11 common home repair and maintenance mistakes to avoid

Home maintenance is an ongoing task. Falling behind on HVAC systems’ maintenance, appliance maintenance, and even plumbing can require a complete replacement. One of the best ways to maintain a home and its structural integrity is cleaning things and repairing them at the first signs of wear, but aside from neglecting the same, people can make several mistakes when caring for their home. So, here are eleven common home repair and maintenance mistakes to avoid.

Not winterizing
Many homeowners forget about winterizing, a crucial step in maintaining their property. Winterizing is taking preventative measures to protect the property against damage that freezing temperatures can cause. Tasks like insulating pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting, clearing gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage, sealing windows and doors to prevent drafts, and servicing heating systems to ensure they function efficiently during the colder months are all part of the winterizing process. Winterizing a home or property helps prevent costly damage and ensures the comfort and safety of occupants during months when the area sees freezing temperatures.

Not addressing water damage
One of the biggest lapses in maintenance is not addressing water damage immediately. When spaces like bathrooms aren’t kept dry, water damage and mold can affect them and further penetrate the structure, resulting in costly repairs or even complete replacements. One of the main indications of water seeping into the structure is stains and watermarks on the ceiling or walls. This is usually a sign of either a pipe leak in the house, problems with the roof, or old caulking that’s allowing water to seep into places from high-moisture areas. Getting a professional plumber to find the root cause should be the immediate plan of action.

Not changing AC/furnace filters
Clean air filters in good condition can help one save money on electricity bills. This is because the system to heat or cool the house won’t have to work as hard, resulting in lower energy bills. The filters should be cleaned every couple of months and replaced at least twice a year to keep the HVAC system running efficiently.

Overusing power washing
Maintenance doesn’t only include repairs or replacing. Cleaning regularly is also a huge part of maintenance, and while power washing can get grime and mud cleaned out in no time, using it carelessly could damage the masonry. High water pressure can damage bricks and aluminum siding and even cause the stucco to crumble. It’s important not to get too close to the surface one is trying to clean and to keep the nozzle at least 6 inches away.

Not cleaning the gutters regularly
Clogged gutters tend to leak water into the home’s foundation, and this could slowly weaken it over time. Going into the next season with clogged gutters is a complete no-no. Not cleaning gutters regularly allows twigs, leaves and debris to collect and block water from flowing freely and is a home maintenance mistake that must be avoided.

Neglecting windows
Windows should be maintained and cleaned regularly to ensure that they function properly. If one struggles to open the windows, notices rot on the corners, or can feel a cold draft when passing it, it may be time to repair. All the clean filters in the HVAC system cannot reduce the energy bill if the windows can’t prevent cold air from entering the house.

Improper yard work
Letting trees grow unpruned and unchecked can be a safety hazard. Storms and inclement weather can cause branches to snap off and damage the house. Maintaining tree and shrub height and checking for poisonous or parasitic wild plants is absolutely necessary for proper home maintenance.

Using the wrong tools
While DIYs to repair and carry out routine maintenance work around the house sounds like a money-saving decision, it could end up costing much more. Using the wrong tools can end up damaging what needs to be fixed. Not taking care and using safety measures when carrying out repairs with power tool is also a common home repair and maintenance mistake one should avoid.

Not deep cleaning
Keeping a regular schedule to clean out appliances, fans, bathrooms, the loft, the basement, and high-traffic areas in the house is necessary to ensure that issues don’t fall through the cracks (pun intended). Having a seasonal maintenance checklist can help immensely in ensuring that every part of the house gets a regular onceover.

Not using appropriate cleaning products
There’s no one-size-fits-all in cleaning products, so one should not use the same products for all cleaning needs. The stuff that gets the grime off the fan may not be the best one to clean the oven with! Using incorrect cleaning agents and scrubbers or making use of excessive cleaning products can damage the appliances or the paint and luster of the objects being cleaned. So, selecting the correct cleaning agents for different surfaces is imperative.

Overusing duct tape
For a quick fix, duct tape works wonders, but that cannot be one’s go-to solution all the time. It’s not a permanent solution and, as such, should not be treated as one. Temporary repairing items with duct tape is acceptable so long as the next step is a call to a professional to inspect the issue. Leaving duct tape on for too long can result in a sticky residue marking the surface, the issue worsening, and the need for a complete replacement of the product or area.

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Things That Make Home Look Messy and Hacks to Deal With It

