Many experts claim that the best way to prepare for home repairs is to set up a budget. The rule of thumb is to save 1% of the property’s value every year. That way, when it’s time to change your roof or driveway, you won’t be shaken by the enormous costs.
Still, that doesn’t mean it’s easy doing home maintenance. No one likes spending $10,000 on something they perceive as a necessary evil. And no matter how much you’d like to justify things, it will always come as a burden.
Of course, some repairs hit harder than others. In this article, we’ll talk about 7 home repairs that can drain your budget overnight.
1. Foundation
Fixing a foundation is a messy thing. Water will penetrate your basement and driveway, creating fungus and mold on wooden elements. In the worst-case scenario, it will completely ruin your foundation leading to extensive maintenance work.
Depending on the damages, you’re looking at $10,000 to $40,000 in maintenance expenses. Ideally, you should put some preventative measures in place that would safeguard your home. The best remedy is building a home on solid, hard ground.
2. Roof
When talking about home maintenance, it’s hard not to mention the roof. Like the foundation, this section of the house is highly susceptible to water, but also strong wind, rot, and debris. The only good thing about the roof is that you can fix and repair smaller sections by yourself, which would save you a lot of money along the way.
Whatever the case, fixing your roof will cost between $3,000 and $12,000. The cost varies based on the material and the size of the damage. What’s worse, a leaky roof can also affect your foundation, forcing you to cough up much more money than initially intended.
3. HVAC
The last thing you need is to encounter HVAC issues during extreme weather. “A responsible homeowner should check their air conditioner every six months,” according to Fixd Repair, an AC service in Carrollton, TX. Otherwise, they’re running a risk of major malfunctions during summer.
There are so many things you should check with HVAC. Aside from tightening loose parts, you’ll also have to lubricate the system, check connections, clear the AC drain, and address dirty coils. Regular maintenance is important not only for avoiding breakdowns but also for increasing HVAC efficiency.
4. Sewer
Many homeowners don’t even like thinking about the sewer. Any small issue with the piping might potentially cause major flooding, causing feces and nasty odors to spread all over your property.
Homeowners are responsible for pipes leading to a local sewage system. And while fixing them isn’t a big deal (usually costs between $1,000 and $2,000), the biggest problem is cleaning all the mess. Holes in pipes can cause water and feces to spread around your property, creating puddles on the surface.
If you don’t address the issue immediately, it might even mess up your foundation and asphalt in front of your house.
5. Deck
When we talk about extensive repairs, only a handful of people think about the deck. Unfortunately, the high prices of wood have significantly changed the associated costs. Nowadays, you’d have to pay from $7,000 to $10,000 to replace the entire thing.
So, we suggest that you perform periodic maintenance. It only costs $100 and will keep your deck in tip-top shape for years to come. Furthermore, this is one of the few things you can easily do yourself. Make sure that your deck is always clean, and apply new color and sealant every once in a while.
6. Fireplace
The American way of living is often associated with fireplaces. The whole family loves to gather around it and spend holidays together. Unfortunately, although having a fireplace sounds idyllic, it’s also a major hazard.
According to the data, 36% of home fires are caused by faulty fireplaces. So, having one is not only expensive but also dangerous. Still, there are a few things you can do to increase safety, such as checking your chimney and installing smoke detectors.
7. Trees
You should never underestimate the damage that a fallen tree can cause. Depending on its size, it can completely ruin your house by causing enormous damage to the exterior.
Aside from falling trees, you should also be wary of the branches. During strong winds, they will start scraping against the side of your house. Depending on the positioning, they might also break your windows.
The best way to circumvent these issues is by planting trees away from the house. Alternatively, you should trim the branches every once in a while.
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