Before you dive headfirst into the process of buying a home, you’ll want to make sure your budget accounts for the inevitable repair and maintenance expenses you’ll experience as a homeowner. From the occasional leaky faucet to a crack in the driveway, owning a home isn’t destined for perfection, there will eventually be a dishwasher that needs fixing or a toilet that needs plumbing.
Once you become a homeowner, you assume the responsibility for every square foot of your property. Unlike renting, you won’t be able to rely on your landlord to call an electrician every time the power goes out unexpectedly. So, you’ll want to prepare for every worst-case scenario before you commit to homeownership. However, with the right preparation and a proactive approach to common household problems, you’ll be able to troubleshoot these unwelcome guest appearances in no time. To avoid being blindsided, here are some common problems homeowners may face and their accompanying solutions.
Invasion of bugs
Bugs gain access to a home through cracks, holes, and gaps within the structure, which can be found on foundation vents, poorly-sealed doors, window ledges, and crevices between the siding and the foundation. When they do find their way in, these insects can be more than a nuisance. Some insect species can cause serious harm to your family, so it’s necessary to seek out a pest control company like Moxie Pest Control. Leave it to the experts to locate the bugs crawling around your home.
Your pest control service provider will perform inspections to determine the extent of invasion, entry points, and eliminate any pests that may threaten the health and safety of your loved ones. To ensure the success of your pest control efforts, you should make regular appointments for servicing, adopt prevention measures, and even supplement professional services with DIY solutions.
Loss of heat and cool air
The living conditions in your new home will be negatively impacted if the house stores too much heat or loses it too quickly. Unexpected decreases or increases in heat retention can result from unsealed cracks on the doors, windows, walls, poor insulation, weak HVAC system, and leaky ductwork.
The first step in solving this problem is to check various parts of the house to uncover its origin. Once you discover these unsealed gaps, be sure to seal any existing cracks. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, you may have to invest in energy-efficient windows/doors, or you might have to install a better HVAC system.
A number of gas companies can also assess the energy efficiency of your home. If you suspect that your losing heat or cold area at exorbitant rates, you can take advantage of their expertise to make the necessary improvements and ultimately lower your energy costs.
Presence of mold
Moisture buildup from leaking pipes, roof, and window damages which allows rain to seep into the house and introduces dampness in the basement can sustain the growth of mold. Some noticeable signs of thriving mold signs include peeling wallpaper, strange smells in the air conditioning system, colored/dark spots on the walls, and an overall musty odor. Once you ascertain that you have a mold problem, you should have it tested, find its cause, and fix it.
You can remove the mold using a heavy-duty cleaner if it’s the result of condensation and covers under 3×3 feet of square footage. When you apply this cleaner, make sure you put on protective gloves and goggles. However, if it’s the result of contaminated water, you should hire a professional.
Water in the basement
If you notice water in your basement, chances are, you may already be experiencing issues with your plumbing or drainage system. Water fixtures and pipes in older homes may have existing problems, so you’ll want to inspect them to determine their condition and make the necessary repairs.
Poor drainage may also lead water to pool in your home, rather than serving its purpose of carrying water away from your home. Take time to assess your drainage system, including the gutters, and develop a maintenance plan to ensure that you live comfortably in your new home. If you don’t have the time to develop your own maintenance plan, you’ll want to recruit the experts.
Water damage can be a major issue for homeowners and has the potential to garner hundreds and even thousands of dollars in expenses. To avoid experiencing costly flooding or water damage, it’s important to address these issues as soon as possible.
Smelly carpet
Carpets can accumulate odors that may linger in the air for a prolonged period of time, making it hard to enjoy your brand new home. Musty odors in carpets can result from collected moisture underneath the carpet’s surface. This moisture can collect due to overwatered potted plants, humidity, past flooding, or spills. If left unresolved, the dampness can cause mildew and mold, which intensifies the smell and can even pose health risks.
You can solve the problem by hiring a professional carpet cleaner to deep-clean your carpet’s fibers. If that doesn’t work, consider replacing the rug. If you do choose to dispose of the rug, make sure you also remove the carpet pad, as a musty carpet pad could be the origin of the smell.
Faulty power outlets
If you buy an existing home rather than building your own, you may experience issues with one or more of its power outlets. Electrical outlets can stop working due to a short circuit or temporary circuit overload. In rare cases, it can be an outcome of a loose wire in the electrical box.
To solve the problem, visit a hardware store to buy a multimeter, then test each outlet to locate the faulty outlets You can easily replace the outlets that do not work. However, if that remedy doesn’t solve the issue, hire an electrician who can take a more in-depth look and offer informed solutions.
Rotten wood
You can find rotten wood in any area with humidity, moisture, and mold problems. Therefore, conduct a comprehensive assessment of your home, including the roof, the base, and pay particular attention to your window sills. If your home is older, you’ll want to be wary of comb-joint materials that were once rampantly utilized. These comb-joint materials are prone to faster water penetration, meaning expedited rotting.
As you inspect your home, be sure to check the deck’s maintenance work if made of wood, and determine whether or not it can withstand the cold weather. Tackle the issue by removing the rotten wood, applying a polyester filler, and hardening salvageable wood by using a wood hardener.
Conclusion
It is best to solve these common issues that new homeowners may encounter before they become too severe. Adequate knowledge, hiring the right people, planning, and keeping an eye on your home help target and solve any household problems before the damage is unrecoverable.
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