The following is a guest post by Chad Dannecker
Repairs and maintenance are an inevitable part of home ownership. Putting off certain repairs can be costly to do, because they could turn into bigger repairs later or cause you to waste precious energy. Here are the top five ways your house could be costing you money, along with solutions on how to rectify these problems so they do not become bigger ones later on
1. Improper caulking
This is a relatively simple job, but one that is nevertheless often overlooked. After time, old caulking can break down and no longer perform as it is supposed to. Check the area around doors and windows to ensure there is adequate caulking in order to prevent air loss. You should also check the caulking around your toilets, bathtubs, countertops and sinks, as inadequate caulking could result in moisture getting behind these fixtures and causing damage to your walls.
2. Excess water loss
Even small leaks can cause you to use a great deal of extra water over time. To save money on your water bill, have a good look at all your pipes and faucets to see if they show signs of leaking, and then make repairs as needed. You can also save money by installing new low-flow showerheads and toilets; in some cases, you could reduce your monthly water consumption by as much as 50%.
3. Inadequate insulation
If your home has inadequate insulation, it will naturally be harder to heat and cool as a result. Insulation can be purchased rather inexpensively, and can also be installed as a DIY project. If you’re unsure as to whether or not your home has the right amount of insulation, consider having a professional inspection performed. The money you spend on this inspection will more than pay for itself over the long run, should you discover more insulation is needed.
4. Pests
No matter how clean or well maintained your home is, you can still be subject to pests such as ants, roaches, spiders or even rodents. If these pests are left unchecked, they can cause serious damage to your home’s foundation, wiring or crawl space. Insect droppings could also get into your ductwork, thereby causing you and your family to suffer respiratory disorders. To avoid damage from pests, consider having a professional exterminator treat your home on an ongoing basis in order to prevent small problems from becoming bigger ones. If you’re intimidated by the cost, there are a number of do-it-yourself remedies you can use to fight pests with as well. Spray around the foundation of your home on a regular basis, and place glue traps in strategic areas to catch mice with-just be sure to keep them out of the reach of pets and children.
5. Dirt and grime
One of the best ways to prevent major repairs is to keep your home as clean as possible inside and out. Have your carpets cleaned on a regular basis, as this will ensure they last longer. Pressure wash your siding once or twice a year to prevent dirt and grime from aging it prematurely. Clean your ductwork in the spring and fall in order to ensure air is able to flow freely, as this will also help your HVAC system work more efficiently. Wash down walls on a regular basis, and you won’t have to paint them as often either.
These home repairs are rather simple and inexpensive to make, yet many times are overlooked. Take a look around your home today to see which ones if any need to be performed, and then make plans to get them done as soon as possible. You’ll not only be saving money, but you can also avoid major repairs while also increasing the value of your property.
Chad Dannecker is the team leader of Dannecker & Associates. With more than 40 years of local real estate experience, Dannecker & Associates has established themselves as the leading source of real estate expertise in San Diego.
The insulation issue is a big one. I know for a fact my house could use some better insulation and I’ve considered biting the bullet and paying for a full redo of the insulation in my attic area. Our basement is a bad one too. When we remodel the rental apartment or our part of the basement I plan on ripping it down to the studs and putting in really good insulation. I’m sure it will pay off long-term.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…A Match Made in Heaven: Weddings and Travel Rewards
Yea, I think it should pay off in the long-term with lower heating bills.
We live in an apartment, but we have thought about asking our landlord to replace the old windows. We can feel the cool air coming through, and that is just due to age. Who knows how much money we are wasting in the winter months.
Was your landlord receptive to that idea? I’m sure the heating bill can be reduced if they were replaced, but unfortunately I’m not sure your landlord will be willing to do it if you pay the bills.
Most of the issues with insulation and sealing are causing a lot of people money. These are some good points.
Kalen @ MoneyMiniBlog recently posted…The Myth of the Successful Money Manager [infographic]
Ah, the perks of renting 🙂
Stefanie @ thebrokeandbeautifullife recently posted…The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: Trivializing Disease or Doing Good?
Oh the insulation–our house is so old that it has almost no insulation upstairs. It’s certainly something we need to rectify!
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And it gets cold in Vermont!
Most of the issues with insulations in Apartments. When you remodel your Apartments, complete all taping and sanding as required, provide immediate scrap control.
I agree that insulation is huge. We have old windows in this house, but we don’t lose that much energy because our house is also really well-insulated.
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted…5 Ridiculous Things I Won’t Be Buying This Week
I need to do a better job on the cleaning front, just got new siding so I don’t want that to age prematurely! I have always thought that duct work needs to be cleaned, but not sure how to go about it? It would probably help alot with allergies if nothing else.
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I resinsulated our attic this spring, and I can not only feel the difference as the house stays cooler for much longer and we have to run the air less, but I can see the difference in the electric bill each month. Definitely worth the initial investment and time I put into it!
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I rent so no worries here. Yes I have heard that if you get an energy audit that it will pay itself off in no time, with a few minor changes to the home.
EL @ Moneywatch101 recently posted…The Financial Benefits of Walking
When one of our faucet has leaked and we didn’t notice it, when we received our water bill we were very shocked. It’s very important to check regularly our faucets to avoid excess water loss.
Kate @ Money Propeller recently posted…Friday Jet Fuel #6
How often do you get the water bill? I live in an apartment so don’t pay for water and I still try to conserve it for environmental reasons.
This reminds me that we need to power wash our siding. It’s kind of like washing your car. It seems to be dirty all the time, especially with the winds we get in this part of the country.
Really…I rarely hear about people power washing their siding. I need to google that.
These are the common problems which cost you more money. It is highly recommend to get energy audit of your home if you are facing any issues with your energy bills.
My brother and I bought a foreclosed house while in college and spent a significant amount of time fixing it up. We noticed many of these issues. One serious problem was that there was no insulation in the walls. And this was in Michigan! I have no doubt that we saved a tremendous amount of heating costs over the winter by simply taking a few days to blow insulation into the walls.
Great tips and thanks for sharing!
Rob @ MoneyNomad recently posted…How to Live Like a King on a Pauper’s Budget
For saving on energy bills one must get their heating system checked out every fall and have it tuned up. This can save around 10% off your bill. Energy saving does not have to be difficult or expensive. You can save a great deal of money off your energy bill by following just a simple steps.
I just thank my brother who has good carpentry skills. Whenever we need repair and maintenance at home, we just call him so we kinda save much money and get the best services we need for our home. We’re lucky.
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A roofing job is not something that you can start and then finish as your own leisure. Once you have torn up the old structure, you only have a few days to make sure that you get the job completed.
Adding insulation to your home is a great way to increase the comfort of your living environment. Adding home insulation to an existing home will regulate the temperature, making your living environment more enjoyable, especially in places of extreme weather.
Adding home insulation to an existing home will also increase sound control. Insulation creates a sound barrier, keeping unwanted sounds out and protecting your privacy by keeping the sounds from inside your home from being audible outside. Insulating your home also creates a moisture barrier, keeping unwanted moisture out of your house.