Sometimes, owning a home can make you long for the conveniences of renting. The sump pump goes on the fritz. Your basement floods and you worry about your foundation. However, you can’t merely call the landlord for help.
That’s why you need to protect your investment by getting proactive with household repairs. Performing routine maintenance tasks will prevent more sizable headaches in the future. Plus, your home is likely your most substantial investment — protect it with these tips.
Inspect Your Foundation
If your foundation gets shaky, your entire home could crumble. While this threat typically applies to older homes built before the 1930s, conditions such as frequent flooding can cause damage more quickly. While repairs often cost between $15,000 and $35,000, some range as high as six figures.
Inspect your foundation twice per year by walking the perimeter of your home and looking for any cracks wider than a dime. If you locate any, contact a professional for an evaluation. When frequent floods occur, call a reputable service company instead of slapping on a coat of waterproof paint or installing a vapor barrier. These don’t allow your foundation to breathe, and they can lead to the development of toxic mold.
Test Your Garage Door
Garage doors cause multiple injuries every year, including some deaths. If you find yourself asking, “Why is my garage door so noisy,” chances are, you have a problem. Rattling noises, for example, can indicate loose nuts or bolts that can cause the lifting mechanism to malfunction.
Inspect your garage door and lifting mechanism every six months. Tighten all nuts and bolts and look for bent tracks. Make sure the chain is in place and that all moving parts have sufficient lubrication.
Maintain Your HVAC System
If you use inexpensive fiberglass filters, you need to change them every 30 days, so perform maintenance when you pay your mortgage. Combining the two makes it a breeze to remember. If you use more expensive folding filters, you can change them as infrequently as every six months, but do so more often if you have pets or smokers in your home.
Check your condensing unit at the end of each season, as these can become clogged with leaves and grime. Also, check your evaporator coil’s drain line and pan, and remove any algae or mold that accumulated.
Keep Your Plumbing Lines Clear
A burst pipe or, worse, a clogged sewer line, can cause significant damage — think nasty volcanoes erupting from your toilets. Never flush anything but toilet paper. This rule includes wipes and paper towels, which won’t break down in your sewer line or septic tank and can lead to backups.
If you have to leave your home in the winter, and you live in a cold climate, insulate your pipes first. It’s also a good idea to let your faucets drip to prevent freezing. While this may run your water bill up a notch, it’s a fraction of the cost of a burst pipe.
Eradicate Common Pests
You might think ants and roaches only pose a problem around food, but some pests can destroy your home. Carpenter ants, for example, can eat away at your drywall and studs. Use boric acid where you see tracks and on tops of cabinets. Roaches and ants crawl through the poison and take it back to the nest where it kills the colony.
If termites are a problem, you may need to call a professional. Depending on your jurisdiction, local laws may mandate a termite inspection before you can sell.
Clear Your Gutters and Tend Your Roof
If your gutters get clogged, water can back up on your roof or flow between your drywall, causing water damage and mold. Clean them out twice per year, and wear a hard hat and protective gear if you must use a ladder to do so. While you are up there, inspect your roof for any damage. It’s far less expensive to repair a few broken tiles or shingles than to redo the entire thing if water damage spreads.
Test Your Sump Pump
If your basement tends to flood, a sump pump can keep the water from damaging your foundation. Test your sump pump
