More states are reopening from COVID-19 lockdowns, which means more Service Contractors (repairmen) entering homeowners’ homes. With summer being the busiest season for systems and appliances repair and replacement, you may find yourself in need of a visit from a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW) Service Contractor. Here are some tips about what to expect and what you can do to keep everyone safe as we come out of our COVID-19 lockdowns.
What 2-10 HBW has done and continues to do for you
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began in March, 2-10 HBW has taken steps to protect you, our employees and the Service Contractors we send out to protect your home. Here are some of the things you can expect from 2-10 HBW and the Service Contractors we send to your home.
- We’ve requested that all active Service Contractors follow CDC guidelines related to COVID-19, including social distancing.
- We’ve asked the Service Contractors we work with not to send anyone out on calls who is sick.
We’re doing everything we can to promote good hygiene and safe social distancing, even as we continue to repair and replace systems and appliances. But if you’re looking to keep your home as safe and clean as possible as we visit, here are some ways to prepare.
Things to do before your repairman visits
Disinfect commonly used surfaces. Before your Service Contractor arrives, disinfect any surfaces that you commonly use. Doorknobs, sinks, faucets and toilets are good places to start. You can use soap and hot water, disinfecting wipes or a light bleach-and-water mixture to disinfect these surfaces.
You should also consider disinfecting surfaces around where your Service Contractor may be working. For instance, if you’re calling about a water heater breakdown, you might disinfect any doorknobs leading to the water heater, along with the water heater’s surfaces. You don’t need to disinfect the entire house, just the areas your Service Contractor may need to access.
Reschedule if you’re feeling ill. Take no chances. If you or someone in your home isn’t feeling well, please reschedule your visit. If your service call is an emergency and someone in your home is ill, tell the Service Contractor. Don’t try to hide it if someone isn’t feeling well. The Service Contractor can try to take extra steps to be safe, but only if you’re upfront.
Things to do during your visit
Wear your mask/facial covering. Whether your state requires a mask or not, you should wear facial protection while your Service Contractor is visiting. Even if you have no symptoms of COVID-19, wearing a facial covering is the right thing to do because it creates a safe work environment for the person protecting your home. Wearing a face covering protects your Service Contractor just as much as it protects you.
Keep your distance. Some homeowners like to chat with or hover around their Service Contractor as they work. Refrain from hovering during your Service Contractor’s visit. Keep 6 feet between yourself and your Service Contractor whenever possible. This will minimize the likelihood of getting anyone sick or of anyone touching the same surface. You can still be friendly and talk to your Service Contractor! Just keep your distance.
Ask questions. Feel free to ask your Service Contractor what they’ll do to keep the spaces they work in sanitary. Ask them what steps their company is having them take to protect you. (You can see what 2-10 HBW is doing here.) Ask them if there are any contact-free methods of payment so you don’t have to touch the same credit card, check or cash. As a professional guest in your home, Service Contractors will understand why you’re asking these questions. They want to be as safe as possible.
Things to do after your visit
Re-sanitize. Take care to sanitize the areas your Service Contractor worked. While your Service Contractor will do everything they can to sanitize the immediate area around them, you may want to take a few extra steps. This may include re-sanitizing things like light switches and doorknobs around where your Service Contractor worked.
Wash your hands. Before and after you sanitize after your Service Contractor leaves, wash your hands with soap and water. This is still one of the most effective ways to kill the coronavirus before it spreads.
Conclusion
As things begin to move more toward normal, 2-10 HBW is still taking extra precautions to protect you. These tips can help make your service calls easy and stress-free for all involved. Though it’s hard to know when this pandemic will truly end, we’re all taking steps toward that day. As we move forward, remember that 2-10 HBW has your back when your systems and appliances break down from routine use.
2-10 HBW offers the most comprehensive home warranty coverage for homeowners. Let us help you protect your home.
