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Fall is a beautiful time of year. It is also a beautiful time of year to do a quick fall checkup of your home before we settle in for another long winter. We all know that fall is the time for clogged gutters and downspouts as the leaves turn and fall, but there is one thing that all too many homeowners overlook when preparing their home for the fall/winter season.

Before you know it temperatures will hit the freezing point at night and in the early morning. Especially if you live in our mountain communities here in Colorado. So, once you’re done cleaning the gutters from dirt, debris and falling leaves and checking that your flashing system is ready to direct rain and melting snow away from your home, take a quick walk around your home and unscrew any and all garden hoses from the faucets.

If you're still using a good old fashioned watering can to tend to your garden, then you are already one step ahead of the game for fall home preparations
If you’re still using a good old fashioned watering can to tend to your garden, then you are already one step ahead of the game for fall home preparations

Water damage is your home or business’ worst enemy

We know you still need to water your plants and perennials during the fall and winter months (until the snow starts to fall), but when your hose is attached to the faucet water can often build up into the pipes hidden in your exterior walls. Should the temperatures drop below 32 degrees fahrenheit that built up water could freeze. Freezing water expands and before you know it you’re waking up to a busted pipe. Or worse, you could wake up and not even notice you have a busted pipe until much later when the water starts to seep through your walls, and then you’re in serious trouble.

Even if you think you still have a little time left before the temperature reaches the freezing point, why push your luck? Unscrewing your hose from the faucet will take 2 minutes and cost you nothing. A burst pipe and water damage can cost you everything, including your home.

A busted pipe can be detrimental to your home...and your insurance premiums.
A busted pipe can be detrimental to your home…and your insurance premiums.

While you’re at it, any pipe that leads to an outdoor faucet should be shut off and properly insulated, if possible. Again, better safe than sorry. Water damage, especially the kind that can go un-noticed for a while is the most costly water damage of all. Even with the best insurance to cover the damages, having to uproot your family while the reconstruction is taking place, or to live with a home under repair can be tough, even on the most patient of people. And eve

If you do get water damage due to busted pipes, fix the problem immediately

Water damage spreads quickly, so does the mold that inevitably follows. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse…and more expensive to fix.

So, why are you still sitting here reading this? Get outside, unscrew your hoses, shut off valves to exterior faucets and give your home a fighting chance this fall.