If you are like most homeowners, you probably ignore some of the necessary repairs around your home to save some cash. However, you have to understand that while there are some issues around the house that may not require your immediate attention, there are also those that should never be delayed. In fact, neglecting them may result to costly repairs later on, injury or even death. To avoid such disasters, below are four home repairs that should be on top of your to-do list.
Flickering lights
Have you ever noticed your lights flickering whenever you open the refrigerator or heat your meals in the microwave? If you do, then it is likely that your house has a bad wiring. This can also be an indication that a lot of appliances are hooked up in a single circuit. Either of these can lead to a house fire.
You can reduce the possibility of a fire ravaging your home by being mindful of how you plug your appliances. Avoid hooking several power-hungry appliances into one circuit. But, the best fix is to have a certified electrician upgrade your home’s old wiring and install more circuits around the house.
Water leaks
Stains on your ceiling and walls, a faint musty smell in the house and the chalky stuff on the brick exterior wall of your home are signs of leaks or water damage. Keep in mind that if left unchecked, leaks can cause rotting, mold growth and termite infestation–things that can affect the integrity of your house’s roof and foundation.
Of course, you do not want any of the aforesaid things to happen to your home, so before it’s too late stop the leaks by any means and take the necessary steps to avoid them from reappearing. Address roof leaks by patching them with roof cement; repair leaks in your plumbing system; and seal cracks and gaps on the walls, especially in the basement.
Rodent infestation
Cold winter months can mean mice in your house or even rats. And with easy access to food, their number can significantly increase. These rodents can do a lot damage to your home if left unaddressed. They love to chew through wiring and insulation, which can cause a house fire, and their droppings can carry the hantavirus, which can put your life at risk.
The wisest course you can take is to call in an exterminator to properly eliminate the rodents. Once the extermination is done, prevent them from coming back to your house by maintaining the cleanliness in areas where you store food. It is also important to block off possible entry points in your house, including the gaps and cracks on walls.
Smoky chimney
Is the smoke coming from your fireplace blowing inside your house instead of heading out the chimney? It’s likely that there is creosote buildup in your fireplace’s flue. Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood and it can ignite and cause a house fire.
Do not neglect the maintenance needs of your fireplace and chimney. Have them inspected annually and hire a certified chimney sweep to clean the whole fireplace to remove creosote buildup. Also, only use seasoned wood in your fireplace and avoid burning paper, cardboard and trash while using it.
This home improvement advice was penned by one of the writers of Heritage Cleaning, a company in Scotland that provides stone cleaning services. They carry out work on a wide range of stone buildings from private properties to commercial structures. Their DOFF cleaning system is approved by Historic Scotland and is regularly used in the restoration and conservation of listed buildings.