Category: Household Tips

There are dozens of reasons people prefer living in their home to an apartment – but every homeowner will probably tell you that there’s one major drawback: When something breaks down, you can’t call the management and ask them to fix it.

HVAC units go on the fritz on the hottest day of summer, water heaters stop working in the middle of winter, and – if you’re like most people – your kitchen appliances will break down just before a major holiday or dinner party. As the homeowner, it’s all on you to get those repairs handled.

Rather than relying on their savings, however, people are increasingly investing in home warranties to help them manage common household repairs. Learning more about what a home warranty is, and when it is right for you can help you get the protection you need for an uncertain future.

What Is a Home Warranty, and What Does It Cover?

A home warranty is an optional type of insurance protection that you can buy for your home. It functions as a service agreement between the company that underwrites the warranty and the homeowner to handle repairs and replacements for any covered household appliances or systems. 

Home warranties vary greatly in their scope, but they will often cover things like:

• Your HVAC system
• Water heaters
• Plumbing issues
• Electrical problems
• Washers and dryers
• Refrigerators and stoves
• Freezers
• Septic systems
• Hot tubs and swimming pools

When purchasing a home warranty, it’s important to make sure that you fully understand what’s covered (and what is not). You also need to understand the maximum you can be charged for a service call (especially if it takes repeat trips) and any annual coverage limits. 

Why Do You Need a Home Warranty if You Have Homeowners Insurance?

Home warranties can feel like an unnecessary expense – or maybe just another way for insurance companies to eke a few more dollars out of your wallet – when you already have homeowners insurance – but that’s generally only because people don’t understand the difference between the two.

Homeowners insurance covers things like damage to your chimney from an electrical storm, or missing shingles from your roof after a tornado. They also cover major damage that comes from things like burglaries and house fires, or pipes that freeze and break while you’re on vacation. In addition, they’re a buffer in case you get sued over a property liability claim after someone slips and falls on your porch steps or your dog nips the postal carrier.

Homeowners insurance does not, however, cover things that break down simply through the usual wear-and-tear over time. For example, your plumbing is an integral part of your home’s features and key to its usability, but a problem with your sewer line is not likely to be covered under your homeowners insurance. You can also bet that your appliances, including the washer, dryer, HVAC system and water heater, also won’t be covered if they break down and need to be replaced.

How Do You Tell if a Home Warranty Is Right for Your Situation?

Generally speaking, experts tell people that buying an extended warranty on a lot of purchases isn’t usually worth the money because the items they’re buying are either:

• Unlikely to break down on their own as long as you maintain them properly
• Not that costly in the first place, with a limited lifespan (which the warranty won’t extend)
• Not that expensive to repair if they do happen to break down

For the large part, that information might be true – if you’re talking about the average notepad computer, a gaming system or a piece of furniture.

Not so, however, when you’re talking about a whole house and its major operating systems. Home warranties are different from extended warranties because they’re usually designed to cover both your appliances and the whole-house systems, like the electric and plumbing. These are things that are expected to occasionally fail.

Typically, this means that you can call up your home warranty provider and get a reliable, trusted service professional from their network at your door in no time. If some appliance or system that’s covered by your policy needs to be repaired or replaced, you will usually only pay a service fee for the visit – and that can save you thousands. 

This is particularly true if you’ve invested in a home with a lot of “smart” features, including smart appliances and built-in systems that control your home’s security, lighting, sprinklers and more. When something goes wrong, it’s definitely nice to know that the repairs are covered!

When Can You Buy a Home Warranty?

Home warranties sometimes are purchased when someone buys or builds a home (although builder warranties may sometimes offer sufficient overlap that an additional home warranty might not be immediately needed). 

They’re also sometimes purchased by someone who is selling a home, as an incentive for buyers who may love those stainless steel kitchen appliances but dread the idea of having to replace them if they break. It’s estimated that the average home warranty runs somewhere between $300 and $1,000 per year, depending on its features, and a warranty that will cover a buyer for a year or two can provide great reassurance.

In reality, however, it’s never too late to get a home warranty – until something has already broken down and you’re facing that hefty repair bill.

Homeownership is one of the most rewarding experiences many people ever have, but it can be difficult to manage when repairs are needed. Aside from the unexpected expense, you also have to find a service professional that you can trust. A good home warranty can be an absolute lifesaver when something happens.

Shawna O’Brien, Executive Club
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
317-506-0039

There are many hidden sources of moisture in your home that can lead to serious problems, such as mold. To keep moisture levels in check, consider these tips:

• Bathrooms are an obvious source of moisture build-up. Contractor and TV personality Mike Holmes recommends keeping the fan going for at least half an hour after a shower.
• Check regularly for water infiltration around window and door sills, as well as other intakes into the home, such as dryer vents and cable wiring.
• Determine the humidity level in your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it should be 30-60%. (Keep in mind that humidity may vary greatly from room to room.)
• Regularly inspect caulking around sinks, tubs and showers. Even a tiny break can cause water to leak gradually into the wall or floor, causing damage you may not notice for months.
• Clean up wet spills as soon as possible. Be particularly careful with hardwood floors, as water can seep through and become trapped.
• Repair leaking faucets and pipes immediately. Even a small drip can add significant moisture inside a vanity or kitchen cupboard.

Being mindful of moisture today can help you avoid potentially high repair bills later on.

Shawna O’Brien
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
317-506-0039

As the summer stretches on, and your patio furnishings start to show the signs of use, you may want to try these simple ways of restoring them to their original luster.

Before trying any of these techniques, always test in an inconspicuous area first. 

For vinyl cushions and fabrics without specific instructions for upkeep, try a mixture of water and mild detergent with an “oxicleansing” additive for stains. Avoid chlorine bleach that can corrode stitching and cause discoloration. Rinse thoroughly and dry without direct sunlight.

Furniture frames require specific care, depending on the material. Wicker should be vacuumed and/or brushed before a gentle washing and rinsing with a garden hose (not a power washer). Aluminum frames will keep their appearance longer if you apply and buff a coating of car wax after wiping clean and drying. Natural woods fare well when scrubbed with commercial oil soap (not detergent), and can retain their integrity longer with a weather-resistant stain or urethane treatment. To help your outdoor furniture last from season to season, invest in weather-resistant slip covers.

Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
The Tumbarello Group

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 160 people are injured each year in BBQ mishaps. That doesn’t sound like a lot considering the number of people who flip burgers on their backyard grills each year. But, you certainly don’t want to be one of those who get injured!

The best way to prevent fire and injury is maintenance. Remarkably, few people are even aware that BBQ maintenance is necessary. It is.

Every summer, experts say you should clean out the venturi tubes. Those are the little metal pipes that carry propane or natural gas. Pipe cleaners work well, although hardware stores also carry specialized tools for this purpose. The goal is to clean out any built-up dirt and debris. Don’t be surprised if you find spider webs inside a venturi tube!

Your BBQ grills should also be cleaned with soap and water each year. Just scraping them before barbequing isn’t enough. Fat and oils from cooking can build up on grills and harden. If you’re getting a lot of flare-ups, this may be the cause.

Finally, make sure nuts and bolts are tightened regularly, and replace any rusty hardware. Regular use, heat and weather can loosen or weaken bolts, particularly on the frame. Several fires each year are caused by BBQs tipping over or collapsing.

Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
The Tumbarello Group