Looking to keep your home budget in a good space? If you are, you have to know preventative maintenance is a part of that process. Something that takes 30 minutes to check on now or one inspection or a few hundred dollars can save you tens of thousands down the road. In this list, we’e compiled what the experts consider the top three most important things in your home to keep your eye on to save yourself from a massive headache in the long run.
Your Roofing
Want to NOTÂ end up having structural damage? The roof would be where to start with that proposition. We rely on our roof each and every day to fend off the elements and we put a lot of trust in it too. It’s one of the easier problems to identify as well. There are different stages of roof damage that eventually lead to the most expensive outcomes.
Roof Damage Prevention
If you’re looking to maintain your roof, the best place to look is at the shingles. Shingle damage will eventually lead to a larger problem. When you’re examining your roof from afar see if you notice any missing, cracked, or curling shingles that may be out of place. If you have direct access to your roof look more closely at loose shingles. You should also be able to notice any moss buildup happening before it gets out of hand. All of these issues, if caught early, are simple fixes that won’t require thousands of dollars in repairs.
If you’ve already identified a leak in your house coming from the roof – well you missed the first level of prevention. From here, it’s important to look for any more leaks, damp spots, or discoloration in your walls or ceilings. You might be able to fix these leaks without any major repairs to the structure. If left too long you might be left with wood rot or a mold infestation.
Always be sure to inspect your roof after storms and experts recommend two checkups throughout the year with your naked eye. Professionals are recommended to do inspections on roofs over 10 years old for a more thorough assessment.
Your Plumbing
Looking to NOT put in the average $12,000 insurance claim from water damage in the following years? You better listen up. You don’t want a water bill that suddenly shoots up out of nowhere, i’ve experienced $400 increases from a toilet bowl brokenly running while I was on vacation! Plumbing issues have a lot of precursors that should be found through various means, yes one of them being your water bill
Plumbing Issues Prevention
Much like searching for roof leaks, plumbing leaks should be apparent visually or through smell. In fact, when you do your monthly roof leak inspection around your home you might as well do other inspections at the same time, including plumbing. Keep it simple, look under your sinks and around your toilets for any water buildup or leaks. You can use your hands to check for dampness or puddles. You should also test your toilets and sinks to make sure the water pressure is holding up. Low water pressure could be a sign of a larger issue. You should also look for signs of corrosion on piping. For copper pipes, look for turquoise spots of rust which could eventually sprout a leak.
Your Foundation
Catching foundational damage is going to be a headache one way or another, but the prices add up really quickly if you don’t act fast. Once you locate any damage, you’re probably still going to be paying over $1,000 for the fix – but if you don’t catch it – it can easily add up to tens of thousands of dollars or worse.
Foundation Damage Prevention
Foundational damage can be seen throughout your home in certain circumstances, cultivating in cracks and movements. For inspections you can check your foundational walls for any cracks, beyond that you can look over doorways or windows, or corners of your rooms. Cracks manifest themselves in a widening fashion and need immediate attention for a further diagnosis. If you’re also noticing your doors are suddenly jamming because they’ve shifted, this can be an early warning sign too.
Water damage around the exterior of your home is going to be the main culprit for foundational damage. Buildup from gutters can quickly resolve into damage to the concrete. You don’t want any water accumulating so closely to your home. Always make sure water is piling up at least 10 feet from your home. If you do notice water pooling near the base of your home, look into solutions that may involve soil or installing new draining – trust us it’ll save you from a migraine.
