7 Home Repairs that Get More Expensive to Fix Over Time
7 Home Repairs that Get More Expensive to Fix Over Time
It's usually a good idea to budget before you do home improvements, but these guys will only get more expensive the longer you leave them.
Written by The Stay Sane Mom Staff | See Comments | Updated 06/19/2019
7 Home Repairs that Get More Expensive to Fix Over Time
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If you look around your home, you will probably see a ton of things that need to be done.
This can be daunting to say the least, but some jobs need to be prioritised over others because if you don’t, then you may end up with an even more expensive repair on your hands.
#1: Damp Basement
If your basement is damp, then this can lead to a huge range of issues at a later date.
You may find that you go on to experience mildew or even mould. This will cause your basement to smell and this is the last thing that you need. You can try things like grading the yard to encourage water to run away from the house or installing gutters and even downspout extensions. Anything it takes to keep the basement dry.
This is a big one because it can cause you to have major repairs (and major repair bills) in the future. Do your future self a favor and get this one taken care of ASAP.
#2: Rotting Deck
Wooden decks are very vulnerable to deterioration and rot. This is especially the case if the area does not receive a ton of sunlight. Sometimes you may have one section that is rotting, or a single board, but either way, rot is persistent, and it will also make your entire structure unsafe.
If the rails start to loosen as a result, then this can lead to even more issues that you might not be able to remedy.
If you want to stop this issue from getting any worse then you need to try and replace any boards that are rotting. A reciprocating saw may also be required to cut down the boards to the nearest joist. Composite decking can also be used to replace your existing boards. This won’t rot, and it is very durable too.
If you want to stay with wood, then make sure that you cut back any overhanging trees so that your deck can get as much sunlight as possible. This will discourage rot in the future.
#3: Clogged Gutters
Leaves, twigs, rocks and any other debris can clog up your gutters. When you have a storm, the water will spill out over the top and it can also freeze this way. When this happens, it can then leak into the basement or it may even cause the gutters to swell. If you want to stop this from becoming a huge expense, then you need to get your gutters cleaned out once or even twice a year. This will help to keep it free from debris and it will also help you to stay on top of your home maintenance.
#4: Water Spots
Water spots are bad news.
If you have them showing up on your ceiling or on the wall, then this could mean that you have a leaking pipe. If your water spot is constantly present, then you may find that this is a plumbing issue. If it only shows up after rain, the problem most likely lies with your roof siding or window. Leaving this issue unfixed will only encourage mould, and you may even find that you have to paint over it too.
The toughest part of getting this job done is tracking the source of the leak. Water tends to travel and this can make it hard to find out exactly where it is coming from. (Trust me, we had pinhole leaks in our house before we even moved in!)
To get around this, cut a hole in the plaster or even in the drywall right where the water spot is. If you see piping, you need to repair the leak. If not, do some detective work and find out if there is missing caulk or damages. If you are having a roof issue, look into a roofing company (like this roofing repair company) or some other professional. Don’t try to get too fancy yourself.
#5: Termites
You should never delay dealing with termites.
They can do a huge amount of damage and they can also cause a great deal of structural damage too. They can do this in a very short space of time and you may even find that they reduce the value of your property too. If you want to stop this from happening, then you need to hire an exterminator. When you do this, you will be able to count on them to help you get rid of the issue and you can also count on them to tell you about any repairs that need doing too.
#6: Broken or Peeling Caulk
If you have caulk peeling away, then this can cause you major issues.
You may find that caulk comes away on your bathtub, and that it also comes away on your backsplash too. Outside, it could happen on your window, door or even on the roof and walls. Caulk can look ugly when it starts to come away and you may even find that water infiltrates your home as a result. This can lead to rot and mould, not to mention that it can also stop you from being able to sell your home for as much.
The best thing about caulk is that it doesn’t require any special skills and it will only take you about an hour or two. If you want to get started with this then you need to use a utility knife to scrape away any old caulk that might be present. You then need to use some mineral spirit to clean the area, and put some new caulk down.
#7: Leaking Faucets
If you have a leaking faucet then you need to deal with this as soon as you can.
If you put this off, then you will be wasting water and you may even have a ton of annoying drips to deal with. You may even find that you spring a deeper leak in the system. If you want to avoid this then you need to replace the O-ring. Replacement kits are super cheap and when you know the brand of your faucet, you will be able to take care of this with ease.
Another issue that you might need to deal with is a leaking toilet. If you want to repair this then fill the valve inside the tank and replace the flapper. Kits can be purchased online to get this done too, so it’s super easy!
Go Forth and Fix!
It might seem like a pain in the neck, but these seven problems really do need to be fixed as soon as you notice them.
Especially when it comes to things with water, it's an absolute nightmare to fix a problem that has been building up for months. It'll be much more cost effective to fix a medium disaster now that a large disaster in a couple weeks or months, no matter how much time that gives you to save.
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About the Author
The Stay Sane Mom Staff
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Occasionally we post blogs that are a team effort from The Stay Sane Mom staff. Fear not, these are still up to our quality standards, they just don't come from any one person (rather the team at large). As my 4-year-old says, teamwork makes the dream work.