There are all sorts of home improvement projects that you can procrastinate about for years, but there are other essential home maintenance tasks that you should never ignore – particularly if you want to keep your homeownership costs affordable.
A strip of peeling paint on the living room wall probably isn’t a huge issue, but what if that paint has started to peel because of a leak in the attic? Sometimes it’s not immediately obvious that a seemingly innocuous problem is actually just the tip of the iceberg.
A puddle in your yard could be a sign of bad drainage around the house. A leaking faucet might be a partner to a bigger leak that’s started to create a small lake underneath the sink or cabinets. Small problems aren’t always the sign of an impending catastrophe, but it’s always a good idea to inspect minor changes in your home, even if they don’t seem important.
Bugs, Rodents, & Holes in the Walls
Just about every homeowner will see a rodent at least once in their home at one time or another, and it’s quite common to see bugs like ants and spiders around the house, too. However, a single rodent like a mouse could be a sign that there are holes in the house that need to be patched up.
HGTV shares this about inspecting your space:
“Check places like exhaust vents, condensate lines, pipes, ducts, utility access panels, and garage doors — you’re looking for obvious gaps, signs of chewing or nesting, or ripped screening.”
Small rodents probably don’t seem like they’d create too much havoc in your home, but some droppings from animals like mice, as well as birds, can cause health problems.
Warped Floors & Sagging Boards
Sagging floors tend to occur over time because of the natural settling that occurs inside your home; however, a warped floor can also be a sign of some deeper issues. Over a hundred years, a house will definitely settle, and some of the floors may actually start to run to one side as if the house was sliding down a hill.
But warped floorboards (and even walls or ceilings) can mean there’s a leak somewhere in the house. If you have a crawlspace under your home, it’s worth taking a look throughout it to make sure that there aren’t any leaks in the pipes throughout the home.
Further, you may want to take a look at all the fittings, fasteners, and other visible plumbing pieces that are installed throughout your home. If you’re particularly worried about a warped floor, wall, or ceiling, an inspection by a plumber or professional wouldn’t hurt.
Missing Shingles on the Roof
Time, weather, and the environment wreak havoc on your roof every year, and you’ll eventually need a new roof whether you take care of it with yearly maintenance or ignore it until leaks occur. Unfortunately, missing and dislodged shingles can occur whether you’re good or terrible with yearly roof maintenance.
It’s a good idea to inspect your roof at least once a year with a fine-tooth comb (a professional comes in handy here), and it’s also important to give your roof an inspection whenever there is a severe storm that features wind, hail, or incessant rain. Even the bright sun of the summer can cause aging of your roof that may require some spot treatments and fixes over time.
Remodel your Home with Gettum Associates, Inc.
We’re a full-service home remodeling company that can help you with every facet of your summer, spring, winter, or fall home remodeling project, from design and planning to execution and completion. Let us bring our expertise in design and remodeling to help you create a dramatic and beautiful exterior for your home.
Call us at 1-317-888-5681 for more information on our services, as well as to discuss your home remodeling project and how we can help. Plus, if you’re ready to get started on a renovation project, you’ll want to download our guide: Seven Questions to Ask When Choosing a Remodeler in the Indianapolis Area.
