Posted by John Coyle on Thu, Apr 08, 2010
Summer is just around the corner!
Those kids are getting ready to get out of school and have made "vivid" plans on how they intend to spend those three precious months...we call summer. If you are like my mom or dad, you are probably preparing the house for the grandkids to come hang out some with grandma and grandpa. Well what we have prepared is a short simple 13 step checklist to make sure your home is safe for all this spring and summer. Hope you enjoy your time this year with your family and here's to a SAFE and HAPPY time with "our families."
Spring maintenance tips....
- 1. Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure that there is one on each floor of your home. Test them and change the battery every three months or as needed. If you need to order smoke detectors or batteries here are are a couple of great online sources...
Click here ... http://bit.ly/SmokeDetectors
- 2. Check the light bulbs in all your fixtures to be sure that they are the correct wattage as recommended by the manufacturer.
- 3. Replace all high-intensity bulbs (such as halogen) with fluorescent bulbs that don't produce as much heat.
- 4. Check your electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service. Always consult a electrician if you discover any serious problems.
- 5. Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible that is filled and ready for operation. For those of you that are like me and sometimes need a little help in what type of fire extinguisher to buy, here is a GREAT website that has "FIRE EXTINGUISHER 101" Tips... http://bit.ly/FireExtinguisher
- 6. Have your air conditioning system inspected by a professional as recommended by the manufacturer.
- 7. Check for damage to your roof and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating.
- 8. Check your water heater for leaks and corrosion.
- 9. Clean and/or replace your furnace filter.
- 10. Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust, and pieces of material and cloth.
- 11. In your yard, remove all dead trees and keep healthy trees and bushes trimmed and away from utility wires and roof.
- 12. Safely store oil and gas for lawn equipment and tools in a vented, locked area.
- 13.Repair driveway and walkways that are cracked, broken or uneven to provide a level walking surface.
At Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc., we take a personal interest in our customers. We like to share information that helps you protect yourself and your family from financial loss. If you have any questions, regarding this information or your insurance coverage, please don't hesitate to give us a call phone: 214-387-0600 or e-mail me personally, John Coyle at jcoyle@tristarins.com
Posted by John Coyle on Thu, May 15, 2008
If you live in North Texas, you undoubtedly know that Texas-sized hailstones can wreak havoc on your roof. It’s nearly impossible to avoid hail damage around this part of the country, but how do you know if the damage is just cosmetic or if you need to have your roof repaired? Tri Star Insurance wants you to know when you need to call your homeowner’s insurance agent and offers you these suggestions for evaluating the level of damage to your roof.
Most homes have roofing made from asphalt shingles, wood shingles and shakes or roof tiles. Asphalt shingles are the most common, covering over 80% of the homes in this country. Asphalt shingles are tough and can stand up to plenty of beatings from hail, but Texas-sized hailstorms can leave their mark on even the strongest roof. Hail damage to asphalt shingles can happen in two different ways: the reinforcing mat can be ruptured or the granules on the shingles are knocked off which exposes the bitumen underneath. If the reinforcing mat is ruptured, the shingle’s ability to shed water is lowered and if the shingles begin losing these granules, the life of the shingles is drastically reduced. These problems can result in water entering the interior of your home, dramatically increasing the amount of water damage to your home.
The problem is that roof damage isn’t always obvious to the naked eye, especially from ground level. There are a few signs though that your roof requires a closer inspection. Be careful about getting on a ladder to inspect your roof. Don’t climb onto the surface of the roof, because damage could make the roof unstable and you may not realize it until it’s too late. Instead, get out your binoculars and look for these problems:
- Torn or missing shingles
- Warped or dented spots in the roof
- Broken tiles or tiles knocked out of place
- Missing metal roof panels
- Water spots or other signs of water in your attic
Generally, if you have hail damage to your vehicles or other property your roof could be damaged as well.
If you notice hail damage to your roof, or a significant amount of hail damage to other property, it’s time to pick up the phone and call your insurance agent. When you are working with a reputable agency, they will be happy to send out an adjustor to look at your home and determine whether you do have hail damage to your roof. If you live in the North Dallas, Plano or Frisco, Texas areas, you can depend on quality customer service from the folks at Tri-Star Insurance Professionals. Call Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc., today at 214-387-0600 or toll-free at 1-800-880-4600 for homeowner’s insurance to provide the coverage you need to protect your home from hail damage. When you live in Texas, you know the hailstorms will likely continue throughout the summer. Make sure your home is protected with sufficient homeowner’s insurance before your roof takes a beating from the next hailstorm.
Related Links
My Free Estimates
HomeTips
DFW Roofing Companies
Posted by John Coyle on Sat, May 10, 2008
2008 has seen the outbreak of several severe storms with damaging hail throughout the Dallas-Ft Worth area. Current estimates are that more than 10,000 homes and vehicles sustained some hail damage from these spring storms. Mike and Sarah’s two year home in Frisco was one of them. “It was terrifying” explained Sarah. “I could hear the hail hitting the roof. It made this horrible popping sound that did not stop for five or ten minutes. The windows shuttered, I thought they would break. I just hid in the bathroom.” When the storm was over a panicked Sarah called Mike at work. He told her not to worry he would be right home. On the way he called his Tri Star insurance agent. He was reassured by his agent that his Tri Star homeowner’s insurance policy provided replacement cost for any roof damage from the hail storm. The important thing was that his family was all right.
Mike and Sarah’s experience is not unique according to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes. “In an average year, hail causes more than $1.6 billion worth of damage to residential roofs in the United States, making it, year in and year out, one of the most costly natural disasters.” Unfortunately, Texas is in the middle of hail alley and a home owner can expect a hail producing storm in the area several times each year.
Mike and Sarah’s Tri Star Insurance agent asked them to check for hail damaged windows and possible roof damage. He suggested that they look at trees, shrubs, and plants near the house. If plant leaves are shredded, there is a better than average change that there is roof damage. He also suggested that they check fences and cars around their house for dents, another indicator of possible hail-induced roof damage. He told Mike to also check on the sidewalk and around the house for a significant number of asphalt granules washed from the roof. Finally, the Tri Star agent recommended that Mike visually check the roof, if he was comfortable doing that, and to call the agent back with his findings.
Mike and Sarah’s damage was severe. Although there were no visible holes in the roof, there were randomly spaced strike marks in several places, a significant loss of asphalt granules, and bruising marks on many shingles. Mike also found dents in their roof vents. When Mike talked with his next door neighbor, who had shake shingles on his roof, the neighbor reported that several of his shakes were split indicating hail damage. Mike called his Tri Star Insurance agent and reported the damage. They scheduled an insurance adjuster to come out to their house to document the damage, and discuss replacement costs and options.
Mike and Sarah were so glad they had Tri Star insurance. Their agent was immediately available, told them what to do, and provided comforting assurance that their policy would cover the cost of replacing their roof and vents. No one wants to be the victim of a hailstorm, but they happen and sometimes frequently in hail alley. Mike and Sarah’s homeowner’s policy covered them; does your policy protect you? Call 214-387-0600 to find out.
Related Links
Hail and Storm Reporting
HomeTime
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes