Don’t let the small home issues become a major problem. We’re sharing the most common home problems and why you need to get them fixed, asap!
Between 2015 and 2017, Americans spent approximately $449.5 billion on 113 million home improvement projects.
Do you have a project in your home that you need to tackle? Have you been putting it off out of fear for how expensive or time-consuming it will be?
It’s definitely tempting to do this. Remember, though, that the sooner you address these issues, though, the better off you’ll be.
If you feel overwhelmed by all the home repairs you need to handle, it helps to know which types of issues need to take priority.
Read on to learn about 8 home issues that you should get taken care of right away.
1. Overtaxed Electrical Wiring
If you have overtaxed electrical wiring in your home, you could be setting yourself up for a house fire. You may also experience frequent blown fuses and circuit breakers that keep flipping off, as well as high electrical bills.
How do you know if your wiring is overtaxed?
Start by checking your electrical outlets and light switches. Are they warm to the touch? If so, that’s a sign that there’s too much going on behind the scenes.
If your lights flicker or shut off altogether for no reason, that’s another red flag.
It’s not ideal to try and fixing electrical wiring yourself.
Unless you have a lot of experience handling these issues, you could end up making the problem worse or even electrifying yourself. Instead, call an electrician and ask them to come out and update the wiring to fix the problem.
2. Rotting Deck
A rotting deck is unsafe and could be a serious hazard to you and your family. If you don’t maintain your deck, you could end up falling through it with one wrong step!
You can tell if your deck is rotting by the way the wood feels. If it’s soft, that’s a sign that it needs to be repaired.
Repairing a rotting deck definitely isn’t an easy process. You’ll have to tear out and replace all the rotting boards. Sometimes, it’s best to replace all the boards to create a uniform look — this will help to boost your home’s resale value as well.
Be sure to trim back tree branches that cover the deck, too. This increases sun exposure and helps to keep the deck dry.
3. Natural Gas Leaks
If you notice a rotten egg smell in your house, that’s a major sign that you have a natural gas leak.
Sometimes, the natural gas leak can come from something as small as a gas burner that wasn’t turned off completely. It can also come from something as big as a broken gas main.
A natural gas leak that goes unfixed could lead to explosions and fires. Call a professional to come and address the problem as soon as you notice it — do not wait on this one.
4. Cracks in the Basement
A crack in your basement indicates a problem with the foundation of your home.
Cracks in the basement are often the result of poor drainage. This causes water to pool around your house and results in buckling of the concrete walls. This can lead to mold growth and structural damage to the rest of your home.
A crack in the basement should be addressed right away. You can’t handle this issue on your own. Call a contractor who has experience dealing with foundation issues.
5. Pest Infestations
Pests like termites and rodents will not go away on their own.
The longer you go without addressing this problem, the more time these creatures have to multiply and cause more problems throughout your home.
As soon as you notice signs that pests are overtaking your home, you need to call an exterminator to come in and get rid of them.
6. Broken Pipes
A broken pipe can result in flooding, severe water damage, and mold growth.
Don’t try and wrap a cloth over the problem and hope it goes away. This is especially important if you’re dealing with unclean water that should be heading toward your sewage system.
Call a plumber and get that pipe fixed right away.
7. Leaky Roof
If you have a leaky roof, you need to address it straight away. Persistent roof leaks will result in water damage throughout your home. This, in turn, can contribute to mold growth.
Sometimes, you can tell right away that you have a leaky roof because you’ll feel or hear water dripping from the ceiling. In other cases, though, you have to look carefully to notice signs that water is seeping through.
If you notice signs of water damage, call a team of roofers right away to come out and start patching the holes.
8. Clogged Gutters
Clogged gutters might not seem like a huge problem at first. The truth, though, is that they be a serious issue and can contribute to other home issues.
If your gutters are clogged, they will fill up with water during storms and that water will spill over and freeze on the sidewalks and driveway, creating a slipping hazard.
The water can also back up and cause damage to the roof. If the downspouts don’t drain in the proper way, they can also result in leaks in the basement.
Cleaning your gutters is not too difficult to do on your own, but you could also call a professional to come out and address the issue for you. Try to have them cleaned twice a year to keep water flowing properly.
Learn More About Handling Home Issues
If you have a lot of repairs needed throughout your home and don’t know what to address first, start with these eight serious home issues.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to handle the other repairs at some point, too — this isn’t a pass to let those things go — but these bigger repairs need to come first.
Do you want to learn more about handling home repairs? If so, we’ve got lots of helpful articles available on our site.
