 The picture says it all. How did it get so bad? Some home projects start off with poor work and some homes just fall into disrepair over the years. So what do you do?
1) When buying a home- HIRE A HOME INSPECTOR. The best money available to spot those items you missed. 2) When already in a home- Hire a good contractor who has great subs. You don't want a handyman fixing what's already an issue. Hire an electrician, HVAC tech, and others in their field who know how to do it right. Some Common Issues to look for: 1) Water Problems: These issues can be on a new house or old house. The most common but simple problem is gutter extensions or stopped up gutters. Do whatever you have to do to get the water away from the house. REMINDER: Check the gutters and drains today. Water or even moisture from water in the block are potential problems for mold, mildew, salt accumulation on block/brick, and leaks/cracks in foundations. Check for them today. 2) Electrical Issues: It may be time to replace those outlets or add GFI plugs if your home is over 15-20 years old. You need to probably have them checked in an old house or poorly constructed house. 3) Roof: If your house is over 5 years old, look at the roof vents to see if they are rubber. If so, they are prone to crack and leak versus metal ones. I would have them changed now versus having a leaking and damaging sheet rock or worst issues. Check for flashing around valleys, dormers, and other locations. Contractors use a lot of caulk so your roof, siding, and other components may start cracking where the sealant used to be. While on the roof or at least ladder, you can check the gutters for trash/leaves to help with the water issues. 4) HVAC: Your Air Conditioning unit needs clean filters and clean coils to operate properly. If you have not had it serviced lately, you may want a check up before summer. When mowing the grass or blowing leaves, please keep the debris away from the unit or it will clog the coils. You can expect 12-15 years of use on most units and major component repairs between years 4-12. Filters and clean coils greatly affect the functionality and life of the units. 5) Misc Items: I would check your refrigerator ice maker line for leaks or wear/tear. I had a leak and did not know it...could have been a mess. Same issue with dishwasher seals/gaskets, washer machine lines, and more. It may be worth the few minutes and $30 to replace anything that holds water and could be potential issue with water. Just a reminder to check things from your AdvisorFriend. AdvisorFriend.com Article by Brian Camp 205-369-7154 Brian@BrianCamp.com Brian Camp, MBA, BSME & 20 Years of Experience in Real Estate, Construction, and Building Services My team wants to work for you! Ask for Brian. Partner/Realtor/Land Developer, Lovejoy Realty website: www.LovejoyRealty.com Owner/Homebuilder: Waterstone Homes, LLC website: www.WaterstoneHomes.net Realtor/Broker/Owner, Waterstone Professional Services, LLC website: www.BhamHomeRealtor.com
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