Home and Garden

Owning a home is a wonderful thing. For many, it is a source of pride, it acts as your comfort space, as a place to entertain friends and family, and of course as a place to create lasting memories. Of course, for all its good, owning a home isn’t always a walk in the park as there is plenty of routine maintenance to take care of as well as occasional issues and repairs. While some of those issues may not be a big deal and can be put off, others shouldn’t be ignored and can even affect the integrity and safety of the home. Let’s take a look at four home repairs and issues you never want to ignore and put off until a later date. The Roof Is In Poor Condition The roof is one of the most important features of your home. It keeps the water out of your home and adds to the overall insulation of the home. The good news is that the typical roof lasts about 20 years so it’s not something you need to worry about often, but that’s not to say that issues can’t arise before the 20-year mark. Ignoring a roof that is in poor condition means you risk water leaking into the home, which no homeowner wants to deal with. Wear, tear, and damage can happen well before 20 years pass and may require a repair or patch job, or a complete roof replacement. Some of the warning signs to look for that signal your roof is in poor condition are: Missing, cracked or curled shinglesThe roof is more than 20 years oldYou notice the granules on the shingles are missing or discoloredYou see stains on the walls and/or ceiling inside your home (water damage)You can see daylight through the roof from the interior of the homeYou have water leaking in None of these signs should be ignored and should prompt a call to an experienced roofer to come out and take a look. Pests in the Home – Don’t Let It Get Worse No one wants to think about a pest infestation in the home, but unfortunately, it can happen. Some of the more common pest infestations can include: MiceRatsSpidersAntsTermitesWaspsBed bugsCockroachesMosquitoes Of course, these aren’t the only pests. Depending on where you live, you may also be dealing with larger animals that get into the home such as squirrels and raccoons. At its best, pests can be annoying, but typically the damage is much more than that. They can eat away at wiring and insulation, they can rip apart walls, and their droppings can be toxic to breathe in. The problem with many of these pests is that they multiply fast, so what starts as a small issue becomes out of control very quickly. While you may be able to remedy the situation in the early days of infestation, if it is allowed to grow, the chances are you will need a professional pest removal service. Water Leak or Damage in the Basement Unfortunately, water leaks and water damage in the basement can be common issues homeowners have. For those with an unfinished basement, it may not seem like a big deal, but a water leak should never be ignored. It could signal issues with the foundation or other problems. Any time you have water leaks and moisture building, you are at the risk of mold developing, which is extremely harmful to your health and that of everyone in the household. Not to mention that the more water that leaks in, the more extensive and expensive the repairs will be. Should you have issues with water damage in the basement, you can contact a company such as Superior Basement Water Control & Remodeling. This company specializes in basement water control, sump pumps, in-floor drain systems, water damage restoration, and waterproofing. The faster you can address the issue, the less damage will be caused. Electrical Issues - Important and Potentially Dangerous Here's a category that can be lumped into "anything electrical". This isn't an issue you want to mess around with, ignore, or try to fix on your own. Electrical issues can be relatively minor and quick to fix or they can be serious and could even lead to a fire. You don't want to guess wrong and assume it's "no big deal". If you have lights that are flickering (and you've already tried changing the bulb), have switches that don't work, or the breaking is tripping regularly, it's best to call in an electrician to take a look. This is especially true if you live in an older home, as it could be a warning sign that the wiring in the home is no longer adequate. Knowing how to distinguish between a pressing issue and one that can be ignored for a while is huge when it comes to homeownership. Each of the above issues needs immediate attention.