CLEVELAND — Homeowners know that a whole load of things can go wrong on a regular basis.
And with some problems, if you don't fix them right away, that small headache could turn into an expensive migraine. Danielle Serino spoke to an expert about what you should fix right away and what you can wait on to keep your home from turning into a money pit.
In order to avoid massive expenses there are some smart choices you can make right now to keep you from spending a ton of cash later.
First up: Wet, damp or leaky basements
People spend thousands of dollars on waterproofing after they discover a puddle downstairs.
But the smart choice is taking the steps now to keep the water out in the first place.
"The best way to do that,” says ASHI Certfied home inspector Christopher Ebbeson, “is controlling the water through gutters, making sure your gutters are clean, everything's draining properly, and through the grading or the ground around your house."
Next: poor attic ventilation
You may not go up there a lot...but you need to keep out excess heat and moisture.
“If there isn’t good ventilation in a house, that can lead to a whole host of problems,” Ebbeson says. “It can lead to ice damming, it can lead to mold growth."
If you find any of that - including higher energy bills - you've got a problem.
Ebbeson says another thing to look out for this time of year is a buildup of snow on your roof.
"If your neighbors have snow on their roof and you don't, that's an indication that you might have a ventilation problem because that heat gets through the insulation,” he says.
It adds up. You could spend more than $1000 buying and installing attic fans or vents; more if you get mold.
But the smart choice is improving insulation and plugging gaps where air is leaking into the attic from the main floors.
Ebbeson says make sure you don’t cover vents or the soffits of the eaves because that lack of ventilation could really cut down on the life expectancy of your roof.
Speaking of your roof, most should last 20 to 25 years. But when there's a leak, some homeowners get convinced to replace the whole roof!
Spending, on average, more than $7,000.
The smart choice is to check your flashing first. And then check it again every few years.
"Anything that sticks through the roof you have a flashing that goes around it,” Ebbeson says. “The water flows down the roof and around things like chimneys, plumbing vents, roof vents and bathroom fan vents.”
While you’re up there, you may see damaged shingles or granules in gutters that could suggest the end is near. But by making some minor repairs, Ebbeson says you can buy yourself time.
"If you see that metal starting to separate or that sealant sealant starting to crack that should be touched up,” he advises. “And oftentimes just taking care of those can be a lot cheaper than having to get a whole new roof."
All of these repairs we mentioned you can do yourself. But if they're severe, that's when you probably need a professional.
Curious about what to fix and what to replace with some of the possessions in your life? 3News would love your input! Whether you want to hear about car repairs or things to improve your home’s value, reach us at confidential@wkyc.com or 216-344-3380
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