Hugo D. Disaster strikes when a windstorm blows through your neck of the woods. A strong gust breaks a tree branch off and hurtles it through your kitchen window. While nobody is hurt, you’re stuck repairing a window you had no intention of fixing. Can your family handle the $400 it takes to replace it?
Most Families Can’t Afford an Unexpected Repair
According to Angie’s List, the average cost of repairing a window is $392. However, it can fall between $174 and $611 depending on the size, type of window, and location in your home.
Having to pay roughly $400 you didn’t anticipate is hard. In fact, most Americans would have to borrow a cash loan or take out a line of credit to pay for these repairs. That’s because roughly 6 in 10 Americans don’t have savings set aside for emergencies.
If you’re in the same boat, you can visit a website like MoneyKey to learn about your potential cash loan options. Online cash loans may provide a convenient safety net in replace of emergency savings when you can’t ignore or delay sudden repairs.
When it comes to damage to your home, you can’t wait a second. That’s why a financial institution like MoneyKey offers quick and simple applications that you can fill out in no time.
Within minutes of sending it off, you’ll find out if you qualify. If you’re approved, you may receive your cash loan by the next business day so that you can take on these repairs as quickly as possible.
What About Home Insurance?
Most basic policies cover tree damage. However, you may not want to start a claim over something as small as a broken window. Your insurance company may take a long time to process your request, leaving your home in disrepair until they do so.
You may also have to pay a hefty deductible before they cover the rest of the repairs. Your claim can also increase your premiums, causing you to pay more each month for coverage.
While a cash loan can help ease the strain you feel in an emergency, prevention is the single best way to avoid the stress of an unexpected repair. Simple maintenance can help you spot and treat a broken limb before a strong wind rips it through the air and causes property damage.
Know the Signs of an Unhappy Tree
By now, a healthy tree will have buds breaking out all over its branches, if it’s not already in full bloom. By contrast, an unhealthy tree may have bald patches in its foliage where it’s not budding or flowering.
Empty branches aren’t the only clues that something is wrong. Keep your eyes peeled for these other warning signs:
- Fungus or mold
- Spotty, discolored leaves
- Severed or heaving roots
- Peeling, cracked, or loose bark
- A lack of bark altogether
- Soft wood around its trunk
- Cankers or other swollen pieces
- Excessive holes or cavities
- Broken or drooping branches and limbs
Call an Arborist at the First Signs of Illness
If you notice any of the issues in the list above, get in touch with an arborist from the Warner Tree Service or a similar service near you. They’ll be able to confirm your tree is sick and suggest solutions.
Sometimes, you can get away with a strategic DIY trimming to cut away the dead parts of the tree. However, if the disease or damage is extensive, you may have to remove the tree for the safety of your family and property.
You may consider a cash loan or sit down with your budget to see how to save towards this goal. Whatever you do, don’t ignore this task to save a buck. Diseased trees are more likely to fall down and cause significant damage to your home.
