Most homeowners ignore issues in their home because of financial problems, and some just haven’t gotten around to even inspecting the problem further. Whatever the reason may be, ignoring certain issues in your house can evolve into an expensive catastrophe in the future. If you don’t want to pay for a more expensive repair bill, make sure not to address these home issues immediately:
1. Cracks in the foundation
If you see cracks going up your walls or pitting, gapping, or buckling in your foundation, you might have to call in someone to repair them. While general contractors in Orem, Utah, for example, offer affordable rates for foundation repair, the bill might take a sizeable chunk out of your emergency fund. However, it’s essential to fix the problem immediately instead of ignoring it until it gets worse. If it does, the cracks might expand and cause significant damage to your home’s structure.
2. Leaks and water damage
Whether big or small, every leak should be addressed as soon as possible. Leaks can not only cause water damage to your house, but they can also increase your water bill significantly. Hence, having them fixed immediately is necessary to avoid more significant problems in the long run.
3. Mold and mildew
Mold and mildew can be hazardous to your health. That said, having them in your home is unacceptable, even if they’re just in your basement or attic.
Once you spot mold or mildew growing in your house, don’t wait until they spread to bigger areas. Call in a professional as soon as possible to have the growth removed before it starts affecting your health.
4. Drafts
Air leaks are usually caused by improperly sealed doors and windows. If you feel a breeze when your windows and doors are closed, then you might be dealing with an air leak issue. Don’t ignore the problem–aside from wasting your heating or air conditioning, drafty windows and doors can be incredibly uncomfortable during cold or hot weather.
5. Pests
If you see signs of a pest infestation in your house, don’t hesitate to call an exterminator immediately. Leaving pests to roam as they please can contaminate everything in your home, including the air, food, and water. For pests like rats and termites, they can cause major structural damage to your house if left ignored.
6. Missing or broken shingles
Inspect your roof once in a while and see if you have any missing or broken shingles, especially after a hurricane or snowstorm. Not replacing damaged shingles can cause leaks and mold growth in the attic, so if you want to make sure you don’t experience this problem, have shingles replaced or repaired immediately.
7. Excessively dirty chimney
Granted, a chimney isn’t going to be spotless, but if it’s excessively dirty, you might be at risk for a chimney fire. Luckily, you can eliminate the risk by having your chimney cleaned at least once a year so the flue buildup is removed.
Ignoring issues in your home almost always leads to them getting worse. If you want to prevent even more significant damages and a hefty repair bill, don’t ignore these house problems when they arise.
