Keeping your home well-maintained is going to save you money and help you avoid catastrophic breakdowns. Most minor issues around the house can easily be taken care of as long as you catch them early on. Here is a look at four money sinkholes that every homeowner should keep an eye out for.
Leaking Pipes
Dripping faucets and leaking pipes might not seem like big problems, but they could end up costing you huge amounts of money over the course of a few months. In addition to wasting hundreds of gallons of water every year, a slow leak can also damage nearby materials and create the perfect environment for mold. Luckily, these days most leaky pipes can be fixed with special self-fusing pipe repair tape as seen in this video.
Other quick fixes involve (without solder) involve cutting the pipe and using either compression fittings or gatorbite or sharkbite plumbing connections.
An Older HVAC System
Your HVAC system probably uses more energy than any other appliance in your home, and damage to the furnace or air conditioner will cost you quite a bit every month. These systems should be serviced at least twice a year to keep them in peak operating condition. Doctor Fix-It says”Making sure your heater is safe and running efficiently is essential to your home’s comfort and health.” If the HVAC system is more than 15 or 20 years old, then it may be cost effective to consider replacing it with an energy efficient unit.
Damaged Insulation
Even if you have a high-efficiency HVAC system, your energy bills are still going to be unmanageable if your home isn’t properly insulated. You need to check all of the insulation throughout your home to make sure that it isn’t matted, moldy, or torn. Homeowners also need to seal up cracks around doors and windows to prevent heat transfer during the warmest and coldest months of the year. Because of the drastic effects of air infiltration, often for the cost of a couple of tubes of caulk you can reduce your heating and cooling bills by anywhere from $20 to $100 per month!
Pest Infestations
A few stray insects or rodents can lead to a major infestation within just a few weeks. These animals carry countless diseases, and many will burrow deep into your home’s walls to nest. Making sure that rodents and pests don’t have access to food and standing water is going to reduce your risk of an unpleasant infestation. You also need to schedule pest control services at least twice a year to have your property sprayed.
Preventative maintenance is much more affordable than comprehensive repairs, and that is why it is so important to regularly inspect every inch your home. Plumbing leaks, damaged insulation, and other minor issues could end up costing you thousands if you don’t stay on top of your maintenance.
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Image Credit: Free Digital Photos
