In a perfect world, everything would get fixed as soon as it breaks, but in real life, unless it is an emergency, most of us fail to see the reason for urgency. In some cases, this won’t particularly cause trouble other than being a mild inconvenience, and annoying as it might be, it is not hazardous. In other cases, however, ignoring the issue can lead to more serious situations. Not only can it grow into a bigger problem that is more difficult and, of course, more expensive to fix, but it can also make your home an unsafe environment and endanger you and your family. All of us would rather spend money on beautifying our homes than doing “invisible” repairs, but there are certain repairs you shouldn’t put off. Here are some of those to look out for.
Mold issues
If you have noticed mold growth in some parts of your home, such as the basement or the bathroom, but decided to deal with it later, think again. Some types of mold can be particularly dangerous, but even if you have your mold situation assessed and find out that that is not the case, it still doesn’t mean that you can just leave it as it is. While it is true that not all kinds of mold are equally dangerous, even the most common nontoxic type can compromise your health. So, to protect yourself and your family, if you notice signs of mold, get down to scrubbing it off. If a larger area is affected, call in professionals for good measure.
Roof problems
The roof is one of the most important parts of your house: it is what protects you from the elements, so you mustn’t neglect it if you notice any kind of change in its state. One of the most obvious signs that your roof needs to be repaired is missing shingles. If they are not replaced promptly, you can expect leaks that can cause a lot of damage to your property. For this reason, the roof should be inspected regularly so that you can react promptly. In addition to missing shingles, if you notice your shingles curling up or your roof sagging, those could be signs of moisture problems in your attic. This can not only weaken the structure of your roof, but can also be a breeding ground for mold. So, if you notice these changes while inspecting your roof, make sure you tackle the ventilation issue in your attic as soon as possible.
Clogged gutters
Similarly to your roof, your gutters play an essential role in keeping your home dry by directing the water away from it. This means that you should do your best to keep them healthy and functional. Removing the accumulated debris from them regularly is crucial. Here, too, doing it at least twice a year is recommended; once in the spring and once in the fall. In addition, it’s worth checking them after each bigger storm, the same as your roof and shingles. If you still notice any kind of damage, you should call someone to fix it as soon as possible, otherwise, the next big rain could lead to leaks and water damage.
Termite damage
Pests are annoying, that is certain, but termites are a whole other league on the danger scale. These pests can cause significant structural damage to a house in a very short amount of time and can make buildings unsafe and uninhabitable. This issue is quite pronounced in some parts of Australia, so if you are from Sydney, for example, make sure you keep your eye out and act as soon as you see the first signs. What you have to look out for are termite droppings, mud tubes, swollen floors, buckling wood and a smell similar to mildew. If you don’t deal with termites immediately, the repairs of the damages will cost you a fortune.
Plumbing issues
As you might have noticed by now, many of the urgent repairs have to do with water. Water is essential for life, but in your home, you want it to stay in the pipes. When you’re doing bathroom renovations, it’s worth going the extra mile and checking on the plumbing as a broken pipe can equal catastrophe in a household. If you notice plumbing issues when wet spots are already appearing on your walls or ceiling, you have to react immediately and call in local professionals who will attend to your problem promptly. So, if you’re from the Land Down Under, for example, find the best plumbers in Canberra who will solve the issue in the blink of an eye. Moisture can damage the structure of your home, not to mention cause mold growth, so there is no time to waste.
Cracks in the foundation
Another repair that you mustn’t put off if you notice the signs has to do with the very foundation of your home. It is natural that small cracks might appear in your foundation after some time, but you should deal with them to prevent them from becoming unmanageable. If they grow into large cracks, they can compromise the integrity of the structure and the repairs will be extremely costly, so don’t postpone dealing with this issue. If the cracks are left unattended, you might end up needing to replace the entire foundation, and you don’t want it to come to that.
Dirty filters
Finally, something that might not look like a pressing issue but can be both unhealthy and uneconomical at the same time is clogged, dirty filters that make the machines work harder and consume more energy, adding onto your electricity bills. Your HVAC system needs to be maintained regularly to avoid this situation and make sure the air quality inside your home is good. Better air quality will help maintain good health, too, so all in all, it’s something that you shouldn’t skip.
Nobody likes dealing with repairs – it’s annoying and expensive, in addition, often there are no “visible” results so you might feel like your money vanished into thin air. However, some repairs mustn’t be postponed if you don’t want to face larger issues down the line. Watch out for the aforementioned problems and make sure you tackle them immediately if any of them arises!
BIO:
Maggie Holmes is an Australian blogger who writes on fashion, technology, business, and home improvement. Her hobby is to surf the net to find amazing articles that can inspire her with some fresh ideas for article writing. She loathes being a common person who wastes her time. Follow her on Twitter.
