Summary: For sure you may want to complete your home improvement project at leisure. But if you are facing any pressing issues with regard to home repairs it is better you address them as early as possible.
Home improvements can be done at any time. Finding a contractor should not be an issue with so many of them trying to contact you. But if you are facing any of the following home repair issues it is important that you address them immediately to avoid bigger problems in the future.
Damp basement
Musty basement could be an indication of mold and mildew. Also, it can stink badly. At times grading the yard can help as it keeps the water from leaking into the basement. But if you want to keep your basement clean and dry at all times, you might have to install gutters and downspout extensions that can channel the rain water away from the foundation. In case this doesn’t work you might have to place drain tile around the footings. Although an expensive job that requires professional interference it is something you will have to do. Most home improvement contractors, who get in touch with homeowners through home improvement live transfer leads, should help fix this problem for you.
Rotting decks
When wooden decks do not receive sunlight they tend to rot and deteriorate. Whether it is just a few boards or a particular section that has been rotting, it can render the structure unsafe, causing the rails to loosen. The best way to address this issue is to replace all the rotting boards. One way to make sure such problems don’t crop up again is to use composite decking. It might be slightly expensive when compared to wood; but you won’t face any rotting problems again. If your deck is covered by tree branches that block out the sun, you may have to trim some of them to let the sun light shine through and keep your deck dry.
Clogged gutters
Clogged gutters can be a huge problem. This generally happens during storms when leaves, nuts, and twigs tend to pile up in the gutters. This can prevent the water from flowing into the downspouts and leaving the house. As a result it leaks into the basement. It is important that you clean your gutters once or twice a year, to keep the water flowing. You could even install gutter guards to keep your gutters free of debris.
Water spots on walls or ceiling
Any water spots on ceiling or walls indicate a leaky pipe. If the spot shows up after a rain, it could be a leaky roof or window. Such spots can go on expanding if left unfixed, causing greater problems. You will then have to replace or repaint a larger area to stop mold formation.
Tracking down the source of a leak is not exactly an easy task. With water traveling always it could be tricky to pinpoint the origin of such leaks. Here are a few things you could do to fix this issue:
Cut a hole into the plaster or the drywall at the water spot
If you see the piping try and identify the source of the leak and repair it.
If it isn’t the plumbing, it could be the deck ledger board, vents, pipes, or windows. A home improvement contractor, who comes to you, should be able to help you zero in on the exact issue and then fix it at the earliest.
Termites
The presence of termites, anywhere in your house, could be a serious problem. Termites can cause a lot of damage within a short span of time. When it comes to termites there is no option of procrastination. You will have to find an exterminator and use it to get rid of termites as soon as possible.
Peeling Caulk
Sometimes the caulk around the sinks, bathtubs, or backsplashes can come loose. This usually happens around windows, doors, protrusions in walls, deck lender boards, etc. Not only does this look ugly it can also lead to mold and rot if water manages to infiltrate. Thankfully repairing peeling caulk is not such an expensive job. Nor does it require any kind of special skills. In about an hour or so you can finish the entire job with a putty knife and utility knife at hand. All that you need to do is follow these steps:
First cut and scrape away the old caulk using your utility knife and putty knife.
Now, using a towel or a brush wipe away any debris that you might see
Once this is done, you will have to run a new bead of caulk to make it look fresh and new
Leaky Faucet
Sometimes when you turn off your faucet the water doesn’t stop dripping. You might push harder on the handle; but it is very rare that such technique should help you fix a leaky faucet. You can’t ignore this problem as you will only end up wasting water. Not to mention the annoying drips. Delaying the repair might put you into a deeper leak, which might be difficult to repair.
Take apart the faucet using the right tools
Now replace the washer and the O-ring. You should be able to find a replacement kit at any of the home centers. Determine your faucet brand so that you don’t make any mistake in buying the kit.
Running toilet
This can lead to a lot of unwanted noise and wastage of water. At times you should be able to fix this by juggling the handle. Else, you may have to replace the fill valve and flapper within the tank. You can get a kit in home center to repair such issues.
You can sign up with any of the home improvement contractors who might contact you. Some of them offer annual maintenance contracts that can make your repairs timely and cost-effective. Talk to them and compare their quotes before deciding on any.
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