When you’re a homeowner, it’s never a good idea to neglect maintenance, as small jobs today could easily turn into more costly problems later on.
This list features some of the more urgent issues you may find. If any of these problems arise it is wise to act quickly to ensure home safety and avoid more expensive remediation work if you delay for too long.
Flickering lights
Call an electrician if your lights flicker or blink regularly. It’s possible you’re overloading the circuit board. Other tell-tale signs include a blown power socket or hearing a buzzing or sizzling sound when you turn on an appliance.
Beeps in the night
That’s probably your smoke alarm demanding a new battery or signaling that something more serious is amiss. Don’t delay in fixing a fire alarm. It’s said that more than 60% of deaths from fire in the home are the result of the property not having a working alarm. An electrician will help you out.
Hot stuff
Also ensure you clean the lint trap in your dryer regularly as these fibers are highly combustible. You can usually tell you have a problem if it takes longer than usual to dry your clothes on the super-hot setting.
Puddles
Unexplained water on the floor can be alarming. If a puddle is near a window or door, then it’s likely you have an insulation issue. Alternatively, poor ventilation may be the problem. Ignoring this will eventually mean mold will grow. The solution may be asking a contractor to install additional ventilation.
Wall cracks
Always monitor cracks. Most are harmless, the result of building materials expanding and contracting in heat. But if you see gaps of more than an eighth of an inch, you may have foundation issues. Call a contractor to assess any potential problem.