When you’re a homeowner, it can feel like a never-ending to-do list. But there are some things that are more important than others, and skipping out on them can cost you down the line. Today we’ll go over a few of these mistakes that homeowners make, so that you can at least be forewarned and prepared if something bad happens to your home (and hopefully know how to prevent it from happening in the first place).
Letting your home’s exterior deteriorate
When you let your home’s exterior deteriorate, it can cause significant damage to the structures and lead to cracks, leaks, and more. Here are some common issues that result from neglecting your home’s exterior:
- Cracks in stucco, brick, or stone walls
- Decaying wood siding and trim boards
- Painted surfaces chipping off or peeling away
Preventing these problems is simple! Just make sure you keep up on routine maintenance like sealing stucco with a sealant designed for that purpose. It’s also important not just to have the right materials but also to apply them correctly—for example, if painting over old paint that hasn’t been properly removed first (known as “back side” coverage).
Not having your home inspected regularly
Don’t make the mistake of not doing a home inspection. If you’re buying a new home, you should have it inspected before closing. A good inspector will check for natural disaster hazards (such as floods), structural problems, and safety issues that could come up in the future. He’ll also inspect items like plumbing and electrical wiring to make sure those systems are working correctly.
Home inspectors are recommended for older homes because they may need repairs or replacements soon after moving into them; having an inspection can help you avoid unexpected costs down the line. It’s also important to have inspections done on homes around every three years (the frequency varies depending on where you live), especially if there have been major changes made since previous ones—this will ensure everything is still working properly and has not deteriorated beyond repairability due to wear and tear over time!
Not understanding the importance of homeowners insurance
Homeowners insurance is the most important thing you can do to protect your home and your family. It protects you from a variety of different risks, including fire, theft, and even medical emergencies.
However, there are many homeowners who don’t understand the importance of this type of protection. They may be under the impression that their mortgage lender will cover them if anything happens to their home, or they might think they don’t need it because they don’t have much in the way of assets or investments.
The truth is that even if you don’t own anything of value, you still need a home insurance policy. But, what does home insurance cover? Homeowners insurance protects you from financial loss if your house is damaged or destroyed by an event not caused by you. It also provides liability coverage in case someone is injured on your property or sues you because of an accident on your property.
The following are some examples of events that are typically covered by homeowners insurance:
- Fire, lightning, or explosion
- Windstorm or hail
- Riot or civil commotion
- Explosion
- Aircraft and vehicles (but not their contents)
- Smoke damage from a fire in another part of the building
- Theft (including attempted theft) and vandalism if the loss is not covered by other insurance policies such as automobile insurance or renters insurance.
Neglecting insulation or energy efficiency upgrades
Most homeowners forget it, but insulation is an important part of any home improvement project. It keeps your home warm in winter and cool in summer, which means it can reduce your energy bills. Insulation can be added to the attic, walls, and floors of your house. In addition to improving the comfort of your home from within, insulation also helps prevent moisture buildup on the inside of walls and ceilings, as well as prevents heat loss through windows.
Leaving gutters clogged or unattended
Gutter maintenance is an important part of homeownership. Not only does it ensure that your home looks good from the outside, but it also helps to prevent damage from occurring. Here are some reasons why you should be making sure that your gutters are in good shape:
- Gutters can cause water damage: If you have clogged gutters, water will accumulate and potentially leak into walls or underneath floors. This can lead to mold development, which can create issues in both health and structural integrity issues. If this happens in a basement, then it could result in structural problems with the foundation itself!
- Gutters can cause roof damage: As with any other part of your house, if there’s something wrong with the roof or gutter system, then water will run straight off instead of draining properly down into them as intended—and that means leaks! Leaks mean costly repairs (or worse).
According to Fast Affordable Restoration water damage restoration santee company, cleaning and maintaining the gutter is essential to keeping your home away from unforeseen water damage. Keep it clean, and you can live worry-free.
Scheduling regular roof inspections can identify potential issues early, preventing costly damage and extending the life of your roof.
Conclusion
It’s easy to forget about your house sometimes, but if you start paying a bit more attention now, it could save you from some serious issues down the line. Make sure you get regular inspections of your home and yard, and contact someone when there is an issue. Also, remember that your insurance will only cover certain things, so make sure you know what those are before something happens!
