Understanding wear and tear

As you go about your daily life at home — cooking, washing, and simply living — things inevitably wear down or break due to aging, regular use, and exposure to the elements. This natural deterioration is called 'wear and tear'.

Know what to look for

Set up routine checks to look out for cracks, rust, loose tiles and leaking pipes. Wear and tear comes from regular use and exposure to the elements.

Adopt helpful habits

Some simple actions can help to reduce wear and tear, like applying weather protectant on external doors and cleaning your rangehood to avoid grease build-up.

Address the issues

If you notice things that need fixing, don’t put it off. Leaving minor repairs could end up costing more later. Speak to a professional to get things fixed.

Prevention is better than cure

Regular home maintenance is essential to prevent wear and tear from causing damage, similar to regular car servicing to avoid breakdowns. We don’t cover claims for damage caused by wear and tear. For example, if a crack in your roof tiles causes a leak that goes unrepaired, resulting damage will not be covered by your home insurance.

Home or apartment? We’ve got you covered.

Look for these icons to determine if the Health Check step is needed for a home or apartment.

Wet Zones

We’ve put together some common issues to look out for and actionable steps you can take to prevent them. Remember, if it’s something you can’t fix yourself, get the help of an expert.

Failing or lack of sealant

What to look for
Check the silicone sealant, especially around the base of the shower and around the basin, to make sure it isn’t separating from the tiles or sink.

What to do
If you find sealant damage, call your local tiler or plumber to reseal the affected areas.

Deteriorated grout

What to look for
Check your grout for any mould, damage or deterioration, including gaps or chips in the grout.

What to do
Clean your tiles and thoroughly remove any mould. If you find any damage, call your local tiler or plumber to regrout the affected areas.

Leaking plumbing and pipes

What to look for
Check for any leaks under the sink and around taps, toilets and shower heads.

What to do
If you find signs of a leak, call your local plumber to fix the issue before it becomes a bigger problem.

Recap: Wet Zones

What you can do to help maintain wet zones:

Check plugs and drains for cracks or blockages, and taps for leaks
Dry off wet surfaces and ensure proper ventilation
Use extraction fans when using hot water

When to speak to a professional:

Problems with sealants, cracked tiles or grout
Leaking taps, blocked drains or water flow issues

Living

We’ve put together some common issues to look out for and actionable steps you can take to prevent them. Remember, if it’s something you can’t fix yourself, get the help of an expert.

Surface damage

What to look for
Check for bubbling or fading paint, dents, scratches or scuff marks on walls and floors.

What to do
If you find structural damage, call your local builder or handyperson to fix the affected areas.

Windows and seals

What to look for
Check your windows for signs of damage, such as drafts, condensation between panes, or challenges with closing and locking them securely.

What to do
If you find any damage, call your local window fitter or handyperson to repair your windows and seals.

Recap: Living

What you can do to help:

Gently close windows, doors, cupboards and drawers
Use rugs in entryways and corridors to protect floors
Use curtains or blinds to minimise sunlight that fades paint

When to speak to a professional:

To fix or replace fixtures
Issues with lifting carpets or nails

Outdoor

We’ve put together some common issues to look out for and actionable steps you can take to prevent them. Remember, if it’s something you can’t fix yourself, get the help of an expert.

Overhanging branches or shrubs

What to look for
Check for overhanging trees or shrubs that are dead, diseased, warped or growing too close to power lines or your home.

What to do
Trim trees and shrubs regularly with caution. While small trees and shrubs are manageable, call an arborist to trim taller trees and branches near power lines.

Water draining and pooling

What to look for
Check for signs such as water pooling around your home’s foundation, slow drainage, or unusual sounds like gurgling from drains.

What to do
If you have concerns, call your local plumber to fix the issue before it gets worse.

Clogged drains and gutters

What to look for
Check for signs of slow drainage, water backup, visible debris, and overflowing and sagging gutters.

What to do
Check your gutters regularly for debris build-up and ensure they are clean and kept clear.

Broken roof tiles

What to look for
Check your roof for broken tiles, paying attention to visible cracks, missing pieces, or signs of water leaks.

What to do
If you spot any signs of damage, get in touch with your local roofer to fix it before it gets worse.

Recap: Outdoor

What you can do to help:

Trim overhanging trees and shrubs routinely
Arrange for regular termite checks and pest protection
Check your gutters for a buildup of leaves and clean them regularly

When to speak to a professional:

Pest concerns like termites
Broken tiles or cracks on the roof
Leaks, cracks or salt build-up and other drainage issues

Why home maintenance matters

Maintain your insurance cover

Keeping your home watertight, structurally sound, well-maintained, secure, and in good repair can help keep you covered by your home insurance.

Ensure the safety of your home

Implementing regular home maintenance practices can help make your home safer, like installing new locks to help prevent theft, and cleaning out gutters to minimise fire damage or leaks.

Help prevent expensive damage

By addressing small problems quickly, you can help prevent more damage and avoid expensive emergency repairs. For example, it’s cheaper to fix a leaking tap than a burst pipe.

Enhance the value of your home

You might not be in the market to sell today, but keeping on top of minor repairs and home improvements could improve the value of your home.

Begin your home Health Check today

To help you stay on top of wear and tear around your home, print out this checklist and tick off each action as you complete the tasks.

Download

To learn more about wear and tear, what’s covered and not covered, read the Product Disclosure Statement for your policy. You can also check the policy booklets page on the NRMA Insurance website.

All content is intended to be general in nature and does not constitute and is not intended to be financial or professional advice. While NRMA Insurance has tried to ensure this website’s accuracy, you should not rely on any representation, statement or information on this website without first making your own enquiries about the accuracy and reliability of the information provided. NRMA Insurance does not accept any liability for the information provided on this site or for loss or damages resulting from reliance on the information contained on this site.
© Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 AFSL 227681 trading as NRMA Insurance. Insurance issued by Insurance Australia Limited trading as NRMA Insurance. This is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs (“your personal circumstances”). Before using this advice to decide whether to purchase a product, you should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations available from nrma.com.au.