Many of us have learned the hard way, that if we dont keep our cars, tools, and other things we rely on in good working order, then we end up spending money unnecessarily on repairs. The same is true in regard to our houses, both inside and out. The cost of NOT doing home maintenance can be steep indeed. Besides that, its always much easier to be proactive than it is to wait until something breaks down.
One typical time to get busy is autumn. If you havent had to be responsible for a house before, you can find plenty of early winter home maintenance tips online, at the library, at a local extension office, home maintenance chain stores, or in bookstores. Check with your neighbors as well. Some of the areas you should be concerned with are:
Roofs and gutters
Fireplaces and chimneys
Decks and patios
Shutters and siding
Drafty doors and windows
If you let any of these deteriorate, youll soon learn about the cost of NOT doing home maintenance.
Early winter or fall is not the only time to inspect these aspects of your house. Its a good idea to take a good look at everything at least twice a year. Additionally, if you notice...