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Home repairs can often be costly, stressful, and time-consuming. But putting them off only tends to make things worse. Therefore, in this article, we’ll go over some of the essential home improvements that you absolutely cannot afford to delay.
Taking care of your home is part of being a homeowner and understanding what to do when something goes wrong can make all the difference. That said, if you find yourself with a long list of home improvement tasks or repairs, finding the time to do it all is probably not easy. Nevertheless, it is important to know what to prioritize and what can wait a little longer.
While many projects can be saved for a later date and time without causing too many problems, some items on your home maintenance to-do list simply cannot wait. Moreover, structural elements left in disrepair can be harmful to your safety and might even become more expensive problems in the future the longer you wait. Thus, to ensure this does not happen to you and your home, here are several home repairs you absolutely cannot afford to delay.
Before getting into the essential repairs that you should not delay, you should know that many homeowners have a tendency to put off repairs for a variety of reasons. But be that as it may, the top reasons typically include a lack of funds, failure to notice the issue, or an unexpected, and likely costly, repair pops up that insurance does not cover.
Though all of these are legitimate excuses, we all know what can happen if you continue to delay much-needed maintenance. So be smart about home repairs and devise a plan for how you will manage unforeseen improvement projects. Furthermore, you might even want to take the time to educate yourself about what can go wrong in your house, so you can allocate a budget for repairs and get the right insurance coverage.
Now that you know why repairs are usually delayed and what to do to ensure you are prepared, let’s go over several home repairs that cannot wait.
Concrete is resistant to most damage, but it may develop cracks and get weaker over time. Additionally, when it rains, water can flow into tiny cracks, wearing down the foundation, and making the crack bigger in the process. And if the water freezes, it can expand and result in more serious damage during the winter season. You will need to seek out concrete repair services to fix these small cracks, or otherwise, you will be spending tons of money just to replace the entire foundation.
Water stains on your walls and ceiling are a sign of a serious roof leak. You should repair a leaking roof quickly to avoid a host of more troubling problems. As briefly suggested, water damage can weaken your home’s foundation. But that is not all–the presence of moisture can also lead to mold and other hazardous conditions.
In this instance, if you see wires that pop out of small holes from your ceiling or walls, it is time to call a professional. Besides making your house look and feel neglected, old/improper electrical wiring is also a major fire hazard. This is especially true if you notice melted, corroded, or frayed wiring. If you plan on a DIY fix here, then make sure you properly assess the extent of the damage and determine how much of a risk fixing it yourself poses.
Mold, fungus, and mildew are all signs of excessive trapped moisture in your home. Not only is mold especially damaging to the structure of your home, but it is also harmful to your health–mold can cause a host of health problems. So do everyone in your house a favor and fix the problem to avoid the negative effects of long-term mold exposure. Note, fungus, mildew, and mold have a habit of showing up in unfinished basements; therefore, you might want to consider finishing your basement once you have solved your mold problem.
One or two pests around the house every once in a while is normal. However, if you find yourself feeling under attack, then more than likely, there is cause for concern. Here, if you do not eliminate pests immediately, you will give them a chance to multiply, which will eventually lead to a pest infestation. Not only is it gross, but it is also detrimental to your health since they bring with them harmful bacteria and diseases. So take your outdoor living space back and call pest control as soon as you notice one too many pests.
Last but not least, cracked walkways and driveways not only detract from your home’s curb appeal, but they are also often an accident waiting to happen. And since damaged or cracked areas tend to only get worse during the wintertime, this particular home repair cannot be left to languish. Thus, any damage you notice needs to be taken care of and hopefully before someone hurts themselves.
Ultimately, these are just a few repairs that you should take care of as soon as possible. That said, remember without regular home maintenance, even small problems can swell into expensive repairs. The good news is that you can ensure the beauty and durability of your home through routine care.
Plus, keeping up with home maintenance is the easiest way to protect your investment for years to come. Thus, it is highly recommended that you do not wait until it is too late. Instead, once you notice any of these issues arising in your home, get to work or hire a professional to help address these problems–so they do not become a bigger and more costly dilemma for you.
Are you curious about mortgages, or do you want to learn more about available home improvement/renovation financing? If so, Sammamish Mortgage can help. We are a local mortgage company from Bellevue, Washington, serving the entire state, as well as Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado. We offer many mortgage programs to buyers all over the Pacific Northwest and have been doing so since 1992. Contact us today with any questions you have about mortgages.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.