Joyless expenditures. They’re the renovations you’ll never notice on parts of the house you never see. As a homeowner, you’ll have a lot of them, and you’ll shake your fist in the air every time. You can’t avoid them. Well, you could — but you’ll just spend more on them later.
It’s much better (and cheaper) to get repairs done or renovate when problems are still small and manageable than to wait until they get bigger. And they will. Because they always do.
6 issues you should address immediately
Roof issues
If you notice discolored spots on your ceiling or water pooling on the floor, you should check if your roof shingles are curling – or have them checked. Flowing roofs can cause structural damage that can lead to joint rot and mold, or a full-on leak and severe water damage. Your best bet is to call a professional as soon as you notice this problem.
Mold issues
You should always be on the lookout for mold — especially in basements and bathrooms where moisture can seep its way into the walls. Mold mostly presents itself as black spots on the floor, ceiling, wall or baseboard. If you notice something that so much as resembles mold, have it tested immediately — especially if you have children. There is evidence to support an association between mold and respiratory illnesses. Decontamination is necessary in severe cases.
Gutter issues
Some kinds of roof damage can be attributed to clogged gutters, but that’s only one of the reasons to keep them clean. For instance, wet debris attracts insects that can damage your roof — or worse, infest your home.
Window and door issues
Avoiding these will no doubt drive your energy bills up and could lead to wall damage. But besides that, faulty doors and windows make it easier for young kids to wander out and creepy crawlies to wander in.
French drain issues
If you notice more condensation than normal in the basement or wet spots on the carpet or floor, have your French drain checked. A damaged French drain can cause horrible basement floods, make mold surface, and compromise your home’s foundation – weakening your home’s structure.
Termite issues
Termites are agents of destruction that cause a lot of damage very quickly. While it would take a single termite over 3,000 years to eat the wood in a 1,000-square-foot home, some colonies have over a million termites. You do the math.
Of course, you’d rather not have these issues.
They’re hard to swallow and often hard to pay for. In most cases, the consequences of neglecting your home include mold issues. Take the required precautions and be on the lookout every so often to safeguard your home. As soon as you notice any of these issues, it’s time to take action. These renovations may not be the most exciting, but you’ll surely be relieved after going through with them.