Owning a home is a great responsibility. Unlike in an apartment, you are the one responsible for all the repairs and maintenance, and all that work can eat up your time and money. Read below to know which home maintenance projects should be at the top of your list this fall to save money in the long run. Spend a little now or spend a lot later.
Money Saving Home Maintenance Projects
Gutters
Cleaning your gutter of leaves and other materials is a worthwhile chore. Clogged gutters will not allow water to drain properly. In the winter, the water will freeze and cause damage to your gutters and roof. In any season, the water may seep into the surrounding wood and be an invitation to mold, insects and rot. Don’t skip this one, since the lingering damage is not worth the cost.
Furnace
A furnace cleaning is another chore definitely worth the time and money. A clean furnace will help you heat your home more efficiently and save you greatly on home energy bills. It will also keep the air cleaner in your home. A clean furnace can also help reduce the risk of fire. Talk to an expert to see if you can do the work on your own, or if it is worth hiring a professional.
Leaky Pipes
Leaky pipes should be fixed promptly. A drain pipe under a bathroom sink will steadily rot the floor below it. The damage done to floors through by a dripping pipe will be difficult to notice at first, which will cause the damage to spread until a costly repair is in order. Take the time to check pipes under sinks and behind toilets for small drips now.
Faulty Electrical
A circuit should be checked if any fuse or circuit breaker blows or trips twice. Allowing faulty electrical to continue is a fire hazard. It could also damage your electrical equipment, or it may stop critical appliances from working when you need them most. Also, if you have an older home with knob and tube wiring, fixing faulty electrical circuits is especially important due to the increased likelihood of fire from the knob and tube system.
Insulation
Insulating an attic, checking for drafts around windows and doors, and other insulation issues are worthwhile home repairs. The resulting decrease in energy costs will provide hundreds of dollars in savings.
Anything broken in a home that can cause an accident should be replaced immediately. This includes items such as a shaky handrail on a porch, or a banister on the basement steps. Other examples would also include faulty smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Follow these home repair suggestions. You will be able to save money in the long run, protect your home, and keep you and your loved ones safe.
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Written by: Brooke Chaplan
