If you procrastinate on fixing up your home when something breaks, you’re not alone.
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to delay home repairs. Sometimes, it’s because they need to save to hire a professional. Others, it’s because they intend to fix things themselves, but have to figure out how to do it.
Here are 7 quick tips on how to repair things around your home, whether you choose the DIY route or bring in a pro.
Tip #1: Leaky pipes
It’s always distressing to come across a broken pipe, because of the high cost of hiring a plumber. Unfortunately, sometimes trying to fix the problem yourself can make a bad situation even worse.
One affordable way to deal with a leak is to use epoxy pipe coating. Not only are the costs of epoxy pipe lining far cheaper than hiring a plumber, but it also provides a durable solution.
Tip #2: Roof Repair
Over time, weather causes wear and tear to your roof or chimney. Unless you know what you’re doing and have the safety equipment necessary to do the repair work yourself, it’s better to call a roofer. Try to get roof repair done before the end of summer because the wind and snow in winter will probably make the damage even more extensive.
Tip #3: Crumbling Caulking
Caulking on the outside of your home can sometimes crumble. When the exterior caulking gets in worse condition, you’ll notice rain seeping through the window frames or doors. If you don’t get around to repair it, the wood might rot.
It’s important to stay on top of caulking year round and it’s easy to do yourself. Remember to chip off the old before applying the new.
Tip #4: Peeling Paint
When the paint on your exterior walls peels, you should re-paint these walls as soon as you have time. If you put it off too long, then the siding of your home could suffer from water damage.
While you can always hire a professional paint crew, it will likely cost you thousands of dollars.
It could also cost you if you ignore the problem because then you’ll have to pay to replace the rotting siding.
Although it’s labor-intensive, repainting your home yourself will only cost you a few hundred dollars. If you’ve never house painted before, read a DIY manual. With a little trial and error, you’ll soon get the hang of it.
Tip #5: Hot Water Heater Damage
If you live in an area with hard water, then it’s not uncommon for deposits to build up inside your hot water heater.
If you ignore the issue, you’ll have to routinely buy a new one. One way to avoid spending so much time and money is to flush your water heater every year.
Tip #6: High Energy-Consuming Light Bulbs
You can improve the energy efficiency of your home by changing your light bulbs and installing a programmable thermostat.
If you’re currently using halogen, fluorescent, or incandescent bulbs, then you’re consuming more electricity than necessary. Switch to LED (light-emitting diode). Alternatively, consider smart light bulbs. You can connect to them with your smartphone or a home device to automatically turn them on in the evenings.
Tip #7: Excessive Interior Heating or Cooling
You can improve the energy efficiency of your home by installing a smart thermostat.
A thermostat that you can program will cut down your utility bills. You won’t have to pay to heat your home in winter or cool it down in summer when there’s nobody at home. This type of thermostat allows you to automate the perfect temperature for your family’s needs.
Save Money With Timely Repairs
Many times, home repair issues are not as time-consuming or expensive as you might assume when you first notice them. But, unfortunately, if you don’t get around to fixing them quickly, either by doing the repairs yourself or hiring a professional, a small repair job could end up becoming an expensive problem. For instance, when you don’t replace exterior caulking around a window frame, it could cause rotten wood if you live in an area where it rains heavily. When it comes to fixing up your home, sooner is always better than later.