6 Home Repairs That Are More Expensive to Fix Later
When it comes to owning a home there are a lot of times you should wait on a repair until you have the money to fix it. But that’s not always true.
The problems listed below are going to cost you a whole heck of a lot more if you wait to fix them, so don't delay. Get the lowdown on what you need to do straightaway below.
Gutters
No one likes sticking their hand in the gutter to pull out rotting leaves, dirt, and who only knows what else. But putting off this gross chore can mean your gutters aren’t working properly.
When that happens, water is more likely to pool around your foundation. That spells foundation trouble—yet another repair that’s more expensive to fix if you wait.
Foundation
You definitely need a specialist to figure out exactly what you need to do to repair the foundation.
If you’re lucky, you might just need to have the contractor plug the cracks with epoxy. If you’re not, you might need wall anchors and braces.
This one definitely has double cost. Not only do you have to fix the foundation, but you also have to fix the cause of the problem.
Floors
This one's a doozy, particularly if you're grappling with termite damage.
Replacing those spongy, sagging floorboards that have been gorged on by those pesky little critters can become quite expensive if the insects are allowed free range over your property.
It pays dividends to know the signs of termite damage, so take care to familiarize yourself with them as soon as possible.
Roof
A leaky roof can lead to water damage in your house and around the foundation. And depending on how bad the damage is, it might not be a job you can fix yourself.
All that water could also lead to mold—and all the health problems that come with it. Not to mention termite infestations and the hordes of other insects that are drawn to water.
When you’re fixing your roof, make sure you check with your homeowner's insurance. Not all policies will cover you unless you hire a licensed contractor.
Pipes
If you have a leaky pipe, you definitely want to fix it sooner rather than later. Once they burst—or start leaking a lot—you’ve got some big problems on your hands.
You could have to replace drywall, insulation, flooring, furniture, and anything else you own that got trapped in the flood.
Electrical
Any electrical problem should be fixed right away, and a licensed contractor should be doing the work.
It’s a huge safety concern. Your faulty wiring can lead to a fire or someone getting electrocuted.
Dead or dying trees
Old trees are beautiful, and many neighborhoods take great pride in their foliage. But trees can pose a danger to your home if you don't care for them properly.
Sure, insurance may cover some of the damage to your house if a branch crashes through the kitchen, but they probably won't cover everything, and the risk of a tree falling on a person or a pet is way too high to take chances.
Call a qualified arborist to make sure you're pruning in a way that'll keep the trees healthy, and that you aren't taking down any trees that could be saved.
We know what you’re thinking. You can practically hear your bank balance shrinking. But you don’t necessarily have to pay out of pocket for all of these repairs cited above.
Talk to your lender about opening a home equity line of credit. Not only will that help you pay for the repairs right away, the interest on the loan is tax deductible. So there’s really no excuse not to get those problems taken care of today!