Everyone’s done it at some point – putting off home repairs. Sometimes, there’s a compelling reason. There may be more important things that demand your time and money. Sometimes, people put off repairs simply because ‘they can wait.’
Well, although it’s not really advisable to put off any kind of repair, especially if you want to prevent a more costly and tedious consequence down the road, some repairs are more important not to delay than others. If you encounter any one of these, make sure you don’t put them off.
Dirty Fridge
Okay, this doesn’t require repairs… yet. But that’s all the more reason not to put off cleaning your fridge. Modern refrigerators only require a press of a button to defrost. Aside from that though, the coils under or behind your fridge can accumulate dust, debris and even pet hair. Because of these obstructions, your fridge may be overperforming to compensate. This won’t only result in higher energy consumption and more expensive power bills, over time, the performance of your fridge will deteriorate until you’ll have to buy a new one.
Clogged Pipes
This is one mess you don’t want to put off. Aside from possibly wasting water, in some cases, these can cause floods that can damage appliances and parts of your home if left alone, especially when you’re out of the house. Whenever you spot a clogged pipe or drain, there’s a good chance that pressure is building up elsewhere in the system. Eventually, the pressure becomes too much for the system to handle and causes a leak or even a gush. Don’t wait for this to happen. If you don’t feel equipped to deal with these issues, you can always tap professional drain cleaning services. Aside from cleaning, they’ll also notify you of possible leaks in your pipes.
Dirty Dryer
According to the US Fire Administration, every year, 2900 dryers catch fire which leads to about $35 million worth of damages around the country. They also reported that the leading cause of these fires is the failure to clean them. Most of these fires occur during the fall and winter months. Don’t put off taking out lint and other materials in your dryer just because it’s cold. Leaving your dryer dirty poses a real danger for your family and community.
Termites
Once you spot a termite, chances are there is already an infestation. Although these insects are tiny, the damage they can cause to the structure of your home is big. In fact, according to How Stuff Works, these tiny monsters cause the US around $5 billion in damages every year. Don’t take them for granted and hire an exterminator once you determine their presence. Here’s Orkin with some telltale signs there are termites in your home.
Rotting Wood
Wood is prone to rotting especially if it has a lot of exposure to moisture and little exposure to sunlight. The decks, sidings, and other wooden parts of your home can rot over time when their coating comes off. Rotten wood can cause handrails to wobble and pose danger. It can also cause various parts of the house further damage. For best results, always check whether the wooden parts of your home are still resistant to moisture. You can also consult with experts on home exteriors to be sure.
Never put off fixing these issues in your home. Leaving them alone can be costly, tedious, and even dangerous in the future.