Avoid future home repairs with preventative maintenance

It is said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. The best way to avoid costly repairs to your home is to carry out regular maintenance on it. Remember, the more effort you put into caring for your home, the less money you will need to spend on it. 

With smart home care devices driven by technology, more and more homeowners can get savvy in taking care of their homes. Here is a handy guide to keeping your home in great shape:

Pipes: The cost of a leak or a sewage back can be significant to homeowners. Leaky pipes and faucets can be big water wasters too, proving to be costly in the long run.  One way that you can find hidden leaks in your home is to wrap paper towels around pipes to look for wet spots. 

Roof: Putting in a new roof altogether may cost you thousands, but smaller repairs and a routine maintenance check will be easier on your pocket. You could perform a visual check once or twice a year; look for loose shingles, check for areas that are discolored or do not look right. It would also be a smart idea to check your attic, damp patches on the walls or ceilings are an indication of leaks. Every year, you could take the help of an expert, like a roofing contractor to carry out a detailed inspection. Especially after a bout of extreme weather like heavy rain, snow, or a hurricane, it is worthwhile to get the roof inspected by a professional. This will save you money and a lot of inconvenience in the future. 

Termites: Damage done by termites to the home can be a real problem. In most cases, a routine visual inspection can detect early signs of damage. Wood dust is one of the signs of damage - check the windows and outer walls. Sometimes, a magnifying glass can detect damage easily. 

A home that is built around a wood-frame structure usually comes with a termite protection plan, in which a professional will inspect the home at regular intervals. Check to see if you have this plan in place. 

Some tips for preventative maintenance

While routine inspections are a good way to avoid costly, full-blown damage repairs to your home, there are some ways where you can keep things going just right with some preventative maintenance:

Clear the gutters: Debris like twigs, leaves, and pine straw can do damage to the home foundation or cause water to seep into the basement. Overflowing gutters can prevent the downspouts from directing water away from the walls and foundations of the house. 

A visual check on your own from time to time can go a long way in preventing any disasters from happening. It also makes sense to carry out regular gutter cleanings, especially after a rainstorm. Depending on the amount of foliage around your home regular gutter cleaning can be a good preventative measure. 

Change HVAC filters frequently: This area is non-negotiable, for clean air is a must for every home. Clogged and dust-ridden filters can restrict airflow, slow down the air circulation and reduce the effectiveness of the AC system considerably. Changing your HVAC filters should therefore be a top priority. A calendar alert can be set for every three months( especially if you have pets that shed). 

Small steps like these take minimal time, but they can save you a lot of money by helping your systems last longer and operate more efficiently.

GROW South Dakota is a statewide non-profit organization that provides programs and loan products to advance housing, community, and economic development.
One of the many ways that GROW South Dakota assists homeowners is through its Weatherization program. Weatherization is a service to assist individuals in providing energy-efficient measures in their homes. If you are interested in this service, find out more here.