The cost of owning a home goes well beyondthe price you paid for the house itself.
When something breaks, you have to fix it, and those repairs can be costly.
Bad news, though.
Typically,homeowners insurance only covers damage that is sudden and not preventable.
Most policies wont cover any expenses you could have prevented with proper maintenance.
Check your roof at least twice a year.
With a little maintenance, it’s possible for you to catch foundation problems early or avoid them altogether.
According to HouseLogic, the most common cause of foundation problems is water.
When homes areconstructed, the ground near the foundation usually slopes slightly away from the house.
This keeps rainwater from pooling around the foundation to weaken the structure.
Thats not to say its foolproof, though.
To ensure water isnt pooling near your foundation, you first want to ensure to clean your gutters regularly.
Clogged gutters will send water down the side of your house.
Second,according to Houselogic, your downspouts should direct water 5 to 10 feet away from your house.
They basically dig a pipe and connect it to the homes downspout far away from the homes foundation.
If this pipe gets clogged over time, water can back up and cause your foundation to shift.
Damp areas or pools of water under basement windows or floor.
A strong, musty odor a sign of mold or mildew.
Stained or peeling drywall; mold or mildew on walls and flooring.
You should actively search for these signs and maintenance can help, too.
If it is, your homessump pitshould be filling up with that water.
Your homes sump pump and pit accumulate water, then drain it away.
This needs regular maintenance, too.Roto-Rooter suggeststesting it by pouring a bucket of water into the pit.
The pump should then turn on, drain the water, and turn off.
you might also remove the actual pit and clean out any sludge and debris.
If its not working properly, its time to call a professional to get it replaced.
A big rain may make the soil expand, putting pressure on your foundation walls.
Check your home, especially your basement or crawlspace, for any of these signs.
Replacing a fuse or circuit breaker, for example, may only cost you a couple hundred bucks.
To replace the entire system altogether, youllspend anywhere between $4,000 and $8,000.
Beyond that, you’re able to inspect the unit itself every six months.
see to it that both the heating and cooling systems turn off at the preset temperatures.
Turn off the circuit breakers that power both the furnace and air conditioner.
The circuit breakers are in the electrical service panel.
Leave both units off until after the HVAC inspection.
Check for loose electrical connections.
Listen for any squeaks or noises when manually inspecting moving parts.
Find the condensate drain and check for clogs.
Condensation that builds up during HVAC use must drain properly to prevent rust from forming on internal parts.
Clogged condensate drains also contribute to bacteria and mold growth in the home.
Smell for gas leaks near all gas fittings, if your home uses gas.
Inspect heat exchangers or burners for cracks, abnormal discoloration or deterioration.
Review the system for dirt and debris.
A buildup of debris and dirt affects the systems efficiency.
Use a small portable vacuum to remove any dust buildup.
Look at the air-conditioning coils for an accumulation of dirt or dust.
Vacuum the coils to improve cooling efficiency.
Youll have a big, expensive mess on your hands.
Sewer backups can costupwards of $10,000 to clean up, depending on the extent of the damage.
Theyllrun a camera down the pipesand tell you if there are any clogs or obstructions.
The camera also identifies grease buildup, leaks and obstructions.
Its not just older homes, though.
Bamboo, he said, can cause a lot of line damage.
You might also look intowater and sewer line insurance.
Again, if you have an older home, this might be a smart option.
Beyond that, termites can causesevere structural damage to your homewhich gets even pricier to fix.
Know the signs of termite damage to begin with.
It may be that your water heater just needs repairing, though.
HouseLogic explains:
Because water heaters contain few moving parts, only a few things can go wrong.
Pilot light on gas water heater flickers out.Circuit breaker for an electric heater trips.Burner or heating element fails.Theromostat breaks.
Water heaters dont last forever, though.
The International Association of Home Inspectors says theaverage lifespan of a water heater is ten years.
Inan IBHS study, water heaters older than 20 years old accounted for 95% of water heater claims.
You should inspect your water heater annually to check that its running properly.
This Old House has auseful step-by-step guide to do this.
The video above shows you how its done.
Homeownership can be expensive, even when you just considerthe regular maintenance involvedwith it.
Its a lot more expensive, however, when you ignore that maintenance altogether.
Illustration by: Angelica Alzona
