Issues with homes are bound to pop up no matter how well you care for your home. Some issues are minor, while others can actually make the home be dangerous to be in. It’s not uncommon to procrastinate on certain repairs, but others definitely need to be dealt with sooner rather than later, including the following.
1. Gas Leaks
There is absolutely no time to wait around to rectify a potential gas leak. That’s because gas is highly flammable, and if it starts to leak into your home, a fire or explosion can occur when it comes in contact with an open flame or even a tiny spark. Gas leaks may occur if a gas pipe is damaged, such as when an underground gas line is accidentally damaged after digging. It’s always important to call the gas company before doing any digging in order to identify exactly where these buried gas lines are located.
However, if the damage is already done and gas begins to leak, it’s imperative to vacate the home right away and call the gas company to report the leak so that it can be rectified immediately. This is one home repair that you can’t afford to put off.
2. Mold
Not only is mold unsightly, it’s also dangerous if it is inhaled over long periods of time. Mold is produced in the presence of moisture and can then reproduce through tiny spores. These spores are not visible to the naked eye and can become airborne and easily inhaled by occupants of the home.
Mold needs moisture grow, which is why any wet areas are the perfect places for it to spread. If it’s given time to fester, mold can cause nasal congestion, eye and throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, and potentially more serious upper respiratory issues such as lung cancer.
If you detect any mold in your home, it needs to be dealt with right away. Don’t tackle this job on your own. Instead, professionals in mold removal will come prepared with the right equipment, including facemasks rated for black mold spore protection and proper attire that completely covers all parts of the body. They also use specialized techniques to handle and remove mold in order to ensure all spores are completely eradicated and any chances of reoccurrence are eliminated.
3. Plumbing Leaks
Not only do leaky pipes waste a ton of water, they can also cause plenty of damage to your home. Burst pipes are obvious emergencies that can cause indoor flooding and should clearly be dealt with on the spot. However, even pipes that have a slower leak can wreak havoc in your home and therefore require immediate attention.
A number of issues can arise as a result of leaky plumbing. In addition to providing an ideal environment for mold, moisture and pooled water as a result of leaky pipes can also damage various components of your home, including walls, ceilings, floors, electrical wiring, furniture, and belongings. The moment you become aware of a leaking pipe, a licensed plumber should be called in to check out the situation.
4. Leaking Roof
For much the same reasons that leaky plumbing pipes should be fixed right away, so should a leaky roof. The whole purpose of a roof is protect the home from outside elements, including rain and snow. A defective roof can allow water from precipitation to enter the home and cause damage to its interior components as well as create a moist environment for mold to develop. If your roof is no longer doing its job and is allowing water in, it’s time to have it fixed or replaced altogether.
5. Electrical Problems
If you notice any noise coming from your electrical system or find that the wires are hot to the touch, there may be something wrong with the electricals that warrant further investigation. Even more alarming are burning smells coming from electrical wiring, which is especially dangerous and requires immediate attention.
If your home is older, you might want to verify the type of electrical wiring that’s lurking behind your walls. Not only can old wiring be obsolete, it can also pose a fire hazard. Knob-and-tube wiring and aluminum wiring may have been popular decades ago, but they’re both considered dangerous as they can easily start a fire, particularly if they are overloaded with too many appliances. An electrician should be called under any of these circumstances to inspect the wiring and make any necessary changes or repairs to ensure a fire hazard no longer exists.
6. Cracks in the Foundation
Any cracks that are visible in the foundation of a home are not only ugly to look at, they can also be problematic for the home’s structure. While small cracks may be nothing to worry about, larger cracks can indicate structural trouble. And if cracks wrap around a corner, go from the floor to the top of the foundation wall, or are located beneath crippling walls and sloping floors, these signs point to moving soil that’s taking the foundation right along with it.
A structural engineer or foundation repair firm will need to be called in if there are obvious large cracks in the foundation. Failure to address these issues early on can translate into much more in-depth and expensive repairs down the road.
The Bottom Line
Putting off fixing chipped tiles or touching up nail holes in the drywall is perfectly fine, but there are other issues in a home that warrant immediate attention. Not only can problems like the ones mentioned above compromise the integrity of your home, they can even put you and your family in danger. If you’re going to focus your home repair dollars on just a few things, make sure these issues make the cut.
