How to prevent the most expensive home repairs

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As the saying goes, there’s no place like home. When you purchase a home, you make one of the biggest investments in your life, not only in terms of finances, but also in terms of happiness. Expenses, such as furnishings, re-modeling, homeowners insurance and essential services, like water and trash, are a part of that investment. Also, too, are expenses for repairs and replacement of different systems and structures within your home – many of which are found to be unexpected.

Luckily, you can get an idea of what may come down the road with a list of common home repairs that are the most expensive and what you can do to safeguard your wallet and prevent some of those repairs from happening.

Foundation repair
The foundation of your home is the basis for which your home will remain sound, so it is important that it is in great condition. One of the things that can occur is changes in the moisture levels of your soil, which can add pressure to the foundation, leading it to crack. This is something you want to avoid.

Cost: $500 – $12,000

Signs of a problem
Doors or windows that stick or don’t fit their frame
Uneven or sloping floors
Water pooling in your basement or in edges around your home
Fractures or cracks within the foundation around the house, windows, or door frames
Prevention
Address any cracks in the foundation and seek professional help
Check for proper soil drainage during periods of rain
Keep the soil around the house at a slope to enable proper drainage
Consider using soaker hoses around the perimeter of your house during periods without rain to keep the soil adequately moist.
Roof repair
The roof of your house is critical in protecting against the harshness and danger of the elements. Depending on where you live, sun, wind and rain can cause a lot of wear and tear and the need for a new roof or repair.

Cost: $650 for partial repair. $5,000 – $12,000 for roof replacement.

Signs of a problem
Leaks
Missing or curling roof shingles
Missing flashing on chimneys or its intersections
Loosened nails
Stains, streaks, or water in the attic
Prevention
Clean out clogged gutters to prevent ice dams from forming
Trim back trees from hanging on the roof
Check the roof between inspections to identify any problems, moss, cracks, or other minor repairs
Have roof professionally inspected ten years after installation and every three to five years afterwards
Hot water heater replacement
If there are problems with your hot water heater, as with everything else, it’s important to get it fixed right away. Water heater problems can lead to flooding and possibly more problems in the home. It’s recommended that a water heater be replaced every ten years. Before that time, you should be alert to any problems.

Cost: $523 for repair. $1,000 – $1,500 for replacement.

Signs of a problem
Loud or unusual noises
Leaking, especially rust-colored water
Prevention
Check the pressure valve periodically.
Flush the tank annually.
Termite Damage
Though homeowners may have their share of pests to deal with, termites are a real problem. As they love to eat wood, they can severely weaken the wood in your home, which is why early detection is important.

Cost: $541 – $3,000

Signs of a problem
Peeling paint
Mold or mildew smell
Hollowed out or crumbling wood
Swarms of small flying bugs
Wings, termite bodies and droppings
Mud tubes on the side of your home’s foundation
Prevention
Install termite monitors
Outside of your home, try to keep any wood away from mulch as well as your foundation
Inspect your home for termites once a year
Water damage
Water damage is a huge culprit in home repair, and it can come from anywhere – your plumbing, roof, or even basement. It can cause mold, metals to rust and wood to rot. It’s important to be alert for any signs of water damage throughout the house.

Cost: $1,500 – $6,000

Signs of a problem
Leaks
A musty smell
Mold, mildew, stains, or water marks
Bubbling or peeling paint
Damaged flooring
High water bills
Low water pressure
Odd plumbing sounds
Prevention
Clean your gutters
Take care of drains
Fix leaks in roof or pipes right away
Check for damaged siding
Install a sump pump and test it annually
New pipes
Plumbing can be another pricey home repair issue. Though there are some plumbing issues that can be easily done by yourself, such as a clogged toilet or leaky faucet, there are some that are more complicated and extensive, and require professional expertise. If left unfixed, plumbing problems can cause water damage that can be expensive.

Cost: $559 – $2,443 for repairs. Up to $10,000 for new pipes.

Signs of a problem
Leaks
Rusty water
Knocking noises
Discoloration or flaking in exposed pipes
Prevention
Avoid using chemical products to unclog drains
Insulate your pipes during the cold months
Hire a professional plumber to clean out your sewer lines every couple of years.
Heating/AC (HVAC)
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is essential to maintaining the proper temperature in your home, whether used for heat in the coldest months or cool air in the hottest months. If it becomes broken, your comfort and well-being is at risk. While a typical HVAC unit lasts about 15-20 years, you should see to it that you address any problems you may have and keep up with regular maintenance.

Cost: $1,800 – $3,000 per system. Up to $10,000 for a whole unit.

Signs of a problem
Failure to cool, heat, or keep house at a comfortable temperature
Leaking
Strange noises
Trouble with turning the unit on or off
Prevention
Replace air filter every couple of months
Annual maintenance by HVAC professionals
Mold Removal
Mold is a threat to your health and the structure of your home and can be costly to repair. It may not be easy to spot right away, but you should take steps to prevent it from appearing in your home, particularly as temperatures become more sporadic. Treating mold is something you can do yourself, though it is recommended that for growth with more than an area of 10 square feet, that you seek professional help.

Cost: $500 – $6,000 depending on the extent of damage

Signs of a problem
Musty odor
Discoloration, such as black spots, in the walls or ceilings
People experiencing unexplained allergy or coughing symptoms
Prevention
Fix leaks right away
Ventilate damp areas
Inspect your home periodically for signs of mold
Electrical issues
As it is with plumbing, issues pertaining to electrical wiring, because of its complexity and hard- to-reach areas, are best left for professionals to handle. And you should deal with it right away as electrical issues that are left unaddressed run the risk of fire to your home and injury.

Cost: $300 for repairs. Up to $15,000 for re-wiring.

Signs of a problem
Circuit breakers trip regularly
Visible damage to wires
If appliances or wall sockets shock you
Flickering lights
Burning scent in the home
Prevention
Annual checkup by an electrician or anytime you suspect a problem
Covering bare wires to reduce fire risk
Consider installing ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in the bathroom, kitchen, and anywhere outlets come in contact with liquid to reduce the chance of shock
Septic system repair
As you can guess, a broken septic system can get messy, and if it doesn’t need to be repaired, it will need to get pumped eventually, so preparing for this expense is a must and it will require an expert to address.

Cost: $500 for repair. $5,000-$12,000 for replacement.

Signs of a problem
Toilets that won’t flush
Slow drains
Standing, smelly water around your home
Bright, green grass above and around the septic tank
Prevention
Have a professional inspect it every three years
Pump out the tank every three to five years
As a homeowner, you can plan and set aside savings for home repairs to protect your investment. You can also make sure you have the best insurance coverage for your home.