Home Issues That You Shouldn’t a Wait to Fix

Regular home maintenance is a natural part of homeownership. It can be tempting to put it off, especially since it can be quite expensive, depending on the task at hand. That would be unwise though. Regular maintenance is what keeps you from having to perform bigger repairs down the road. Additionally, some home issues are ones you really shouldn’t ignore or wait to fix.

Pest Invasions

You may not be the only one who likes living in your house. Human homes tend to be warm and have ample supplies of food and water. This makes them incredibly attractive to a variety of pests. The fact that homes are often constructed out of wood only furthers their appeal to wood-eating pests. If not dealt with in a timely manner, pest invasions can quickly get out of hand. If you catch the infestation quickly enough, you may be able to handle it yourself. Otherwise, you’re going to have to call professional pest control services for reinforcements. If pests are a big problem in your area, it might be worth considering having a pest control company come and spray your house to discourage pests on a regular basis.

Electrical Damage

Allowing electrical damage to go unrepaired puts you at an increased risk of house fires. This damage might occur due to a rodent infestation, since rodents like to gnaw on cord exteriors. It could also just happen as a result of normal wear and tear. Regardless of the reason, it’s still dangerous and needs to be addressed. If the problem is an extension cord or adapter cable for an electronic device you can easily replace, you may be able to handle this yourself. If there is any doubt whatsoever about your ability to safely handle the problem, call an electrician. This is one area where taking a better safe than sorry approach to DIY projects is always going to be the better idea.

Plumbing Issues

Plumbing issues are another area where you may be better off calling for professional assistance. Depending on the extent of the problem, you may be able to fix it yourself as long as you have the right tools and parts. If it’s a major problem though, you’ll need extra help. Plumbing issues can be expensive, but resist the temptation to neglect fixing them. At best, you’ll have a slow leak that increases your water bill. At worst, you could end up with major flooding that will necessitate far more costly repairs on top of the plumbing you’ll need to fix anyway.

Leaky Roof

A leaky roof is a sure path to water damage in your home. Like all maintenance problems, it only gets worse if you ignore it. Given enough time, you could end up with the roof collapsing in, further compounding the damage you’ll have to fix. Again, you’re probably better off calling a professional. You may not be able to identify where the leak is coming from on your own, and doing so accurately may require a more complete knowledge of roofing anatomy than you have. They’ll also be able to tell how extensive the damage is and how much you’ll need to repair. You might not have to completely replace your roof if your roofing material is new. Where the damage actually is will also impact how much you need to replace.

Flooding

Flooding is a huge problem that you absolutely can’t ignore. It can do immense amounts of damage to your home, causing the need to tear out and replace flooring, walls, and even ceilings, depending on where the flooding occurred. Flooding can also promote mold growth, further compounding the damage to your home. Your approach for dealing with flooding will be somewhat dependent on the reasons the flooding happened. You’ll need to take different measures depending on if it’s white, grey, or black water.

Foundation Damage

Foundation damage can compromise your home’s structural integrity. This can make your home unsafe to live in when it gets bad enough. It can also be the cause of other damage to your home. You may notice cracks in your walls, uneven floors, and doors and windows that stick or don’t close quite right. Foundation damage can happen as a result of overexposure to water, natural disasters, or even just poor compacting in the construction of your home. Take steps to repair any damage and prevent it from happening again in the future.

Chimney Maintenance

Few things are as cozy as lighting a fire in the fireplace and cuddling up close with a blanket. If you have a fireplace and a chimney, regular maintenance is a must. Over time, flammable creosote builds up in the chimney’s interior, posing a serious fire hazard. Other debris has a tendency to make its way into the chimney as well, including small animal nests. All of these things are flammable and can cause devastating chimney fires. Have a professional chimney sweep come to your home annually and clean out and inspect your chimney before you light it up for the first time this season to reduce your risk of a chimney fire.

Loose Caulk

Caulk serves to seal areas of your home, preventing air and moisture from getting into places they shouldn’t. Caulking around your window frames can help reduce air leaks and insulate your home better. This can do good things for your HVAC efficiency and energy bill. Perhaps more importantly, though, is making sure that there isn’t any loose caulking in your bathroom and kitchen. This caulking is specifically to prevent moisture from getting into the nooks and crannies of these rooms and causing mold infestations and rot. If you notice loose or peeling caulk around sinks, backsplashes, toilets, or tubs, remove the old caulking and replace it to preserve your home’s appearance and protect it from damage.

Some home repairs need to be addressed in a more immediate fashion. As a general rule, ignoring the need to perform home maintenance tends to backfire, since the problems only ever worsen over time. Keep up with regular home maintenance to avoid more costly repairs later. This will help you keep your home in a condition that allows you to enjoy it to the fullest.

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