Owning a home can be a significant investment for most families. Though the benefits of moving into a new residence are plentiful — owning your own home, moving to a nice neighborhood, not having to worry about your rent going up, more space, and viewing your home as a major investment opportunity — there are still numerous costs which you’ll have to deal with as a homeowner. With every year, you can expect to spend between approximately one percent and four percent of your home’s value in repairs costs. If you have to take on a major repair, this financial amount can triple your home’s maintenance costs.
When you become a homeowner you’ll have to factor in being the person who will be responsible for home repairs. Such repairs can be range in pricing and how much of an effect they will have on your household. Home repairs should be prioritized by importance, need, and how much they will cost to have done. Check out a list of four home repairs that you should prioritize by the level of importance to your household.
1. Roofing
Your roof is huge in terms of important repairs which should be prioritized at home. The roof provides shelter from the elements, while also providing your home with the best curb appeal possible if you ever decide to put it up for sale. When your roof is in need of repairs it’s best to prioritize such repairs over anything else.
A roof can suffer any number of ailments including hail damage, water spots on your ceiling, nails through the roof, damaged roof vents, vent flashing failure, and missing shingles. You’ll also need to look into having your fascia and shingles replaced, in addition to making sure your gutters are cleaned on a regular basis. One way that you can make sure your roof stays in good shape is to hire professionals to inspect it every 3-5 years after the installation.
Check the internet by searching for a “roofer near me” and find the best qualified, dependable, and licensed roofers in your area. You can also look over your roof yourself in between these types of inspections to locate weak spots or minor repairs that need to be addressed.
2. Termite Damage
Insects are a nuisance that you’ll have to deal with when you move into a new home. These can include cockroaches, ants, flies, spiders, and termites. When you live in an apartment complex like a Venterra Realty apartment residence, employees and executives like John Foresi make it a point to provide pest control services for insects like these. When you become a homeowner, you have to handle these things yourself. Termites especially must be handled immediately once you find them in your home because they can cause major home damage which can cost you money.
Termites chew through the wood of homes as they search for cellulose. As these insects enjoy a buffet provided by your home they leave behind significant damage. As they eat the wood, they leave behind long grooves in your wood. These grooves weaken the wood of your home over time and can create structural damage.
Signs that you might have termites include seeing swarms of small flying bugs, finding hollowed-out wood in your home, and locating pencil width mud tunnels that lead up to your exterior walls. For the average treatment cost of $541, you can have this home repair taken care of before it becomes an issue. If you don’t, the damage caused by termites can average approximately $7,229.
3. Plumbing Problems
Just like your roof, a properly functioning plumbing system is something that your household needs. You need good plumbing for making sure you can use your shower, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and water systems on a regularly uninterrupted basis. If you come across outdated plumbing and leaky pipes, then it’s best that you hire a licensed plumber to take care of these issues.
Health hazards can be created by older plumbing. Leaking pipes can cause future headaches with other parts of the house, including damaged flooring, water damage in the basement, and mold problems. It’s best to tackle these important home repairs sooner rather than later.
4. Windows
Windows should be inspected on a regular basis, as these are parts of your home that can be subjected to all sorts of wear and tear. Though most of your windows will serve your home well over the years, you’ll have some which might break, scratch, or not work properly. If you don’t have a properly functioning window it can let in water, cold/ windy weather, creating an inhospitable atmosphere in your home.
If your window isn’t functioning, this can also allow insects or other types of creatures to come into your home. When your window doesn’t close properly you’ll begin to see gaps where air and insects can actually get into your home. Maybe look into having the windows replaced, sealed, or repaired if needed to ensure that your home stays secure from the elements and pests.
