Have You Done Your Home Repairs? Warning Signs to Watch Out For

Home repairs often seem to creep in when you least expect it and financially unprepared. Unfortunately, many homeowners fail to carry out proper home DIY or professional inspections and maintenance, which leaves them unaware of and unable to make necessary repairs when they arise.

As a result, the problem grows into a major issue further down the line and leads to hefty charges. It’s no secret that significant home repairs, particularly those involving your heating systems or plumbing, can be expensive to carry out. Before you know it, you are Googling “How to unblock a drain” after your bathroom floods.

Warning Signs That Indicate Your Home Need Repairs

Inside your home:

• Buzzing electrical sockets or flickering lights: These are tell-tale signs that something is wrong in your electrical wiring or connection. It could lead to a fire if not fixed.
• Damp ceilings: When damp patches appear on your home’s ceilings or walls, then either your roof is leaking, or your upstairs bathroom is clogged and does not drain properly. Immediate repairs are necessary before the damage becomes structural.
• An old boiler: Don’t ignore a boiler inspection if it’s over ten years old and has started showing old age signs. Well-maintained boilers can last up to 15 years, but others break down early for many reasons, including negligence.
• The kitchen sink drains slowly: Several reasons can cause a sink to clog, including grease and soap build-up, improper installation, or old drainage pipes. Fortunately, DIY maintenance is easy, especially if you know how to unblock a sink or prevent blockage.

Outside your home:

• Check your roof: Regularly inspect your roof from the outside for signs of damage, such as missing or broken tiles and shingles, water damage, or mould areas on the siding.
• Blocked gutters: Always check your gutters for damage at least four times annually. Also, remove blockages from water build-up, bird nests, leaves, and mud.
• Damaged windows: Damaged windows and screenings can cause unwanted bugs and drafts to enter your home or lead to a high heating bill.
• Overall exterior: Look out for paint chipping, holes in your bricks, and stained siding. Look around your home and yard, and note any repairs required to keep your property in pristine condition.

Reasons for Repairing and Maintaining Your Home

Below are some reasons for maintaining your home and carrying out timely repairs:

• Comfort: Replace features like plumbing and heating to prevent inefficiency, reduce your utility bills, and maintain your comfort levels.
• Value: A well-maintained home with regular repairs and improvements increases its value.
• Safety: Regular cleaning, inspection, repairs, and overall maintenance keeps your family safe from issues such as fire hazards, mould, respiratory illnesses, fall risks, or electric shocks.
• An Older Home: Older homes are at a higher risk of experiencing breakdowns and other problems.
• Cost-Effective: Prevent expensive repairs by making the necessary steps to prevent minor issues from becoming serious problems.
• Adapt to Seasonal Changes: Routine maintenance determines how well you adapt to seasonal changes. Energy conservation and temperature efficiency are essential when you heat and cool your home.

All in all, regular home maintenance is essential to maintain your living comforts, ensure your home remains in good condition, improve its value, and make repairs manageable. Regardless of whether you opt to hire professionals to carry out repairs or do them yourself, avoid waiting until an issue escalates to act.