People often find home maintenance a chore, but it is nevertheless unavoidable. Because they don’t like it, many homeowners choose to take shortcuts in home maintenance. As a result, they ignore several crucial steps in maintaining a healthy and safe home. You can reduce these maintenance tasks and still get them done well if you hire a competent custom home builder. This way, you can preempt potential problems from cropping up in the future.
According to data, Americans spend an average of $168 a month on home repairs, and another $130 on lawn care and snow removal. While you may not think much about it, the total amount translates to about $3,600 annually.
As a general rule, you should set aside one percent of the value of your home each year to cover home repair and maintenance. For example, if your house costs $400,000, your budget should be $4,000.
Here are some of the most overlooked aspects of home maintenance you should be aware of:
Your HVAC system
The heater and your AC need regular servicing for them to function optimally. You need to look at condensers and the drain and make sure you change the filters regularly. The cost of maintaining your air conditioning unit, for example, is between $200 and $600 for each service. Ideally, you should call in HVAC specialists four times a year.
The Roof
The roof is also one of the most overlooked tasks for repair and maintenance. That is because people do not think of the roof until they notice a leak. However, when you find water spots on your ceiling or flooded areas in your house, it typically implies significant issues. The average cost of a roof repair is $600 but the amount can balloon to $15,000 to $20,000 if you need to replace the whole roof. The gutter can also cave in if you fail to properly clean it of debris, detritus, leaves, and branches. Americans spend between $1,000 and $2,500 to replace their home’s gutter system.
Basement
It is one of those out-of-sight-out-of-mind things. People do not often visit their basement, especially if it functions as a storage area. However, it can be one of the most problematic areas in your house. Among the common problems, you may encounter are sump pump issues, floor cracks, flooding, and mold growth. A custom home builder can protect you from these expenses by installing some preventive measures during the construction or renovation phase.
Moisture Problem
Bacteria and fungus thrive in moist environments. You will find them in seldom-seen areas of your house, such as your basement, attic, or within the drywall. Fungus can cause lung and sinus irritation and is extremely toxic for young children. You need to have regular maintenance to ensure there are no leaks in your plumbing system or cracks in your floors and walls for flood water to seep through.
Most people can perform a significant portion of home maintenance tasks themselves. For instance, you can certainly clean your yard and trim the bushes. There are numerous DIY videos on YouTube that you can follow to create your own flower garden. Also, if you have rugs at home, send them to the cleaners regularly to keep dust and dirt at bay.