by Brandi Savitt – July 21, 2010

Nine Home Repairs Not to Ignore

Did you every see that Tom Hanks 80′s movie The Money Pit?  It’s all about an unfortunate couple’s hugely expensive and endless efforts to repair their new house- and yes it’s a comedy! If you own your own home, you too have most likely experienced a surprise breakdown or two that has cost you an unexpected pretty penny (take Steph’s HVAC meltdown last weekend)!

The reality is, home ownership is not just about budgeting to cover your monthly mortgage payments and property tax, you also have a responsibility to care for your property- which means maintaining the foundation, structure and inner workings of your house, but also being prepared to pay for UNEXPECTED REPAIRS! Obviously this is easier said than done when money is tight, and you’re not a contractor or have your own live in handyman.  Needless to say, whether you’ve owned your home for twenty years, or you’re considering becoming a homeowner for the first time, there are some absolutes that you should know how to fix yourself, budget for, and pay forward, to avoid catastrophic repairs & major surprise expenses!

Repairs to Fix IMMEDIATELY!

1.  Don’t Ignore Electrical Inconveniences

Any electrical problem should be taken care of immediately to avoid potential blowouts or worse, A FIRE!

• Dead Outlets: A sudden non functioning outlet (that does not go out from a blown fuse) could indicate a more serious problem such as a loose wire that could spark and cause serious damage.  Get these problems checked out and repaired by a qualified electrician as soon as possible!

• Dead Light Switch: A non functioning light switch (that does not go out from a blown fuse), could also mean something is shorting out inside the walls.

• Excessive Static on TV or Radio: These malfunctions could indicate the house is not properly grounded (not safe)- which can cause even more serious problems down the line.
  

• Strange Noise from a Major Appliance: Any electrical appliance (oven, stove, refrigerator) that starts humming should be repaired immediately!

• Frayed Wires: Any frayed wires (exposed or not) should not be used and replaced immediately!

2.  Deal with ALL Leaks

• Ceiling Leaks & Water Damage: If you see water dripping from your ceiling, or if you see any discoloration due to water damage, you may have a small problem that is about to get much worse!  Water takes the path of least least resistance, so just because you see discoloration in one spot, it does not mean that that is where the leak has originated.  If there is a spot on your ceiling that gets wet more than once, or you see actual water dripping down, find the leak & get it repaired at once!

• Pipes & Plumbing: A continually running toilet, a dripping sink, a leaky pipe under the sink, or any drips you hear in the wall, all should be repaired to avoid further damage,  flooding and MOLD!

3.  Maintain Your Heating & Cooling System (HVAC):

• If you have central heating and air conditioning, have your system professionally maintained at least once a year to prolong the life and efficiency of your system.  Have your filters & coils cleaned or replaced, and have your duct work swept.

• If you have radiator heat, have the system flushed at least every other year to remove excess build up and air pockets that can decrease the efficiency of the system (not to mention causing that haunting banging sound).

• Clean the filters of your window unit air conditioner once a month in the summer, and hose the coils at the beginning of each summer.

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