A Perfect Guide on Home Repair Types and Renovations
Taking on a renovation project is an excellent idea to breathe new life into an old home. However, this process is massive and requires you to think well in advance.
So, make sure you prepare before your enthusiasm gets the better of you. That way, the process will be smooth and kind to your budget. Today, we’re running through the ins and outs of home repairs.
Types of Home Repairs:
These types depend on the reason you’re starting your project in the first place. While it’s not necessary to determine your causes, doing so will help you highlight the areas that need the most focus.
Also Read: Home Filled With Creative Landscaping and Lawn Repair
Health and Safety Repairs:
You must attend to the issues that risk your health and safety. Such problems include loose walls, fire or flood hazards, and similar. You may have bought a house whose previous owner wasn’t careful about these areas, or they developed over time.
Major Repairs:
There may be an eyesore on the exterior wall or a similar issue that’s been bothering you for years.
Although it doesn’t compromise your safety, it’s something to deal with before it grows into an even more significant issue. Besides, it’s a relief to solve such problems, making you more satisfied with your house.
Aesthetic Improvements:
Remodeling some functional, but dated, parts of your house is an excellent way to add value to your life. Most of these don’t even hurt your pocket much but still do wonders – think of paint jobs and new carpeting.
Besides, you might even hold a DIY weekend where you make your house a brighter and more pleasant place.
Budgeting:
Before starting your project, you need to research the costs of your planned renovations. Determine the extent of the work and create a detailed financial schedule to make sure your project is financially viable.
If you find that you can’t afford it, consider taking out a home improvement loan. However, before you do this, work out how you’ll repay it, so you don’t regret ever starting the project.
Also, try to be realistic about what work you can afford to do, both in terms of money and time. If a part of your house isn’t habitable, prioritize making it safe and dry. If everything works but you want to freshen up a room, pick one and start with it.
It’s better than getting overwhelmed and losing money for seeing through a piece of work you realized you don’t even want to do, but too late.
What Must You Fix?
There are several house-related problems that, if you don’t fix them on time, snowball into much larger issues. Here are some of the most significant examples.
Leaky Pipes:
If you notice water spots on the wall or ceiling, this may mean your pipes are leaking, or you have water coming from the inside. Check whether the water spot is always present – if yes, it is likely a plumbing issue, and an urgent one.
Don’t leave this unfixed, as it will affect a more substantial area over time and even encourage mold.
Broken Roof:
Most people delay replacing the roof until it’s already leaking or showing an above-average amount of wear and tear. However, the elements can lead to significant structural or interior damage if they enter your home.
The lifespan of your roof depends on several factors, but the material plays the most considerable role. Wood shake tends to last as long as 30 years, while asphalt shingle about 20.
Don’t rely only on these guidelines, though, but check it every once in a while and start planning if you notice too much damage on your roof.
Exterior Siding and Painting:
You’ll need to replace exterior siding after a few decades of living in your home. There are four main types of siding available on the market – vinyl, clapboard, aluminum, and wood. Speak with a contractor to get more detail about this repair, as it’s costly and longterm.
Painting is more straightforward and cheaper, but you need to do it more often. The good news is that you could do it yourself for a much lower price.
The Bottom Line:
A home renovation project is a scary beast to tackle, but it can mean so much in the long term. Renovating now means saving money later, and it raises your satisfaction levels. It makes you happier both now and later.
As a rule of thumb, if you don’t have money for everything, focus on the areas that may make life in your home impossible in the future if you don’t handle them. When it comes to aesthetic repairs, many simple, cost-effective upgrades do wonders.
Either way, make sure that you lay out a detailed plan before you begin to achieve the best possible results.