What do I fix first? Prioritizing Home Repair Projects

When you've just moved into a new home or have a lot of deferred maintenance on your home and are looking at a long list of repairs and upgrades, it can feel overwhelming. Because of course it is! So where do you start? Here is a simple guide.

It's important to prioritize certain issues to ensure your safety and prevent further damage. Namely LEAKS! Water and Gas:

Gas Leaks: Trust your nose. Natural gas is intentionally dyed with that sulfur smell so you can quickly identify it. Is it dangerous. Short answer, yes, long answer the hype is largely there for your safety and we won't tell you to ignore your instincts. However, if it's something faint it may be dissipating faster than is likely to explode. The problem is the odds may be low but never zero. It's always a good idea to call a professional. Gas leaks need to be addressed immediately. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, evacuate the premises and contact your gas provider or emergency services right away. If it is from a source, you can shut off easily you can save a lot of headaches (sometimes literally) by turning off just that location. Every appliance SHOULD have a gas shut-off valve nearby. If not, call us. We can remedy this so if you have an appliance replacement or issue. You can avoid undo frustration of turning off the fuel for your home.

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND: A channel lock or adjustable wrench. On your gas meter often has a valve that you can shut off the gas to your home. Getting ahead of that emergency call by being the solution. Now you can skip the call to utility and go direct to a professional for repair.

GAS LEAK BUBBLE TRICK: Foaming Soap. Gas leaks seldom come from the middle of a pipe. The joints are the most common source. In this case rather than use a high tech "sniffer". The detector couldn't narrow down the source from this cluster. Foam soap not only found it quickly but pinpointed EXACTLY where it was coming from. Can you see the bubble? A $120 detector < $3 soap dispenser.

Oh, and if you've seen the video that is floating out there: DON'T USE A LIGHTER TO FIND A LEAK. You'll find yourself staring at the roof of a morgue.

Water Leaks: Water leaks don't get better with time. Except ironically on old cast iron systems that "rust" closed. Hard water can sometimes calcify a leaking joint. But even these are rolling the dice for a future problem. Leaks, especially under sinks, go unnoticed for months or years. Most of us don't look under a sink unless it drips out. But water follows gravity or capillary action to keep damaging areas. Especially if it never dries out. Don't ignore these repairs. It only gets more expensive the longer they go unaddressed. Sometimes the repair is simply tightening a nut or joint. Why risk spending thousands for what could have been a 10-minute repair. Now as for leaks from the outside well, next line is...

Roof Issues: Avg Roof is 25-year shingles, but they can be shorter or longer. Plenty of roof systems will hold up beyond their useful life but you are gambling with a "what if" level leak that can lead to mold growth, attic, home, and other damage in the home. While an experienced roofer can give you an exact age, a general idea from us or any inspector can help you plan. In our view, a roof is done when water is leaking under it but it's cheaper to be ahead of a problem than addressing it because you have no other option. Roofs greatest enemy is the sun that dries out the system so the wind and rain can erode it away. Flashing joints being inspected are a smart way of avoiding the most common area where leaks come in. We can inspect and fix these to prolong the useful life. Highly recommend that if you have less than 10 years on your roof. Start an "I know it's old" fund. Planning for the inevitable makes it easier to tackle when it inevitably comes.

Electrical Problems: Electrical issues can pose a fire hazard if not addressed promptly. If you notice flickering lights, outlets that are warm to the touch, or frequently tripped circuit breakers, have a qualified electrician inspect your electrical system and make any necessary repairs. It's surprising how many electrical systems are simply wired wrong. Fun fact, an improperly wired home that catches fired from operator error can lead to incarceration for arson for the electrician. It doesn't take much electricity to stop your heart. Overall, fixes can be very straight forward. But poor installations should be taken VERY SERIOUSLY. The state takes it seriously, so should you. Don't attempt repairs if you don't know what you are doing. Please. We are not that desperate for work that we WANT to fix your friend / family errors. Rather see people are safe.

Structural Damage: 90% of your home's settling occurs within the first 10 years of its life. So unsurprisingly, cracks will occur on your home even if it's young. The question is "How bad?" What is normal and what is excessive. We can answer that. And if your home is older, don't get sold a highly invasive water proofing system and drain line when a few yards of dirt and improved gutter drainage would have solved the problem. As one basement specialist told us: "Mechanically removing water (sump pump) from the home is the worst way to do it. Homes have stood for decades on simple grading and gutters." Sump pumps are reliant on parts not failing, power staying on, and pipes from staying unclogged / thawed. These are great reserve systems but if it runs constantly, please call. We bet you just need dirt or downspout extensions.

Pest Infestations: Pest are... well pests. Good to address but rarely an emergency. The hype behind termites eating a whole home are overblown to sell you. This is so rare it's annoying they push it so hard. That being said, we don't recommend you ignore that burning sensation either. Pests don't "go away" and treatments can be pretty noninvasive. Mice can be dealt with via traps, bees we'd call a professional due to protection laws (FYI, Hornets and Wasps don't help the environment. No protection for them.) Larger animals, call a pro. We can recommend a few.

HVAC Maintenance: Remember the "I know it's old fund" about roofs. Same thing with furnaces and air conditioners. In a Michigan winter a working furnace is not an option. Air conditioning, a few well installed ceiling fans or wall units can keep things cost effective for your energy bills. We recommend a regular inspection of your HVAC system especially if it is older than 10 years. When do you replace? Again, "I know it's old fund." Get a few current quotes and save up. Test the system in the early fall so you aren't panicking in the fridged winter and paying "Oh crap" prices. Also, yes, it is always cheaper to replace both A/C and furnace at the same time than one at a time. Otherwise, you can ride a furnace until it dies. The cost savings for the energy consumption upgrades often takes YEARS to see a return on investment of an early replacement. We can help you make an informed decision and recommend some professionals. The best thing you can do to maintain the system is have your ducts cleaned and filters swapped regularly. It's like an oil change to get all the debris out of the system and keep it from trying so hard to deliver heat.

Safety Upgrades: Consider upgrading safety features in your home, such as installing carbon monoxide detectors and updating smoke alarms. These upgrades can help protect you and your family from potential hazards. Beyond that tighten handrails. Secure toilets. A half day at your home and we can find and fix most small risks or get you a simple evaluation on this and all other aforementioned areas of concern. We have been certified by both ASHI and InterNACHI as a home inspector. Unlike most inspectors we are licensed to repair most issues. What we don't do in house we can recommend or vet local pros! Skip your homework, we did it already and are constantly making sure we work with the most effective and qualified pros.

Prioritizing these repairs and upgrades can help you tackle your home improvement list efficiently and ensure your home is safe and comfortable for years to come.

And if you don't know where to go from there. Call us. Happy to guide you.