Homeownership is a milestone achievement for many Americans across the country. And when it’s finally time to close on a home and start the moving process, many new homeowners can’t wait to get in and start designing and customizing.
But there’s one thing about homeownership that those who rent their homes don’t have to deal with, and that’s annual maintenance.
If you let a home go without performing any maintenance, chances are it’s not going to be worth the sale price that you paid for it after a few years. In fact, you could suffer a tremendous equity loss if you let certain areas of your home go unchecked or unmaintained.
In fact, there are a few key areas of your home that must be maintained if you hope to retain value, and in some cases–structural integrity.
Here, we’ll list a few of these areas that you’ll want to keep your eye on when it comes to maintenance and repairs.
Looking Over Your Roof
A roof is absolutely critical to the fundamental purpose of a shelter. And a damaged, weathered, or worn roof is one element that can significantly reduce the value of your home if you ever try to sell it in the future.
On average, the overall recommendation is to have your roof inspected and repaired if necessary every five years. And a roof usually needs replacing after about 15 years or so, depending on where you live and your local climate.
But since a roof is a complex structural design, it’s rather difficult to repair or replace on your own. And in some areas, you have to be licensed to work on a roof.
For example, if you live in Montana, you’ll probably want to enlist the help of Montana roofing contractors, just so you’ll know that your roof will be repaired or replaced properly.
Foundation Issues
Just like the roof over your head, the foundation under your feet is just as important to the structural integrity of your home. And over time, foundations can crack, sink, tilt, or warp, depending on the type of materials used.
Foundation problems can significantly reduce the value of your home, and this is one problem that if not resolved, you’re going to end up spending thousands of dollars to have your home properly repositioned.
When a foundation has problems, key indicators to look for are cracks high on the ceiling. This might seem odd, but cracks that keep widening that might be perpendicular to the roof pitch can be caused by a cracking of the foundation.
Additionally, if your home has a concrete foundation and is significantly cracked, this can also cause major issues with plumbing and pests.
Plumbing
Perhaps the worst problem to have in a home as plumbing issues. And since we all need water to survive, having adequate plumbing is essential to the overall value of a home.
Over time, pipes may rust, but this heavily depends on the age of the home and the type of materials used in the original plumbing. But when you start to see signs like metal flakes spitting out of your faucet, or rust-colored water that runs for a long duration before turning clear, these are clear signs that you need pipes replaced.
Faulty pipes can also cause major water damage issues, and can even begin to erode your foundation if left unchecked. Additionally, a leaking pipe can cause mold and mildew to develop. And this can result in significant respiratory health problems for anyone living in the home.
Keeping up with the maintenance of your home becomes a full-time job once you become a homeowner. And though this might seem like a major expense at times, the money you spend on the improvement and upkeep of your home will prove to be a sound investment many years into the future.
A fervent champion for holistic well-being, graces this community with her expertise in health and fitness. With a solid educational foundation in physical fitness and a commitment to empowering others, Sara distills her extensive knowledge and experience into actionable insights. Her writing, firmly grounded in evidence-based practices, aims to demystify health complexities and inspire readers to cultivate sustainable habits for a balanced life. As a certified fitness trainer, Sara offers a well-rounded perspective on wellness. Join Sara on this transformative journey towards a happier, healthier, and more vibrant you.
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