Home Maintenance: 11 Things You Should Address Immediately

Your home is your sanctuary and maintaining it is paramount. Here are 11 things you should address immediately:

1. Your home has a leaking pipe- Whether it’s a small drip or a larger steady leak, the continuous moisture build-up can lead to mold growth, cracks in your drywall, damage to your ceilings, and can even affect your home’s foundation.

2. Your roof is leaking- Your attic is usually warmer and more humid than the central area of the house, and even a small leak from the roof into warm attic conditions makes a hotbed for mold to grow. 

3. Leaky foundation- Your basement foundation can leak over time. As your home settles, hairline foundation cracks can form.

4. Damp or wet crawl space- You want to keep your home’s crawl space as dry as possible. However, in places where it rains a lot, it’s possible for your crawl space to become wet. 

5. Dirty and improperly sealed air ducts- Air ducts become traps for dust, pet hair, and other contaminants that get sucked into your heating and cooling system. These contaminants stick to any damp ducting where mold, bacteria, and other fungi can grow. 

6. Air leaks- Air leaks from outside can contribute to poor air quality indoors. Especially during the warmer months, pollen from new plants, chemicals from lawn pesticides, and other environmental pollutants can float into your home through improperly sealed windows, doors, and ducting. Air leaks also contribute to higher energy bills for cooling and warming your home. 

7. Sewage backup or odors from sewer gas- A sewage backup is a serious environmental hazard. If you notice any of the signs that you have a sewage backup in your home, contact a professional and get this looked at immediately. 

8. Excess moisture in the house- Environmental health experts stress how important it is to maintain indoor humidity at around 40% and keep windows, basements, and attics dry. Excess moisture in your home can create a breeding ground for all types of fungi and bacteria. 

9. Your stove’s exhaust fan is not venting properly- Your stove’s exhaust fan filter collects smoke, odors, and grease from your food as it cooks. If oil clogs your filter – which it inevitably does over time – cooking contaminants recirculate back into the air in the house and begin sticking to your walls. Luckily, this home maintenance item is easily remedied by simply cleaning (degreasing) your filters. 

10. Overflowing gutters- If your gutters are overflowing, it usually means they are clogged with debris – leaves, seeds, and sticks. Your gutters can place unneeded strain on your roof and shingles, spill water down the side of your home instead of through the downspout and away from your home, or they can even collapse damaging the side of your house.

11. Chimney and flue build-up (creosote)- Creosote is an oily substance that builds up inside your chimney and flue if you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove. Have your chimney and flue cleaned of creosote annually, especially if you regularly use your fireplace. It’s also a good idea to have it cleaned before the colder months.    

                                           *Courtesy of https://www.redfin.com/blog

* Specific loan program availability and requirements may vary. Please get in touch with your mortgage advisor for more information.