With the warmer weather approaching many gardeners may be thinking of mulching or composting for their garden. While this is an excellent method of protecting plants from the harsh summer heat, having a large pile of mulching material in your yard may carry some risks. One of those risks is that of the pile self-combusting. While your California home insurance coverage may come to the rescue financially your home was to catch fire, prevention is always better than cure.
There are some things you can do to help minimize the chances of your compost or wood mulch combusting. Try not to have one huge pile but make a few smaller mounds instead. The heat generated within the center of a wood chip mulch mound can be extreme especially in the warmer months. The heat generated could cause the material to smolder and even ignite. Water down your piles if you are unable to spread them through your garden quickly enough, and turn it all over to release any heat buildup. Keep your piles well clear of your home if possible and have a safety break around it just in case.
Mulching and composting are great ways to look after your garden. Be sure to look after your home too by always having adequate California home insurance in place. Contact our office and speak to one of our agents for more information or to arrange a quote.
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