Home Problems You Need to Nip in the Bud Home Improvement Home Security by Anica Oaks - September 3, 2014September 3, 2014 4 Home Problems You Need to Nip in the Bud…… ….or You’ll Pay Big They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that’s just as true in home maintenance as it is in health. Some problems might hold while you consider what to do about them, but others will get out of hand if not addressed quickly. 1. Clogged Rain Gutters This may seem like a tiny problem, but it can end up costing you big. When gutters become clogged, they get heavy and may start to sag or even pull free of your house, but that’s not the worst problem. The worst problem is that the storm water is now being held next to your roof and directed toward the foundation of your home. This can lead to rot and mold developingin your roof and in cracks in the foundation. These are huge, expensive problems that could be prevented with a ladder, a pair of gloves, and an afternoon. Image Source: Flickr 2. Roof Leaks It is important to keep your roof in top repair to prevent damaging water from getting into your home. Roof repair work will often cost around $700 to $1,000 which is steep, but still a bargain when compared to the $15,000 you can expect to pay for a full replacement when the mold, weathering, or water pooling is allowed to affect the whole roof, not to mention the water damage leaks can cause inside your home. 3. Water Leaks Plumbing problems can become expensive fast. A small leak in a faucet can waste gallons of water a month and cost you on your utility bill. Small pipe leaks can become worse if ignored and result in highly damaging flooding. Large leaks from appliances like the dishwasher or washing machine can result in huge mold and mildew issues that require weeks of professional care to solve. Mold and mildew removal will run you about $3,000 dollars per affected wall. Calling a professional, like Need-A-Plumber Canada in Calgary or a professional in your area, will help you solve the problem while it’s still small and inexpensive. 4. Heating and Cooling Issues If your HVAC—heating, ventilation and air conditioning system—is costing more electricity per month, running constantly, making rattling or grinding noises, or not heating or cooling the home evenly, it’s time to get it repaired. Repairing an ailing HVAC system will cost in the hundreds while replacing a system that has broken completely will cost thousands. You’ll also be paying anywhere from a few extra dollars to hundreds more in electricity each month until the problem machine is fixed. In addition, frozen or burst pipes in the winter or mold and mildew in the summer can result in an absence of proper air conditioning, raising that repair bill significantly. While spending money on repairs may seem daunting, it’s better to spend a little now than spend a lot down the road.