family, and possessions by making the effort to contact a professional for seasonal services and inspections. In the event of a claim, your New Bedford, MA home insurance policy will kick in to protect you from financial ruin. However, the best form of Massachusetts homeowners insurance is prevention. Everything you can do to prevent ever having to negotiate a claim with a New Bedford insurance company is a step in the right direction. We routinely perform seasonal tasks such as inspecting our HVAC systems and removing dead branches, but how often do we clean and inspect our chimneys?
The Best New Bedford Homeowners Insurance
During the cold New England winters, a home with a fireplace can be a welcome haven. Having a fireplace in the room where you spend the most time is beneficial in many ways. Studies show that Americans aren’t as conscientious as they should be about cleaning and inspecting their chimneys before each use to make sure that everything is in proper working order. Hiring a professional to inspect and care for your chimney has many benefits, not the least of which is ensuring its safe and efficient operation. At the very least once a year, in the late summer or early fall, have a contractor take a look at it. Before they’re used, chimneys must be inspected to ensure they are clean, have adequate clearness, and are in good structural condition.
A fireplace needs to be checked and cleaned regularly even if it is only used occasionally. A buildup of debris like leaves, twigs, acorns, and pine needles, as well as the possibility of animals making a home in your chimney, are all increased if you use your fireplace and chimney only on occasion. More statistics and information on the significance of fireplace and chimney safety is available from your MA homeowners insurance agent. You should also double-check that your New Bedford home insurance is up-to-date at this time. Having New Bedford home insurance is about more than just meeting the minimum requirements set by your mortgage lender. Borden Insurance has been one of New Bedford’s most trusted insurance providers for many years, and we’re happy to serve our community.
Safeguard Your Home This Winter
To ensure that smoke is properly expelled from your home, have a professional chimney cleaning and inspection service remove any obstructions from your chimney. Maintaining a clean and functional chimney requires regular maintenance. Creosote, a harmful byproduct of wood burning, must also be removed on a regular basis. This material adheres to the chimney’s inner walls as a fire burns, and it can catch fire if subjected to the high temperatures of subsequent fires. In comparison to having a professional cleaner come in on a regular basis, the use of so-called creosote-removing logs and other products is not very effective. If you hire a service to help you secure your home and prevent everyday maintenance issues, you should let your MA homeowners insurance company know.
In addition, having a professional inspect your chimney once a year is a crucial part of maintaining its integrity. The contractor needs to inspect the chimney for any signs of cracking or excessive wear. They need to make sure there are no cracks or other issues on the inside of the fireplace as well. Your home could sustain damage from settling, pooling water from storms, and other causes if there are cracks or other types of damage. Smoke can leak into your home for a number of reasons, including the growth of mold and mildew, the cracking of drywall or other building materials, and systemic failures. Hiring a trustworthy chimney cleaning and inspection company is essential, so be sure to ask for references before making a decision. Before you use your fireplace this fall, make sure you’ve had it cleaned, repaired, and checked.
Quality Home Insurance in New Bedford
Call us at 508-999-3636 if you have any questions about your current MA homeowners insurance policy or would like to learn more about the New Bedford homeowners insurance options available to you. Any New Bedford or South Coast area resident with questions about Borden Insurance companies can count on us for assistance. Get in touch with us now for your no-obligation quote and to speak with one of our helpful representatives.