A guide to preventative home maintenance

Catching and fixing problems early, when they’re small, can prevent them from ever getting big. So regular checks and inspections around your home can help keep your loved ones safe, preserve your property’s value – and potentially save money down the line.

Suncorp Home Building Insurance provides cover for events like storms, hail, floods and fire. But that cover doesn’t extend to damage due to maintenance issues, wear and tear, gradual deterioration, or your home not being in a good condition. That’s why maintaining your property is so important.

What to check

• Roof
• Plumbing and flexi-hoses
• Gutters and downpipes
• Structural integrity
• Bathrooms and wet areas (particularly shower bases)
• Pests
• Mould
• General repairs
• Areas surrounding your home

Inspect your roof

Your roof can take a beating as it keeps the outside where it belongs. Without proper maintenance, this can lead to serious issues.

What to do

If it’s safe, you may want to take a look yourself, but it may be better – not to mention safer – to contact a licensed expert. Watch out for things like:

• loose or cracked tiles
• moss
• built-up debris piles
• nearby potentially damaging tree branches
• cracked or dislodged tile mortar
• damaged or rusted flashings
• standing water
• areas that have rusted through, or
• leaks.

If you find something or are unsure, get in touch with a licenced specialist. Don’t try to fix it yourself – you might just make it worse.

How often: Get a professional to inspect every three to five years.

Back to top

Regularly check your plumbing for signs of wear or leaks

Keep an eye out for dripping taps. Regularly inspect the pipes under your bathroom, kitchen or laundry sinks for damage or signs of wear. Even a minor leak can lead to major damage over time.

As many pipes are hidden from view, another way to stay vigilant is by checking your water meter every month. This can help you identify any unexpected spikes in usage, which could indicate a leak. If you notice any problems, start organising a fix right away.

What to do

Keep an eye out for:

• leaking taps
• dampness or water stains around fixtures or water systems
• corrosion or rust on pipes
• patches of dust or dirt left behind by a pool of water that has since dried
• wood rot or mould
• calcification at the base or body of taps, which can cause leaks, or
• signs of damage or wear on your flexi-hoses.

How often: Every six months. Check more frequently if you live by the coast, as the saliter air affects plumbing.

Back to top

Clean your roof gutters and downpipes

Your gutters direct water away from areas where it could pose problems. Keep them clear of blockages and ensure they’re working well.

Keep in mind that debris in your gutters can fuel fires during bushfire season. Just another reason to take care of it as soon as possible.

What to do

Keep an eye out for:

• Clear away debris such as leaves, moss, or plant material.
• Check for any damage, holes or rust in your gutters and downpipes.
• Ensure that gutters and downpipes are securely in place and not loose or falling.
• Arrange for repairs or replacements if any damage is found.

How often: Every six months. More often if there’s lots of vegetation nearby, and in the lead-up to bushfire or storm season.

Back to top

Inspect and maintain structural integrity

While you can watch for signs of potential structural issues, a trained expert can identify problems that the untrained eye might miss.

What to do

Keep an eye out for any of the following:

• Cracks, sagging, or tilting walls or roof.
• Uneven floors.
• Gaps between walls, ceilings and floors.
• Foundation unevenness or signs of water damage to stumps.
• Wood rot, decay, or insect damage to supporting posts, beams and connections.
• Weak sturdiness and stability. Ensure all railings, steps and landings are securely attached and not wobbly or loose.
• Doors or windows that no longer latch or are difficult to open or close.

How often: Since changes happen slowly, set a yearly reminder or follow the advice of a professional.

Back to top

Waterproofing and seals in your bathrooms

Waterproofing and sealants deteriorate gradually. A few key areas to check are the grouting and silicone sealant around tiled showers.

If the grout isn't well-maintained, water can seep into and beneath the tiles, potentially causing them to loosen over time and resulting in more extensive damage.

What to do

• Examine and repair any deteriorated tile grouting or adhesive.
• Uneven floors.
• Inspect and arrange replacements for worn-out sealant around taps, baths, showers, sinks, and windows.
• Examine the floor near your shower bases – water, especially away from the shower entrance, might indicate a waterproofing problem.
• Look for any inaccessible mold behind silicone sealants. If you notice any, consider seeking professional assistance.

If you discover or suspect damage to the waterproofing, contact a professional as soon as practical.

How often: At least oncer a year.

Back to top

Check for pests

Termites, ants and rodents can inflict significant damage if left unchecked. Without regular pest control, foundations, walls and floors may suffer damage, leading to structural issues.

Beyond the risk to your home, there are potential health issues that may arise due to vermin infestation.

What to do

Keep an eye open for:

• Mud tubes inside and outside the house – used by termites to avoid drying out.
• Scratches, gnaw marks, or droppings inside and outside the house.
• Power short-circuiting – a sign of chewed wires.
• Nesting.
• Cracked paint or plaster on your walls – this may indicate termites have established a new home.

You probably get it by now - if you spot any of these signs, contact a professional immediately to prevent further damage.

How often: Every six months or as advised by a professional.

Back to top

Check your home for mould

Mould can signal hidden water damage or moisture issues, especially in less ventilated areas of your home.

Keep an eye open in areas like the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry where steam and limited airflow create an ideal environment for mould to grow.

What to do

Check for:

• damp, dull, or musty smells
• allergic symptoms or health issues when in the home
• dark tile grout
• discoloured walls or ceilings, and
• moisture under all sinks.

Be cautious, as breathing in mould can be harmful. If the problem lingers after a surface-level cleaning, you may need to contact a professional for deeper treatment to the affected areas.

How often: Every six months, but always keep an eye out.

Back to top

Fix any damage to your walls, floors, and ceilings.

Whether from everyday wear or the occasional impact, walls handle a lot in busy homes.

Patch and repair things like broken plaster and dislodged bricks. Protect these areas so they don’t cause bigger problems.

What to do

• Check your home for holes and cracks in walls, floors and ceilings.
• Seal all identified holes and cracks to keep out elements like wind, rain and pests.
• Routinely inspect your floors for problems like protruding nails, warped floorboards or low spots.
• Promptly repair any floor damage to eliminate trip hazards and prevent injuries. This also helps protect you from potential liability if someone is injured on your property.

How often: Every 12 months, but always keep an eye out.

Back to top

Regularly examine the surroundings of your home.

If there are nearby trees, they might cause damage to your roof and gutters. Debris from trees can become fuel for fires.

Pay particular attention to areas with insufficient drainage around your home, as standing water can penetrate your property and lead to issues with foundations and house supports.

What to do

• Inspect the perimeter of your home for branches or foliage hanging over.
• Ensure water drains away from buildings during rainfall.
• Trim or remove trees close to your home.
• Look for uneven lawn patches, raised or sunken pathways or driveways, and trees growing unevenly or tilted. These signs may indicate tree root damage.

Be aware that tree roots can cause underground pipe leaks and foundational damage. It’s a good idea to contact professionals before any damage occurs, so make sure you keep an eye out for those gradual changes.

How often: Every twelve months before storm or bushfire season as a part of regular landscaping upkeep.

It’s not just the main house on your property that needs to be kept in a good condition and well maintained – if you have other buildings or structures on your property, check those as well.

Back to top

Read more:

• The impacts of water damage at home
• The most common Suncorp Home and Contents Insurance claims
• How to make a storm damage home insurance claim

Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement before making a decision about this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.