Preventing Most Expensive Home Repair

Even the most dedicated homeowners will, at some point, write a check much more extensive than they expected. And while no home is entirely invincible, there are warning signs to look for and measures you can take to help be more prepared to minimize repairs and costs—some of the most expensive repair items in your home.

Foundation Repair

Your foundation is the base on which your house is built. It can affect almost any other part of your home if it cracks, leaks, settles, or sinks.

Age, drainage problems, displaced soil, plumbing leaks, or poor construction can damage your foundation. Some early signs of foundation problems include cracks, subsidence, doors that no longer close easily, and windows that aren’t square.

Foundation repairs can be complicated, and if left on for too long, it can be costly (from a few hundred dollars for a minor repair to ten thousand dollars or more for significant damage).

Things you can do to help prevent problems are:

• Ensure proper drainage out of the house through graded slopes, underground drains, and drainage pipes exiting the foundation
• Plant shrubs away from the house so that water does not collect near the foundation
• Regularly check your foundation for signs of settlement, cracking, or shifting

>>> Read: Flood Insurance: What You Need to Know

Roof Repair

While a strong foundation is the basis on which every home is built, your roof is equally important. It provides cover and protection from sun, rain, snow, wind, and all the other elements Mother Nature can throw at you.

So, how long will your roof last? As with many things, “it depends.” The quality of the building materials, the expertise of the roofers, and the general climate and weather in your area all contribute to a roof’s lifespan, meaning it can last 20 years or 100 years.

Depending on your location, time of year, and repairs needed, costs can range from a few hundred dollars to fix a small leak to $15,000 or more to replace an entire roof—My house.

Here are a few things you can do now to avoid or minimize future payments:

• Have your roof inspected by a qualified roof tester approximately ten years after initial installation and then every 2-5 years after that
• Check your roof after major storms, especially if there are heavy hail
• Check the underside of your roof (in the attic) for signs of leaks, such as water spots, stains, or water in your attic
• Replace any missing or damaged tiles or shingles
• Make sure the areas around the vents, boots, and flash are sealed
• Make sure any drains on your roof are free of debris to keep water from pooling or backflowing

Water Heater

Aside from some weird people who like to take cold showers and wash all their clothes and dishes in cold water, water heaters are essential to our lives. While they can be easily overlooked while in operation, a little maintenance and TLC will help prevent the shock when heaters stop working or flood your home.

Repairs can cost around $500, and full replacements can cost $1,000 to $1,200, perhaps less if you’re skilled enough to do the installation yourself. Some signs you should have your water heater checked include loud or unusual noises (such as knocking or popping), cloudy or foul-smelling water, or you notice leaking water (especially rusty-colored water). Iron).

To keep your water heater in good working order, here are some preventive steps you can take:

• Drain tank once a year
• Check for cracks, worn fittings, etc., once a year
• Check the pressure valve periodically
• Locate and know how to use the water heater shut-off valve
• Keep the area around the fireplace well-ventilated so you can easily reach it

Air conditioning and heaters

In many parts of the country, you can’t live comfortably without air conditioning (we’re looking at you, Phoenix and Dallas!), while places like Chicago and Buffalo need heating to survive.

If you clean and maintain your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system properly, A/C units and home heaters will last 15-20 years. When it comes time to repair or replace, expect costs to range from a few hundred dollars to $8,000-12,000.

Some signs that your HVAC system needs inspection or repair are no (obvious) cool or hot air, noise from heaters or A/C, smelly air from them, or energy bills. Your volume spikes for no apparent reason.

The best ways to maximize the life of your HVAC system are:

• Check them annually to ensure refrigerant (A/C), capacitors, motors, fans, and compressors work properly.
• Clean the coils of dirt and debris
• Check your windows and doors for leaks and loss of heating/cooling
• Make sure your ductwork is sealed so you don’t lose heat/cool in your attic or basement
• Clean your air ducts every 2-3 years
• Change the filters in your home every 1-2 months

Termite

An often-quoted saying is, “There are two types of houses: those with termites and those that are about to have termites.” No one likes having bugs in their home, but termites can cause severe damage, so finding and fixing an infestation is important.

