Expecting the Unexpected
& Preparing For Them
Homeownership comes with loads of responsibility, and we’re not just talking about bills, chores, and cooking. A home requires regular maintenance which, if you were renting, would be taken care of by property management. But with your house, you’re the manager. Unclogging the sink drain or toilet, installing door knobs or light switches, or cleaning out the gutters become routine projects when necessary. Otherwise you’re spending money to have someone else do the minor tasks. These things are typically what a homeowner would expect to deal with over time.
What about those unexpected issues around the house?
Here are a few household maintenance items to prepare yourself for – because they can end up being expensive to fix or replace!
- Hot Water Heater
Keep an eye on your hot water heater. If you’re buying a home, make sure to check out the heater for its age and any repairs that might be needed. If your water heater has a lifespan of 9 or 10 years, start thinking about replacing it before it breaks. We’ve heard of water heaters lasting much longer, even up to 30 years! This isn’t always the case though, and with a price tag anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 to install a new tank and piping you definitely want to be prepared should you need a new hot water heater!
- Roof and Shingles
Pop your head into the attic every once in a while to check out your roof. Keep an eye on potential water leaks or any holes/cracks that pests could get in. Grab a ladder and pop up onto the roof and take a walk around. Do you have missing or damaged singles? Are the gutters cleared out and holding strong onto the roof? Keeping an eye on your roof’s health can prepare you for $1,000-$8,000 for repairs or replacing damaged parts!
- Trees & Tree Limbs
Slow growing trees can become a problem over time. Limbs can intertwine with power lines or grow overtop of your house, and should a big snowstorm hit the area you could be looking at truly unexpected damages, loss of power, and big bills. Removing trees or limbs is far less expensive than repairing damaged buildings. Take a walk around and look at potentially problematic trees and contact your local arborist. If you’re looking for tree removals, you could be looking at pricing between $500 – $800 per tree. Limb removal is typically cheaper.
- Main Sewer Line
This is an item most newer homes don’t have to worry about, but for older homes, especially in Old Town Longmont, it’s important to keep an eye on your main sewer line. Older homes may have clay pipes, which tree roots can permeate in search for water. With tree roots comes major clogs and back ups. If you’re looking at buying a home, have a plumber inspect the main line. If you’ve been in your home for a while, have your main sewer snaked out every few years. You’ll be happier with that expense rather than sewage backing up in your basement.
- Windows
This is always the last thing people think about when thinking “home maintenance projects” but it can be one that may be worthwhile. If you have older windows, take a look at the seams and edges. Make sure there are no cracks in the caulking, evidence of water damage on the walls (either inside or outside), or any other issues that may be present. Replacing a houseful of windows can be costly, but it can save you lots of money on heating in the winter! And if you’ve found water damage anywhere around the windows then you should definitely look into replacing them. Leaks only get worse!
Your home is your biggest asset. It can also be quite expensive maintaining a well functioning home, but once those expenses are taken care of you really don’t have anything to worry about for a long time – you know, aside from the regular chores.
