Owning a home is a goal we all have on our life’s to-do list. Some people reach this goal early in their lives, while others work tirelessly and never achieve what they initially set out to. For homeowners, the struggle doesn’t stop when you buy the house.
Not only do you have to work towards mortgage payments, but now you need to watch out for maintenance costs around the house. They may be few and far between, but when they come up, they can take a solid chunk of cash out of your bank account.
Hence the reason why you need to know a few DIY tips for home maintenance. Not only are these going to save you money in the long run, but it’s always good to take charge of your house’s maintenance when you can.
With that said, we will be talking about five tips that could save you a bunch of money down the line.
Seal the windows during the rainy season
With the stormy season upon us, you may want to check if your windows are adequately sealed. Leaking windows can let in water, and when you have unwanted water in the house, problems are soon to follow. Once you have water damage, costs shoot up.
You have to get rid of the water, remove the mold and then look at the structural damage it has caused.
A good Water Damage Advisor shouldn’t cost you too much, and it’s worth it in the long run.
It’s best to grab a silicone gun and tend to it yourself before calling in the pros. Seal the window frames and flatten the silicone with your finger when you’re done so that it doesn’t look unsightly. That is how a few tens of dollars for silicone and a gun can end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.
Insulate the doors
One of the most irritating issues about air conditioning is when the cool air escapes from under the door. You might think it isn’t a big deal, but wasting cool air can cost you hundreds of dollars annually.
The more air you lose under the door, the quicker the room warms up, and the sooner you will have to turn the cooling on again.
A straightforward solution to this is buying a rubber panel and installing it under the door. This prevents the cool air from escaping the room and maintains the inner temperature for considerably longer.
With summer blazing down, it’s hard to live without air conditioning. The solution isn’t to regulate your AC usage; it’s to find low-cost ways of keeping the room cool for longer.
Take care of your appliances
It’s generally a good idea to call in a technician every six months to check on home appliances. Your fridge, washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher could be costing you more than you may realize. If they aren’t working correctly, they may use more electricity than they should.
It may not seem like much, but if you have several faulty appliances, your electric bill could go up significantly every month. It would be best to call in a technician and check if they are running correctly. If they can turn the voltage down to get the same or relative performance out of the machine, then you should consider it. The device is likely to work better, last longer, and save electricity over time.
Save water
If you notice that the toilet is constantly flowing, you have leaking taps; it’s time to get plumbing. You need to check the float valve in your bathroom’s sewage system to ensure that the water stops flowing in the tank when it’s full.
Fix leaking faucets by opening the heads, cleaning them, and resealing them with insulation tape or a bit of thread in the grooves. If you have more significant issues, consider calling in a professional plumber. A one-time cost is likely to save you more in the long run than the inflated water bills that you get every month.
Other than that, we are in a global water crisis, and things aren’t looking better. Save water wherever you can. You are not only cutting costs but also playing a part in the global water conservation effort. Remember, we all have a role to play.
Trim the trees
A lovely green garden is something we all want for our house, however, make sure it’s maintained, and the tree branches don’t extend too far. You may not realize it, but a fair number of roof damage incidents in America occur because branches or entire tilting trees fall over onto the house. The worst-case scenario is that you have severe roof damage. In most cases, if the tree falls and takes the roof, it will also damage the walls and all your furniture.
Not only does this cost thousands of dollars to repair, but it can be potentially deadly for unsuspecting family members who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you have a leaning tree or branches growing too far out, grab a chainsaw and get to work.
When doing so, you must maintain your safety. Wear proper gear, ensure that your harness is secure, and try to keep a friend or family member nearby to help you out. In an attempt to save money, it would be tragic if you hurt yourself. Not only do you have to take time off of work, but medical bills can cost a fortune.
Conclusion
There we have some of the best essential tips for home maintenance to save money. It’s great that you are trying DIY solutions, but sometimes you need to call in the pros. For more minor issues, it’s okay to try things yourself; however, if you try your hand at more significant problems, you could risk your safety (and others) and end up making a bad situation worse.
Calling in the pros means a one-time expense that will most likely get the situation sorted. Save where you can, but remain realistic about the extent of the job and where your limits lie.