Termites can eat through wooden floors, walls, and furniture and cause thousands of dollars in damage. Signs that you may be infested include “hollow” or broken wooden floors or walls, pencil-wide mud tunnels leading to outer walls, and swarms of tiny flying bugs (or beetle wings). ) in your basement.

Termite treatment can cost as little as a few hundred dollars for an initial treatment around your home and up to $8,000 for a full house disinfection (and this does not include the cost of floor repairs, damaged walls, etc.).

Steps you can take to prevent termites (or at least keep the damage to a minimum):

• Keep wood and mulch away from the outside of your home
• Install the termite screen
• Check your home once a year

Water damage and mold removal

Water can cause wood rot, mold growth, and metal rust. Many costly home repairs come from water damage, which can be caused by external flooding, leaking or broken pipes, blocked drains or septic tanks, or damage caused by accumulated water over time.

Furthermore, water and humidity can cause mold, which causes all sorts of adverse health effects (especially for those with allergies) and can negatively affect the resale value of your home. Friend.

Signs of a problem include peeling paint, “faded” walls or ceilings (which can be mold or mildew), musty odors, and small black spots on walls near water heaters, basement windowsills, The back of washing machines, and dishwashers, are familiar places for mold. It can be found.

Both water damage and mold removal can be expensive, depending on the extent of the damage and to correct the actual point of leak or ingress of the water. Water damage by itself can range from $1,000-4,000, while the average mold removal is $1,100 but can go up to $4,000 in severe cases.

If you can prevent water from entering and spoiling, you can avoid mold. So here are a few things you can do to keep the inside of your home dry and minimize the chance of mold:

• Keep your gutters clean
• Fix leaks in your pipes or roof immediately
• Install a sump pump in your basement and have it checked every year
• If your basement is still wet, use a dehumidifier
• Insulate your pipes during the winter if you live in a place that frequently freezes
• Remove tree roots near sewage pipes
• Check and replace/upgrade your washing machine hose
• Use a fungicide in the bathroom
• Hire a professional mold tester to check your home periodically

Electrical repairs

Like fire, electricity can be a good servant but can cause severe damage if left unchecked. So, if you start having electrical problems, hiring a qualified electrician is important to help diagnose and fix the problem.

We’re not talking about simple things like installing ceiling fans or light switches but situations that put your home at risk of fire if left untreated. Signs that you need to have your electrical system checked are frequent blows on a circuit breaker or fuse, your appliance is shocked, or lights are flashing.

Fixing electrical problems can be as simple as replacing a specific breaker or replacing an entire breaker box to rewire an entire house, with prices ranging from a few hundred dollars for minor repairs to $10,000 or more to rewire a house, depending on size.

Precautions you can take include:

• Have an electrician inspect your home at the first sign that you suspect a problem
• Install GFI outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, or anywhere they may come into contact with water or liquids
• Hire a qualified electrician or handyman to install items you’re not comfortable doing

Septic system repair

If you’re using a septic system and it’s failing due to a blockage, then you’re likely to have a big, messy problem that requires fixing the septic system and anything the equipment backs up.

If you notice your system is running slow or giving wrong commands, check it immediately. Septic system repairs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. If you have to replace the entire tank, prices range from $3,000 to $10,000, so it’s best to spot potential problems early.

Things you can do to prevent the problem are:

• Ask for septic tank maintenance or another professional to inspect the sump every three years
• Pump your septic system every 3-5 years
• Annual tank cleaning
• Use a drain filter to capture hair in the bath and shower
• Don’t let your laundry or dishwashing liquid get into your septic system

It is always better to be safe than sorry. However, even with precautions, wear and tear is inevitable, and unforeseen events may occur. You can save yourself from costly home repairs by performing regular maintenance and keeping your home in good condition for many years to come.