9 Home Projects You Shouldn't Put Off

When you're a homeowner, it can seem like there's always something that needs to be done around the house. And there's no question that some projects are more fun than others — most home improvements, after all, don't result in big, instagram-worthy transformations or glamorous upgrades. In fact, most home improvement projects are about routine maintenance and avoiding bigger problems down the line. However, there are some home projects you simply should not put off. Tackling these potential problems on a regular basis can save you both money and time, making them worthy investments of a spare weekend hour or two.

1. Gutter Maintenance And Cleaning

The two most important features of your home are the foundation and the roof. Water damage to either can lead to expensive repairs and even potentially hazardous conditions. Keeping your gutters in good working order and free from debris and clogs can ensure that standing water isn't overflowing the sides of your gutters and onto your roof, or pooling near your home due to improper drainage. 

Mucking out your gutters isn't fun, nor is it glamorous, but checking the condition of your gutters a few times a year is an essential part of ensuring your roof, siding, and foundation are kept free of water intrusion and damage.

2. Grouting And Caulking

Grout and caulk serve a single purpose: keeping water out of spaces in your home where it's not supposed to be. Loose caulk around bathtubs or sinks, or missing grout in countertops or shower surrounds can allow water to infiltrate into the walls or floors of your home, creating mildew, rot, and even hazardous mold to flourish. Keeping tubs, shower surrounds, sinks, and doors and windows tightly caulked is a low-cost, easy way to ensure that your home stays watertight and safe. And, as a bonus, well-sealed windows and doors can save you money on energy during the cold winter and hot summer months. 

3. Cleaning The Dryer Vent

Often overlooked during routine maintenance, regular cleaning of dryer vents is one of the most important projects you can do to make sure your home — and everyone in it — stays safe. Accumulated lint in the dryer's ventilation system can build up and lead to a fire, so vacuuming and brushing it out twice a year is critical. 

4. Foundation Cracks Or Other Issues

If you notice that your home's doors or windows aren't closing as easily as they used to, or if you actually can observe cracks larger than 3/16 of an inch or so in your home's foundation, don't put off addressing them. Foundation problems can be costly and dangerous, and they don't resolve themselves, so getting an expert out to check out potential foundation issues as soon as you notice them is essential.

5. Negative Drainage

Negative drainage refers to a condition in which your home's exterior slopes toward your home instead of away from it. If water is not properly draining away from your home's foundation, it can leak into your basement, walls, or foundation, causing rot and water damage over time. Ensuring that your yard and exterior areas drain properly — away from your home — will help you avoid more costly repairs down the road. 

6. HVAC Maintenance

Replacing an HVAC system can be expensive, measuring in the thousands of dollars, so keeping your home's heating and cooling system in good working order is a big part of protecting your investment in your home. With regular maintenance, you can expect your home's HVAC system to last between 15 and 25 years. Simple tasks like replacing your filters on a regular basis, checking and cleaning drainage lines, and ensuring that the area around your furnace and air conditioner is clean and clear of debris can help to make sure that your system continues to function at peak performance, and can even reduce your monthly energy bills.

7. Termite And Pest Control

It can be easy to miss the early signs of rodent or insect infestation, but getting to pest problems early is a great way to avoid structural or electrical problems in the future. Keep an eye out for insect or rodent droppings, telltale signs of damage such as holes in walls or cabinetry, or noises caused by pests, and act quickly if you notice a problem. Calling an exterminator at the first sign of problems can ensure that any infestation is wiped out quickly, before pests can cause real damage.

8. Plumbing Issues

Plumbing problems can range in severity from a running toilet that requires a 5-minute fix to a major leak in the plumbing system inside your walls. Regardless, signs of plumbing problems shouldn't be put off. Even the most innocuous leaky faucet, in addition to being annoying, can add costs to your water bill and potentially be a sign of a more serious problem. 

9. Outdated Or Faulty Electrical Systems

Electrical problems aren't just costly and inconvenient — they can pose real danger to your home and its occupants. Flickering lights, circuit breakers that trip too often, or outlets that spark can all be signs that your home's wiring needs to be updated or replaced. Ensuring that your home's wiring is up to code is an important task that no homeowner should put off.

When Home Means More, You Need a Team With More to Offer

Home ownership is a tough but rewarding journey, and your local Baird & Warner agent is here to help make that journey easier from beginning to end.

Home is about so much more than just four walls. Buying or selling a home is a big deal, and with everything we experienced in the last year, our homes have never been more important. That's why your local Baird & Warner agent is with you at every step of the way, with the tools and support you need to make your real estate journey easier — including in-house connections with local experts in mortgage and title. 

So whether you're looking for your starter home or you're ready to move on to one with more space to live out your home design dream, your Baird & Warner agent can help you through every part of the buying and selling process.