The “money pit” — a home that looks like a winner but eventually comes down with expensive problem after expensive problem — is every homeowner’s nightmare. Fortunately, you can keep your home from developing budget-busting problems by taking a few wise precautions and making some minor repairs. Let’s look at some examples.

Plumbing Issues

A plumbing problem doesn’t always make itself evident until you lose water pressure or major flooding occurs in your home, by which point you’ve bought yourself major repairs or renovations. Preventive maintenance can help detect small plumbing issues before they can turn into large ones. In the spring months, for instance, you’re well advised to have your sewer line inspected for possible cracks or blockages in the making. Periodic inspections of the pipes and lines within your home enable you to correct small leaks or other component failures before they lead to serious water damage, termite infestation, and mold buildup.

HVAC Maintenance

Your central air conditioning system works hard to circulate air and moderate temperatures in your home, and that hard work can lead to hard wear over time. Dirty ducts or air filters, for instance, will not only reduce your HVAC system’s efficiency, but they can also force your family members to inhale dust, dander, mold, and other unhealthy allergens. Blocked filters also require you to run your system harder to get the desired effect, shortening its lifespan. Annual HVAC inspections can pinpoint these and other problems, giving you a chance to fix them and avoid a total system breakdown when you least want it — such as the dog days of summer.

Electrical Inspections

We tend to take a home’s electrical system for granted as this hidden network that magically powers our appliances as needed. But the older your home’s wiring is, the more vulnerable it may be to failure — and electrical failures can cause catastrophic fires. If your home was built before the 1980s, for example, it may be using aluminum wiring, a known factor in loose connections, or the insulation on the wires may not be up to code. Getting your electrical system inspected and upgraded is a lot less costly, hazardous, and traumatic than coping with a house fire.

Roof Repairs

A few little roof repairs now could spare you massive repairs (or even a total roof replacement) later. The smartest strategy is to have the roof inspected every year for signs of trouble, such as individual shingles that have sustained damage or chimney flashing that has developed pinpoint leaks. It’s much easier and more cost effective to replace a handful of shingles or put new flashing down than to deal with the massive water damage that might occur if these problems are left untended.

Keeping your gutters in good order is another critical aspect of maintaining a healthy roof. Look for signs of rust or warping that might indicate the need for new gutters. Ice buildup on gutters can put extra stress on gutters and roof alike. Installing the right gutter covers can help keep debris from blocking the gutters, helping them do their job of diverting water from your expensive investment. If ice dams are a problem in your area, consider installing a Moonworks Heated Helmet. This state-of-the-art gutter cover not only prevents solid matter from entering the gutter, but it also keeps the edge of the roof warm enough to stop ice accumulation.

Take care of your home and it will take care of you. Inspecting vital components and making minor repairs when necessary will preserve not only your beloved residence but also your bank account. Call Moonworks at 1-800-975-6666 and start at the top (literally) with a better-protected roof!