Buying a home is one of the most significant investments of one’s life and keeping the property well-maintained becomes quite vital in ensuring its longevity and safety. Some minor damages may arise, but they can be easily handled by DIY home maintenance, however, in case of some other damages, you might require immediate professional assistance. If you ignore the essential repair of such damages they can lead to expensive repairs in the future, compromise the structural integrity of the building, and even cause safety hazards. But in this beginner's guide to DIY & home repair, we will tell you all about the five most critical home repairs that you should never ignore and how can a home warranty plan help with the mitigation of any unexpected costs.
While dripping faucets might not seem like a significant issue initially, however, if not checked and repaired on time this small leakage may pose a huge problem in the future. This may include the following issues:
Higher water bills: Even a single tap that is leaking can lead to the wastage of gallons of water in a year, and that can lead to an unnecessary increase in your water bills, increasing your expenses.
Mold growth and water damage: Constant exposure to moisture can lead to the perfect environment for the growth of mold and mildew, that wouldn’t just damage your home but also pose some serious health risks for you and your family.
Structural weakening: With time, these leaks can cause the walls, floors, and ceilings of the house to deteriorate, weaken, and even lead to the collapse of the overall structure of your home.
These small leaks can be fixed by DIY solutions like replacing the worn-out washers or using a plumber’s tape. However, in case of more complex plumbing issues, you will require to consult home maintenance professionals for their expertise in the matter and ask them to carry out the necessary repairs, so that any further damage can be prevented. If you have a home warranty plan, it will cover the cost of plumbing repairs and even help you save on the bills.
Electrical issues are one of the most hazardous and threatening issues in a house that homeowners can face and might lead to serious issues if left without attention. Here are some signs to look out for electrical trouble:
Flickering lights or frequent power surges
Outlets that don’t work or spark when in use
Circuit breakers tripping frequently
Burning smells or discoloration around outlets
If ignored for long these issues can result in severe consequences like electrical fires, appliance damage, or even complete electrical failure.
While carrying out your DIY home maintenance routine, you can easily take care of simple tasks like changing dead light bulbs or resetting the breaker, but be cautious about anything that involves wiring. Such tasks should be left to those who are certified to be home maintenance professionals. Electrical work can seem to be complex, but it is also very dangerous, if it isn’t handled correctly and so should be left to the professionals. Having a comprehensive home warranty plan will provide you the required coverage for the cost of electrical repairs and will also reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
Roof comes as the first line of defense against any outside element, keeping you and the interiors protected, so it becomes essential to keep it in optimal condition. The most common issues with a roof include:
Missing or damaged shingles
Leaks or water stains on ceilings
Sagging or uneven sections
If ignored, roof damage can lead to excessive water-related damage inside the house, energy inefficiency, and lead to highly expensive structural repairs, all hampering your safety and savings.
Make sure to inspect your roof from time to time for any signs of wear and tear, if you notice that there are any missing shingles or minor leaks, apply a patch or replace the shingles during your routine DIY home maintenance schedule. But keep in mind that if there is an excessive amount of damage, go to a professional roofer rather than trying to tackle the task on your own. Here a home warranty price will seem to be a useful investment and a small cost that can save you from the huge potential cost of full roof replacement.
The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems play a very crucial role in making and maintaining the comfort in your house all round the year. However, it also becomes necessary to check it from time to time for proper functioning and damages. Ignoring any small problems that may occur with your HVAC system may cause:
Higher energy bills
Uneven heating or cooling
Complete system failure during extreme weather
If you decide to carry out a basic DIY home maintenance for HVAC systems that will include changing the air filters every 1-3 months, cleaning out the vents, and making sure that the outdoor units are not clogged and free from debris. But it is very crucial to get an annual professional servicing so that the efficiency of performance can be maintained and costly breakdowns are prevented. In addition to this, many warranty plans also include the cost of HVAC repairs, so if you are considering a home warranty, that will make the home warranty price a worthwhile investment.
Next comes the most important element of your home’s entire structure, the foundation. It comes to be so important as it supports the entire structure of your house, and so in case of even the most minute cracks, there can be severe problems. The most common issues that are caused due to foundation damage are:
Water intrusion and flooding
Compromised structural stability
Decreased property value
While it is easy to seal the smaller cracks with epoxy or concrete fillers during your DIY home maintenance routine, in case of larger cracks or shifts in the foundation of the house, you will require professional help for assessment and repair. Although often foundation repairs are not covered in home warranty plans, other related issues like plumbing or HVAC repairs that result from damages caused due to foundation shifts and cracks are.
Even if you employ the best practices and strategies for DIY home maintenance you won’t be able to manage damages to a great degree, secondly, any unexpected breakdowns and repairs are inevitable. So in order to secure yourself from emergency financial burdens caused due sudden extensive damages a home warranty plan provides the necessary coverage for all essential systems and appliances.
Affordability: As compared to the sudden and highly expensive cost of unexpected damages and repairs, a home warranty plan is quite an affordable investment.
Peace of Mind: When you know that the major systems and appliances of the house are covered, it allows you to stay focused on managing your house without any financial stress.
Access to Professionals: Rather than searching for home maintenance professionals in the face of any emergency, A home warranty plan will provide you access to a network of trusted professionals, who offer excellent services.
Home maintenance is a very essential part of owning and managing a house, and by addressing the important repairs with prompt efficiency you can prevent yourself from incurring expensive repairs and the stress that comes with it. Although you can handle some minor repairs when carrying out your regular DIY home maintenance, in case of major issues like faulty electrical systems, failure of HVAC, cracks, or other foundational issues, one must take professional assistance.
When going through or buying a beginner’s guide to DIY & home repair you should check that it includes essential preventive maintenance tips and the signs for understanding when to call in the professionals. Apart from this, investing in a home warranty plan can help manage repair costs, making the home warranty price a small price to pay for long-term protection. By staying proactive and ensuring that critical home repairs are addressed promptly, you can maintain the safety, efficiency, and value of your home for years to come.
