Deal With The Minor Home Repairs Early!
As the owner of My Handyman Repairs and co-owner of Home Exterior Systems in Houston, I have answered thousands of calls from homeowners in the Houston area. After sharing details about their home problems, far too many folks kick the can down the road and wait to repair what would have been relatively minor problems. The reasons vary, but often it’s just the inconvenience of the timing. Sometimes, it’s financial. Other times, the delay is precautionary, assuming the worst, and realizing that it may be an expensive project. “We’re going to wait a bit to save and pay cash,” they say. Here’s the thing: with many home repairs, especially ones involving leaks, stains, cracks, moisture, condensation, dripping, or rain, don’t put it off. Deal with the minor repairs early before they become major ( read, expensive ) problems.
Procrastination May Be Costly
I’ve seen it so many times that it’s heartbreaking. A small stain on the ceiling of the utility room didn’t seem that bad, so the customer opted to wait for months before having us take a look. What would have been a roof and ventilation repair became a major mold and mildew remediation job inside the walls and attic, on top of the original moisture issues. Waiting created a significantly bigger and more costly problem. This is but one example, I could fill a book with this stuff!
Rotted Wood, Flaking Paint, and Parts Blowing Off The House
When you find a shingle in your yard after a storm, by all means call somebody to come take a look. Paint that is flaking in wood trim around your garage or where your patio cover attaches to your home is another good reason to call someone right away. The sooner you catch rotting wood due to moisture or insects, the better. Trust me, it will only get more expensive to fix if you wait.
Family Security and Safety May Be At Stake
Sometimes, small signs of home repair problems are indicative of something that can become a safety issue. Especially when it comes to stairs or steps on elevated patios and decks, a small rotten area at the bottom of the support posts may indicate a bigger problem. Rotted wood failure and deck collapse are among the top causes of injury or even death to homeowners and their families in the US, according to the CPSC. Get out there and check those decks!
Timely Maintenance Like Cleaning Rain Gutters And Re-caulking Matters!
You might be surprised how many home maintenance tasks get overlooked. For example, sealing and painting exterior walls. Do you know how long a good quality paint and caulk will last on a Houston home? Once you hit the ten-year mark, you really should have all your caulked joints and paint checked. Ten years go fast for most of us, a flash for me! And, while we’re talking maintenance, how about those rain gutters? How about those rose bushes, shrubs, or tree branches rubbing the wall or roof?
Ok, Hopefully, You Get The Message: Don’t Wait!
I will quit now, so you don’t think I’m being too much of a nag. But, seriously, please, please, please don’t put off your home repairs. A half-day rate for a handyman can be surprisingly affordable, and the work is top-notch. And, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing you’re caught up. So remember, deal with home repair problems early!
