Home maintenance that you shouldn't ignore

There are a multitude of advantages to owning your own home, but the one glaring disadvantage is that you can’t simply call the landlord when something needs fixing and, although cosmetic repairs can be postponed, there are some repairs which should never be ignored.

“Every home is likely to have at least one thing that needs fixing,” says Claude McKirby, Co-Principal of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty in the Southern Suburbs and False Bay, “and whilst issues like chipped kitchen countertops are merely unattractive, other problems could become extremely costly – or even dangerous – down the line.

He adds that even if you aren’t planning to sell in the near future, if you let maintenance slide, when you do eventually decide to put your home on the market, you could be in for a rude shock at the cost of making all the necessary repairs.

McKirby says that whilst many issues can be ignored for several months – or even years – the following problems should be addressed as soon as they arise:

Slow drips or leaks

A slow drip can quickly turn into an expensive leak so always call in a professional immediately if you spot any signs of moisture damage on your ceilings or walls or notice any mould growth. The same applies to taps that constantly drip because, although a leaky faucet is unlikely to cause structural damage, it can quickly drive up your utility bill.

Roof repairs

The roof of your home is always going to be under a lot of stress as it’s constantly exposed to the elements and this can lead to all kinds of problems, from simple leaks to damage caused by falling branches and trees. And damage to a roof will always get worse and often very quickly, so never ignore any signs of damage.

Clogged gutters

Homes with gutters are prone to clogging due to the growth of algae and the accumulation of leaves and other debris and most issues are avoided with regular cleaning to assure a free water flow.

However, it’s a task that is easily forgotten about and often avoided, especially in winter and can quickly lead to much bigger problems such as roof leaks. Also, consider adding gutter guards to keep out leaves and debris and attend to out-of-place shingles and cracks on time. 

Electrical faults

This is one of the most dangerous problems you can have because not only can it cause damage to your property it can also put your family at risk so it’s definitely not something that you should ignore until it becomes a serious problem.

Damp spots

This is usually an indication that you have a leaking pipe in your ceiling or in your walls and therefore a potentially serious plumbing issue. If the spot gets worse after rain, then you probably have a leaking roof. Either way, don’t delay these repairs as these issues will only get worse over time.

Structural issues

The foundation of a critical part of the entire structure, and also one of the most expensive to repair.

And, whilst a few minor cracks may only be a sign of settling in the home, never ignore larger cracks as they could be a sign of serious structural problems with the foundation and they need to be check out thoroughly.

The easiest way to check the foundation is from the basement, but if this isn’t possible, looking at the door frames throughout the home can give you an idea if a house is experiencing structural problems. If they don’t appear to be square or doors seem to have difficulty closing, you need to consider commissioning a structural survey.

“Keeping to a regular maintenance schedule will help ensure you can handle many of the necessary repairs yourself without having to call in expensive experts,” advises McKirby.

“The best way to do so is to create a home maintenance checklist that includes regular home maintenance tasks to be done on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.

“In doing so, you will not only extend the life of almost everything in your home, you will also potentially save a lot of money over time. And some tasks can be broken up and done over time which will be easier and cheaper, both in the short and long-term.