Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and what better way to celebrate than to show your home some love! Why buy the fancy dinner, the flowers or the chocolate, when you can invest in your home to make it a better place to live and add to its value in the long run!
Here at AA Ireland we have laid out some tips and tricks to help you ensure your relationship with your home lasts forever. After all, home is where the heart is..
Protect your home
Let’s face it when it comes to our Irish weather it is not uncommon to experience the entire four seasons in one week (or a day!). Therefore, it’s important to carry out the necessary house checks on a regular basis, to ensure you are safe all year round.
Colder weather can bring a lot of hazards. From frozen or burst pipes to roof damage from snow and ice, here’s how to prepare your home.
Our AA Home Insurance team have also put together some tips on how to help protect your home in the event of a storm.
And if you’re heading away, whether it’s in Ireland or abroad, here is how to keep your home protected.
What about insurance?
Have you looked at your home insurance policy lately? If you haven’t, the beginning of the year is a great time to re-evaluate the needs of your home.
To help you ensure you have the right level of cover in place, while also sticking to your budget, we’ve put together a short list of 5 important things to consider before insuring your home.
For an AA Home Insurance quote click here.
Add smart technology
Smart thermometers, home security systems and indoor lighting automation have all improved over the last few years.
To make your home more energy efficient, why not add a smart device. Not only will it save you money, but it will eliminate your carbon footprint too!
Clean it up
Take some time now to give your house a good clean! Yes, we mean your washing machine, microwave, oven and other appliances.
It might take a while, but the results will be worth it. You will be glad to come home to, or work in, a glistening house!
What about renovations?
Whether you’re planning to expand your home to accommodate a growing family, prepare your home for retirement, or simply looking to make a few minor changes, here is some advice on how to make your renovations as stress-free as possible and avoid putting a significant dent in your bank balance!
Before you begin any renovations take the time to review what your home currently looks like, clear out anything that you no longer need, and see if there are ways to re-organise your existing home to maximise the space you have.
If you’re planning significant renovations it’s important to sit down and consider how much your planned changes are going to cost – allow for the unexpected as well. And keep in mind that when it comes to the physical renovations it’s important to stick to your plan as closely as possible.
If you are carrying out some renovations it can be a good time to reconsider your mortgage protection. Switching provider could help you save in the long-run, giving you a little more money to help cover your renovation costs.
Preventing rodents
A particular concern for many people, during winter especially, is an invasion of rats or mice. Once they gain entry, they can cause a lot of problems in your home. As well as spreading disease and bacteria, they can damage wires and furniture.
So what can you do? Well, don’t forget that mice and rats can squeeze through tiny openings, so seal up any possible entry points. Don’t leave scraps of food lying around and pay attention to any unpleasant smells in your kitchen. Tidy your property. Keep your home dry and avoid any leaks as pests are drawn to water and moisture in the air.
If they do manage to get in, contact a pest controller.
Reduce the risk of fire
Whether you are lighting a fire or setting the mood with some candles, it’s always important to ensure your home is protected against the risk of fire.
Check your smoke alarms, be careful with open fires, watch electrical items and don’t smoke in bed! See our full list of tips here.
