Do you cringe at the thought of home repairs? Your mortgage payment already keeps you on your toes. Imagine adding home repairs that will leave a dent in your wallet!
All homes require some upkeep. However, there are affordable ways to keep your home in good shape. We’ve curated these tips to help keep your home in tip-top shape without breaking the bank.
So, check out our 13 tips for keeping your home maintenance costs low. You’ll be surprised at how easy most of these are to do.
Plan for Current and Future Expenses
Proper planning minimizes financial headaches in the present and future. Without regular upkeep, broken pipes, blocked drainages, and roof leaks can occur.
When planning for expenses, the money you allocate to a property should be equivalent to its age. Old houses require more maintenance than newer properties.
Get in the Nooks and Crannies
Find time to inspect your home’s most essential elements. A DIY inspection could save you thousands of dollars.
Look for cracks in the foundation, downspout extensions, and shaggy bushes or limbs that may bang against your house and cause damage. Identify these faults and correct them before they turn into costly repairs.
Shop for Your Materials Online
Keeping maintenance costs low means getting the best deals. Online prices are often better than those in a physical store, so long as you don’t need a part immediately.
For instance, a faucet that sells for $1400 in a hardware store could go for $900 online. Take time to research and pay attention to the quality of your products to ensure you get the best deal.
Do It Yourself!
A Bloomberg report states that DIY repairs are skyrocketing due to their cost-effectiveness. Carrying out simple maintenance tasks can save you money in the long run.
A fresh coat of paint always works wonders, and adjusting a door seal is simpler than you might think. With so many great tutorial videos online, you might be surprised by how many projects you can manage without calling in an expert.
Don’t Procrastinate
Putting off repairs makes them more costly. Things like water and electricity never improve with time. The longer you put off replacing that roof leak, the more damage will be done and the more you’ll have to pay to get it repaired.
Go Energy Efficient
Energy efficiency is one of the most valued elements of cost-effective home maintenance. Replacing incandescent bulbs with energy-saving LED counterparts will reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills.
If you change shower heads and toilets to those that consume less water, you won’t need to spend a lot of cash replacing faulty, inefficient systems.
Don’t Keep Plumbing a Mystery
Well-maintained plumbing will help your water system run smoothly through the years. Turn off the water entirely during repairs to avoid waste or further damage, and replace aerators to boost water efficiency.
You should also keep a map of your home’s waterlines to see where all the pipes are and be aware when damage occurs.
Clean Your Gutters
Clogged gutters are a nuisance that causes blockage and overflow. If you don’t take the time to clear the leaves and debris obstructing free-flowing water on your property, you’ll suffer extensive damage and the infestation of mold, mildew, and insects.
Research states that the average cost of gutter maintenance is $3,300; fully repairing and replacing blocked gutters can cost upward of $13,000.
Check Your Roof Regularly
A damaged roof can cost thousands in repair. To prevent hefty expenses, inspect your roof for shingles and loose flashing.
Leaks get worse before they get better; repair them immediately. Also, watch for mold and mildew, as they damage the roof and pose a significant health concern.
Caulk It!
Caulk is a cheap, easy-to-use tool that seals openings and prevents water from accessing your home. It helps you fight water damage before it occurs.
Caulking will age as your house ages. Regularly inspect windows and door frames to identify cracked or missing caulk. Inspection ensures any openings are caulked and sealed tight.
Keep Leftover Material
When you complete your building or maintenance project, you’ll always have leftover nuts, bolts, screws, planks of wood, and other essential bits of hardware.
Organize and store these items, as they’ll be helpful for future maintenance and repairs and save you money by not having to buy them.
Install and Invest Wisely
If you want to save money on home maintenance, consider the long-term impacts of your installations. Invest in quality items with good reviews and get good warranties to minimize maintenance costs over the life of the products.
Settle for eco-friendly choices as they use less energy and money over time. Choose battery-powered tools over electrical ones, as they are environmentally friendly and perform well.
Prevent Where You Can
Proper preventive maintenance will save you costly repairs. Neglecting basic preventive tasks around your property will always result in damage.
Clean out those HVAC filters regularly, check the drains, mow the lawn, and do all you can to ensure everything works well. While preventive maintenance takes time and effort, it’s worth it, as it will keep money in your bank account.
13 Home Renovations That Are Not Worth the Money
There’s something to be said about making your home your own. However, certain renovation projects simply aren’t worth the money and time invested.
Being pragmatic about the projects you decide to invest in around your home can be a considerable challenge. There’s always the temptation to add the features you’ve dreamed of having. Then there’s the reality of costs, maintenance, and the long-term appeal of realizing your dream.
I approached compiling the way I would suggest anyone start when contemplating a renovation. I dug into years of real estate sale and construction data from the last few decades to see how costs have fluctuated compared to buyer demand for certain home features. These were the resounding renovation losers, not worth the money.
If you’re a bargain shopper, Aldi is likely on your list of go-to places to buy groceries. Frugal shoppers everywhere love the deals they find at Aldis.
For a solo Aldi shopper, perusing the frozen section involves grabbing fundamental essentials. The ease of Fusia Asian Inspirations shrimp-and-avocado rolls and Kirkwood chicken breasts makes them go-to meal options. Indulging in dessert, they prefer the Sundae Shoppe keto ice cream in peanut butter-fudge flavor.
One Aldi employee offers insights and valuable recommendations on the top 15 frozen section items to enhance the shopping experience. If you’re a regular Aldi shopper, you will love the finds on this list. If you’re not, perhaps this list will change your mind.
15 Bizarre Items That People Bought and Sold on eBay
We all have an eBay account, but who still uses the platform? Traditionally, eBay was the go-to website to sell and buy used items. Now, there are many marketplaces for second-hand items, but eBay is the place where weirdness abounds. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen on eBay? I can bet it wasn’t as weird as some of these items.
Source: 13 Must-Know Tips for Keeping Home Maintenance Costs Low
