Do not let maintenance around your home go by the wayside. Neglect can lead to costly repairs, with some household repairs racking up debts in the thousands or tens of thousands. Here are some to avoid:
- Water damage–particularly foundation repairs. According to House Logic, cracks that ultimately threaten the structural integrity of your foundation can result in repairs costing $10,000 to $40,000!
- Roof repairs. The extent of repairs varies, but removing old shingles, replacing rooftops, and fixing any damage inside your home ranges from $3,000 to $10,000.
- Replacing a faulty HVAC system. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are relatively inexpensive to maintain, but extremely costly to replace. If you are handy, the unit itself costs $1,000 to $2,000. A professional installation runs from $4,000 to $8,000.
These figures demonstrate just how important it is to perform regular maintenance around your home. Save hundreds–and even thousands of dollars!–with these essential house maintenance tips.
1. Stop Water Damage In Its Tracks
Just about 33% of adults purchasing diamond jewelry say they are ready to spend $1,000 or more. That might be a very different story if you are contending with water damages putting you back $10,000 to $40,000. Keep your options open and your budget in the green by preventing water damage in the first place.
To do that, attend to gutters and downspouts. These fixtures are there for a reason. That reason is to draw water away from your house. For optimal results, clean gutters a minimum of twice per year. Remove dirt, dead leaves, and twigs. Large debris can be removed with your hands (put on some gloves first) or a scoop. Flush remaining debris with water and a special attachment for your hose.
After high winds or heavy snowfall and rainfall, check to make sure gutters remain securely attached to your home. If you notice any loose gutters, fix them right away. This is necessary maintenance to prevent water damage.
2. Inspect Rooftops
You need to inspect your roof an absolute minimum of once per year, and roofs need replacing every 10 to 20 years, depending on where you live, weather conditions, etc. Extend the life of your roof by looking out for any signs of damage or wear. For example, roofs with asphalt shingles need repairs when shingles begin curling up at the edges. Search for any shingles that are missing or ripped. If you have a fireplace, take a moment to look at metal sheets securing and sealing chimneys and ducts to your roof. These metal sheets are called flashing, and they should be airtight and flush to rooftops without any noticeable gaps.
3. Invest in HVAC Maintenance
With regular maintenance, HVAC costs can remain reasonably low. Every six months, bring in professionals for routine maintenance, including “lubricating all moving parts, tightening electrical connections, clearing out the condensate drain in the air conditioner, checking the refrigerant level and cleaning any dirty coils or fixtures,” HowStuffWorks recommends.
Without regular maintenance, units will not run as well. That will raise your heating and cooling bills and ultimately shorten the longevity of your HVAC system.
Finally, use common sense to keep HVAC systems running at their best. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat in lieu of continually adjusting the temperature, which can put stress on your system. Don’t run units while windows and doors are open. A 2017 survey by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) found that the BBQ industry is steadily rising. It is important for you to remember to keep doors closed while running the AC, even if you have a house full of guests over for a BBQ.
4. Get An Energy Audit
An energy audit can save you a considerable amount of money. According to Energy.gov, a professional energy audit may lower bills by anywhere from five to 30%. What is an energy audit exactly? An energy audit consists of two parts: first, inspecting your house for leaks and energy loss and, second, running that information through analytical software for more detailed information. A typical audit may consist of a cursory, visual assessment, combustion appliance inspection, an exterior inspection, safety inspections, and a blower door test.
Once you have identified problem areas, it is important to take action. For example, among all households headed by adults 35 to 54, over 11% own an RV. One of the quintessential tips for owning and properly maintaining an RV is to regularly check and apply seals and weather-stripping. If air is escaping through doorframes and window frames in your home, it is similarly wise to invest in weather-stripping or–for houses–more durable, double-pane windows.
5. Give Your Hot Water Heater A Little TLC
Every year, about 13% to 20% of people pack up and move. One of the top concerns when moving into a new apartment building or house is the hot water heater. Make a point of cleaning out your hot water heater at least once per year. This prevents the buildup of sediment over time. By preventing sediment from building up, you can ensure your heater runs as efficiently as possible–keeping your hot water hot and your water bills low.
6. Take Stress Off HVAC Units With The Right Landscaping
Did you know that you can further reduce heating and cooling costs with landscaping? By simply planting trees and shrubs to minimize winds or strategically using climbing vines to insulate and shade houses in particularly dry and arid regions, you can dramatically lower heating and cooling costs. View the upkeep of these plants like any other home maintenance. Trees, shrubs, and vines are all relatively easy to take care of, especially given their savings potential.
7. Check Toilets And Faucets For Leaks
Keep water bills and costly repairs in check by identifying any water leaks in your home and fixing them straight away. Use food coloring to check toilets for silent leaks, or water that slowly leaks from the tank and is nearly undetectable. For faucets, pay attention if they are continually dripping, even if it is just a small amount. That amount adds up over time! Make sure to venture into guest bathrooms from time to time to check the faucets in there, too.
The average U.S. household has $8,398 in credit card debt. Keep your debts low and your savings in check with regular maintenance around the house!
