Being a homeowner means having to pay not only your bills and taxes. You are also responsible for the entire home maintenance and repairs. These, unfortunately, can be costly at times. Have you been renting your whole life? You’d be surprised at how many home repairs you need to do once you become a homeowner. But how can you avoid such expensive costs?
To keep your home in tip-top condition, you’ll need to maintain it and do necessary repairs now and then. Thankfully, there are things you can do to avoid costly repairs and home maintenance tasks that can drill a hole in your bank.
Ask professionals for repair and installation
Choosing quality HVAC units is not enough to have a reliable system in your home. If you want them to last and work as efficiently as they should, get yourself a professional to install and work on your residential heat pump and air-conditioning units. Make sure to have them checked by a technician yearly.
Do a home energy audit
Performing an energy audit may not seem ideal. But doing so allows you to see if you’re losing energy that can cause high energy bills and your appliances from working double time. By performing an energy audit, you get to know how to tackle maintenance and repair projects. You also save up to 30% of energy costs each year.
Find all leak sources and seal them
Cracks, seams, and even the smallest openings in your house can cause leaks. These can lead to waste energy usage – not to mention additional but unnecessary expenses. Test your home for air leaks on a windy day with the help of an incense stick. If you see that the smoke moves toward a closed wall or window, then you find an air leak. Make sure to caulk, seal, and weather-strip the air leak. This way, you get to maximise your HVAC system and reduce unnecessary costs.
Fix leaky faucets asap
Think that leaking faucet you have in your bathroom is just okay? A single leaking faucet can cost you about 34 gallons of water each year. You get to save by getting your faulty plumbing fixed.
Ensure adequate attic insulation
Insulating your attic helps ensure proper ventilation, control moisture, and retain your preferred home temperature. If your attic’s insulation is depleted, damaged, or not yet finished, then it’s time to do something about it. Save hundreds to thousands of dollars by calling in a professional to work on your attic’s insulation. Make sure to check whether where you live offers incentives when paying for your home’s insulation.
Watch out for water damage
Water damage can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. It can cause further damage not only to your belongings but also to your property. It can also cause mould to thrive in your home and pose a health risk for all its inhabitants. Make sure to check your house for any signs of water damage regularly. Inspect your roof, clean down spouts and gutters, and make sure that your basement is dry. Fix issues immediately to avoid further damage and more expensive repairs.
When you’re a homeowner, it can be hard to keep up with all your responsibilities. However, you get to avoid home repairs and maintenance fees that can be more expensive if you try to maintain your home regularly. You can do this by doing an energy audit, sealing all water and air leaks, and properly insulating your attic.