GoKawiilYour home can be a worthy adversary in the battle of time suckage: Gutters need clearing, railings need securing and walls need painting. But the worst home maintenance of all is the invisible kind. The leaky pipe in the crawl space that silently betrays you while you're focused on increasing curb appeal.
It's not just that you don't want to do it. You probably don't, but anyone who's ever snaked a clogged drain knows the longer you wait, the messier the job gets. The good news? AI tools can give you a leg up, helping you use your elbow grease and rainy day fund wisely.
Here's how to use AI to keep up with home maintenance.
Take your insurance seriously
Homeowners insurance isn't just there to cost a fortune. Theoretically, you should be able to make a claim and recoup certain costs, but wading through the jungle of legalese and policy inclusions can tax even the sharpest of homeowners' minds.
AI tools can help you crawl your homeowners insurance policy for benefits you might be missing out on. I used Microsoft Copilot to review a 29-page standard policy in Ohio and generate an easy-to-reference breakdown of what those large homeowner payments actually cover.
Important documents such as homeowners insurance policies can be complicated, but an AI chatbot can help summarize them and point you to the parts you need to know. Just be sure to check what the AI says against the actual document. Copilot/Screenshot by CNET
I was surprised to find volcanic eruptions listed as covered damage in an Ohio insurance policy -- but anything is possible, I guess. The policy also covers damage from failing HVAC systems and spoiled food if the power goes out. That's good to keep in mind as we head into what's already shaping up to be a record-breaking heat season.
A chatbot can pull out any potential insurance programs that can help you with home maintenance. Copilot/Screenshot by CNET
The known unknowns
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