5 Urgent Home Repairs You Should Never Put Off
As a homeowner, there are so many tasks you have to do when it comes to maintaining your home—from small problems such as the build-up of leaves in your gutter, to other bigger concerns like the malfunctioning of your heating and air conditioning systems. These are the things you have to deal with at some point if you want your house to last long. That said, energy bills will be higher than usual if you decide to put off the ones that are needing immediate attention.
Those are only some of the impending house problems you shouldn’t disregard. Whether it’s for your home’s aesthetics or functionality, these are the home repairs you should look into. Otherwise, what could’ve been a minor concern will escalate into a bigger and more costly home renovation in the future.
With that in mind, here are five home repairs you should never put off:
1. Caulk And Leakage Repairs
Over time, your home’s caulking wears out. As small as this may seem, it’s the top key factor that can contribute to preventing big and expensive work in the future. In fact, caulking is one of the best ways to prevent any damage caused by water to your home’s plumbing system. Caulking is as easy task that you can do on your own.
As for leakage problems in your PVC pipes, it’s always best to call for a professional plumber who will help you get them fixed. You can find a 24-hour emergency plumber near St. Louis, Missouri if you want to get the best plumbing service available when you need it.
Do this at least twice a year: thoroughly inspect your home to see if there are any leaks that could be a sign that your caulking may no longer be in good condition.
2. Crack Sealing
Are your concrete walls showing any cracks? Even a small crack could hurt your house’s structure, foundation, and value. To address this problem, you can start by inspecting your home’s exterior to check for any cracks and other signs of movement. Then, assess how your doors are also shutting. If they no longer close as properly as they used to, then it means your home’s foundation may have moved.
When the cracks are already wider than 3/16 inches, then call a tradesman to seal it. This is a job best left to the professionals.
3. Replacement Of Vent And HVAC Filters
Your home’s vent and HVAC will work for as long as they both get regular maintenance checks. Depending on how dirty it gets, your HVAC and vent filters need to be well cleaned at least once a month or once every two to three months. In addition, they also have to be replaced once in six months or once a year.
This is very important for you to do as dirty and inefficient HVAC filters have drastic effects on your home and health. As to your home, your utility bills may soar high. You may notice you’re paying more than your regular monthly bill. As to your health, dirty filters can lead to dust and molds build-up which can cause allergies.
4. Fix Your Decks
A home deck is one of the parts of a house that is exposed to harsh weather conditions. If you notice that your deck’s wooden floor is starting to rot, then you need to have it fixed right away.
Wooden decks that are exposed to the sun are most especially susceptible to rotting and deterioration. The effects of damage aren’t just limited to the aesthetics of your home. Rather, it can also go as far as possibly causing danger to others. When your home deck rots, the structure on it can become unsafe.
Check your decks at least once a year to be sure they’re still in good condition. If there are any problems and loose nails, have them inspected by a professional immediately.
5. Repair Your Gutters
The more trees you have near your property, the faster it is for your gutters to get filled with debris. This is where it becomes highly important for you to pay close attention to them. You should have your gutters cleaned and repaired at least twice a year.
In relation to keeping the foundation of your house well-maintained, you must ensure that your gutters are free from any form of blockage. When you leave your gutters uncleaned, the rainwater will seep from your roof directly to the ground. When too much water gets absorbed by the soil, it could weaken the foundation. If your gutters are clean, water will be directed away from the area where your foundation is located.
Conclusion
Because you already know the tips above, you have to remember that putting off home repairs like the ones mentioned can set you up for a disaster in the future. Lingering issues in the house, even the minor ones can easily escalate, if you don’t pay any close attention to them. The last thing you want is to be faced with the possibility of an expensive home repair that could’ve easily been preventable. If any indication of damage starts to emerge, give them attention ASAP. Don’t put them at the bottom of your to-do list.