When it comes to home maintenance, you may have a long list of items you want to tackle. From fresh coats of paint to tightening hardware, your list may range in the level of urgency required. Maintaining your home is a crucial part of homeownership, especially if you want to uphold your home’s value. Here are some household problems that you should mark “most urgent” and tackle right away.
Mold
It’s common to spot mold in damp areas of your home like the kitchen or bathroom every now and then. To help prevent this from happening in the first place, ensure you have proper ventilation in rooms that can get steamy and damp.
If you catch mold making a surprise appearance somewhere unexpected, your living room walls for example, it’s time to bring in the experts for a closer look. They’ll take a look and determine whether you can handle the cleanup solo or if it’s best to bring in a professional remediation crew. Better safe than sorry, right?
HVAC System Concerns
Your heating and cooling system may make a bit of noise here and there, but if you start hearing anything that sounds like banging or squealing, it’s time to take notice. Those loud, out-of-the-ordinary sounds could be a sign of trouble with some of the important mechanical components. Get your HVAC technician on the case pronto. You don’t want to leave the issue long in case it gets worse (and becomes a more expensive fix). Plus, you want to be comfortable in those hot or cold months.
Critters or wildlife
Wildlife Prevention
Wildlife getting a little too close for comfort around the exterior of your home (i.e. in your chimney, on a balcony, in the garage, eavestrough, or window wells) should be dealt with in a timely manner. The City of Toronto has a great list of recommendations to Wildlife Proof Your Home and Lawn to help you mitigate any furry friends moving in. For example:
Prevention Skirts for Skunks and Foxes
A “prevention skirt” encloses areas underneath patio decks and sheds and other places where animals may make a dens. To keep animals from burrowing under these sites, dig a trench around the base of the structure and use galvanized heavy wire screening as a prevention skirt.
The screening should go at least 20 to 30 cm. straight down and 20 to 30 cm., angled 90° outwards underground so the screen forms an “L” shape. Backfill the area with dirt. If you pile rocks or other items over this area against the structure, the animal can burrow around the wire mesh barrier.
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Handle Small Critters and Pests
Smaller critters may make their way into your home. If you see any signs of ants or mice, you’ll want to take action right away. Those little critters crawling around your home is a sign that you have openings in your home somewhere that need to be closed.
Inspect areas such as exhaust vents, condensate lines, pipes, ducts, utility access panels, and garage doors for evident gaps, indications of chewing or nesting, or torn screening. If you’re unsure about what you’re observing or lack confidence in your ability to address the issue, it’s a good idea to contact a professional exterminator. If you come across mouse or bird droppings, be extra cautious as they can pose health risks.
Damaged Roof
Speaking of keeping critters out…maintaining a solid exterior is the best way to keep unwanted creatures and the elements out of your home. Inspect your roof throughout the year to make sure you don’t have any damaged or missing shingles. If you do, it’s important to tend to the issue as soon as possible. The purpose of shingles is to protect the wood sheathing underneath from moisture, which can be a much bigger (and more expensive) problem than a damaged shingle.
You’ll also want to pay attention to your roofline to ensure it’s not starting to sag at all. If you live in an older home, a sagging roofline could be a sign that something is loose or rotten underneath. If you notice any potential sagging (or any issues you spot from your attic), you’ll want to deal with them right away.
Peeling Paint
When you notice the paint peeling off the outside of your house, it’s more than just an eyesore. Sun and water can sneak in and wreak havoc on the wood beneath. Here’s the game plan: grab your scraper and get rid of that peeling paint down to the bare wood. Then, apply primer and let it dry before adding a fresh coat of paint.
Now, when it comes to indoor peeling paint, if you’re seeing it flake off in rough squares like an alligator’s skin, it’s time to pay attention. That’s often a telltale sign of lead-based paint lurking underneath. If it’s a big area, it’s smart to chat with a pro about getting it safely removed.
Jittery Interior or Exterior Railings
Railings serve an important purpose: to provide stability (especially to young kids, elderly people, and those with liabilities). If you notice any of your railings have a wobble, you should look into the issue. Hopefully, it’s just a matter of tightening the attachment to the wall. If you’re not confident in your ability to secure the railing properly, bring in a professional as soon as you can.
Dripping Plumbing
Whether it’s a dripping faucet or a running toilet, little drips can add up. An issue like a running toilet will show up on your water bill.
Leaky Faucet
For a leaky faucet, be sure to turn the water off before you attempt to tighten anything under the sink. Here are some steps you can take if you’re going to attempt to fix a leaky faucet on your own.
Running toilet
A toilet could be running for a few reasons. Two common reasons are:
- The valve is not shutting off properly and the tank is constantly filling
- Ghost flushing: the toilet fills up and then without anyone using it, it fills up again a few minutes later
This article breaks down how you can fix these common running toilet problems your self.
If you’re not confident in fixing plumbing issue by yourself (or identifying the core issue), call a plumber to come check it out as soon as possible.
The importance of fixing these household problems ASAP
Getting on top of household issues pronto isn’t just about keeping things looking spick and span—it’s about safeguarding your home and your family. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, a wonky electrical outlet, or a creaky floorboard, tackling these problems ASAP can prevent them from spiraling into bigger, costlier headaches down the line. Plus, addressing issues promptly can also help maintain the value of your home and ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. So, don’t procrastinate—get fixing, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a well-maintained abode!
If you’re thinking about selling your home now or in the next few years, it’s especially important to stay on top of your home maintenance tasks. Not only the crucial issues we talked about today, but all the tasks that help make your home a comfortable, functional property.
Proper home maintenance allows potential buyers to see themselves living blissfully in your home, and to not be focused on potential fixes. If a buyer spots an issue with your home, it could make their mind wander to wonder what else is wrong with the property. Don’t give them a reason to not love your home!
If you have questions about getting your home ready to sell, or what you can do to improve the value of your property, don’t hesitate to reach out!
sold@cindycody.ca | 519-746-5136
