5 Expensive Home Repairs You May Need to Prepare For
As an adult, one of the main goals in most people’s lives is to own their own home. Unfortunately, the expenses of owning a home do not stop with the mortgage and bills. Things can (and will) break, and unexpected repairs can sometimes set you back financially. That is why it’s important to have a budget and money set aside for home repairs. Repairing issues in a timely manner will help maintain or even increase the value of your home. Below are five expensive home repairs that you may need to prepare for.
1. Foundation Repair
A foundation holds the house above ground, keeps out moisture, insulates against the cold and resists movement of the earth around it. Maintaining a home’s foundation is vital to the structural integrity of the house itself. Foundation repairs can be very costly.
Water pooling in your basement, sloping floors and doors that don’t fit their frames can all be signs of a foundation problem. The best way to prevent foundation issues from occurring is to keep water away from your foundation walls. Keep your gutters and downspouts free and clear of debris to ensure proper drainage. Proper grading is also critical, meaning the ground around the foundation should slope away from the house.
2. Roof Repair
The roof protects you and your home from the elements. If your roof show signs of leakage, or is missing shingles, it’s important to act fast. Roof repairs can add up quickly.
Having a professional home inspector inspect your roof periodically is a good way to stay on top of potential roof problems. A good timeline for inspection is 10 years after your home was built, or roof was installed, and every 3-5 years thereafter. You can also do your own inspection to see if there are any water stains on your interior ceilings, which could mean a leaky roof.
3. Termite Damage
Termites in your home can cause a lot of damage. Unaddressed termite problems can make your home an unsafe environment to live in. Getting rid of them and repairing any damage they may have caused can be very expensive.
If you see any mud-like tubes that line your walls in an irregular pattern, or hollow, decayed wood inside your house, this may be a sign that you have termites. It is best to immediately call your local exterminators at the first sign of termite problem. To keep termites away from your home, remove any dead trees and any other deadwood around your house. Seal gaps around exterior penetrations such as water and gas lines, as these can serve as access points for termites. Try to reduce wood to ground contact wherever possible.
4. Water Damage
Water damage in your home can be very costly. Not only can it cause structural damage, but it can also cause health problems, since water damage can lead to mold growth.
If you see signs of water damage you should address the problem quickly. Water stains, musty odors and mold are tell-tale signs that there may be a water issue. To prevent water damage to your house you should keep your gutters clear and free of debris and fix any known leaks right away.
5. Septic Tank Repair
A septic tank that is not working can be a big, stinky problem. The average cost of repair for this type of issue is around $1,500.
If your toilets and drains are clogged or backing up, your drains are draining very slowly, or if you have smelly, standing water near the septic tank, then you may have septic problems. The best thing to do is to call a professional. Don’t put repairs off. Have your tank pumped every 3-5 years to help prevent problems from occurring.
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