Home renovation does not necessarily mean hiring contractors and spending a lot of money. However, it need not be as easy as hanging framed pictures and relying solely on seasonal decorations. Instead, the focus should be on identifying the best hacks that have a significant impact and upgrade the appearance of your home's walls and furniture. This article discusses simple hacks for home upgradation. Read on to learn more about home upgradation. What makes your home look untidy? Before discussing some of the best home improvement hacks, let's take a quick look at some things that may make your home look cluttered. Too many accessories When you have a few pieces tastefully displayed, it makes the place looks classy. However, when there are too many décor pieces stacked along each other, they make your home look overwhelming. Items not in their place Often there are small things that keep floating about the house. Though small, things like keys, purses, and shoes make homes look messier. This also includes laundry piled up in different rooms. Cables and cords An increasing number of appliances being used at home, like smartphones, tablets, and other electronic gadgets, also bring with them various cords. All these cables tangled together and lying in heaps make your home look messier. Papers and magazines Stacks of papers and magazines left out in different places, especially your tables, make your home look cluttered. They should be removed regularly and put away in baskets. Too much furniture Too many furniture pieces, especially oversized ones, make your home look unkempt and smaller. Removing those pieces that you don't use will solve this problem. Open shelves Open shelves with all the items peeking out make the space look shabby. The best way to avoid this is to choose organizers with closed shelves to make the place look neater. 6 hacks to improve your home Your house is one of the biggest and most important assets that you will own. Taking care of it is a priority and will help you live well but keeping up with the repairs and improvements may increase its value over time. Here are some of the best clean-up hacks for home improvement that you can start using today: Paint a room One of the best ways to upgrade your home instantly is to give it a pop of color. A fresh coat of new color uplifts your mood, livens up the room, and may even increase your home value. You need not hire a contractor for this, but need to plan properly. Start by shortlisting the colors. Understand what will go with the rest of your house. Get samples and test them. Pick the right tools like a paint roller, paint tray, drop cloths, painter's tape, putty knife, etc. Next, prep the room and the walls and start painting. Make sure you work from the top of the walls and make your way down. Let the paint dry for at least 48 hours, clean up, and enjoy the brand-new room. Make your home energy-efficient With the soaring energy costs, every homeowner feels the pinch on their electricity bills. Here are some simple DIY energy-efficient home improvements that you can look into: One of the best ways to make your appliances consume less energy is to clean them regularly. Using a simple dustpan and brush will do the trick. Another great home improvement clean-up hack is to keep your refrigerator coils clean. When dirt and debris accumulate on them, they cannot release the heat efficiently and rack up your energy bills. Create an outdoor seating area If you have a minimalistic house space, you may want to expand your outdoor area to give it a beautiful upgrade. Here are some simple hacks for your patio or backyard to consider: Find flexible and minimalist garden furniture and avoid heavy furniture pieces. You can choose bar stools, chairs, and tables that can be stacked atop each other to save space. Don't have much ground space? No worries. Use climbing plants instead. Add them to your garden fence to add colors and eye-soothing greenery to your space. Taking things off the ground when the space is limited works well. For instance, you can make your fence work like a vertical garden and use it to display plants, accessories, and even your drink holders. Clean your outdoors Home improvements are never limited to just your indoor areas. Cleaning outdoor spaces make your home look more beautiful and organized. Start with keeping your garden gutters clean. Channels clogged with leaves and debris can make any place shabby and flood your foundation with excess water. Using a leaf filter or gutter brush to guard the gutter can easily do the trick. They are available in different sizes to fit channels of all shapes and dimensions and do the job well. Cover the floors Did you know that your floors make up the largest visible space in your house? Covering your bare floors is a simple yet great way to improve your home. Whether you have classic hardwood flooring or modern laminate flooring, covering them up with carpets or rugs changes the entire appeal of the space. Ranging from animal prints to geometric stripes, there are plenty of options. They add a beautiful pop of color, making the floor comfortable and warm. They also cover up the cracks or changes in color without you having to hire foundation repair experts. Redesign your windows One design feature that we often neglect is our windows. Windows do not just add a beautiful design element, but slight modifications also allow for a simple yet effective home improvement. Windows let out a lot of heat during winter. To prevent this, consider adding glazing to your windows. Alternatively, replace the plain glass of your window with a thicker one to prevent the loss of warmth. You can also use stylish shades to prevent loss of heat and give your place a chic upgrade at the same time.

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7 common window installation mistakes

Windows not only protect the inhabitants from external elements but also provide a beautiful view of the outdoors. It is essential to maintain the windows well to ensure their longevity and effective insulation, which makes the house energy-efficient. However, to maintain this level of protection and efficiency, it is essential to be aware of certain factors. Additionally, when installing new windows or replacing damaged ones, it is important to avoid common mistakes. Taking wrong measurements Taking incorrect window opening measurements is a common mistake people make during installation. This can give rise to a host of problems as the installation process progresses. To ensure the window is a proper fit, it is important to take accurate measurements. An incorrectly measured rough opening could lead to an ill-fitting window frame that allows leaks and drafts, compromising the insulation and efficiency of the property. To avoid this problem, homeowners can either stick to standard-size windows to eliminate errors or hire a professional. Following these steps can help avoid being stuck with an inefficient window that needs to be replaced. Poorly attached barriers Another common mistake homeowners usually make when installing windows is not checking if the weather-resistant barriers are properly attached. A loosely attached barrier can cause energy leakage and compromised sealing for the property. The main purpose of these barriers is to provide prevention against air and moisture infiltration and create a tight seal. When the barrier is not installed correctly, it can give rise to leaks and gaps, resulting in energy loss. It can allow hot air to enter the house during hotter months and cause a loss of heating during the colder months. Moreover, the weather-resistant barriers and flashing must be installed appropriately to avoid paying high utility bills. Not checking placement The placement of the window during the installation process is crucial, as a simple mistake can lead to various problems that might arise later. Angled installations and out-of-place windows are just a few of the concerns that could lead to compromised insulation, uneven gaps, difficulty in operation, and structural issues. Therefore, to avoid these problems, it is important to take precautions to ensure that the windows remain level, centered, and at the proper angle throughout the process. Careful monitoring should be done at every step of the installation process. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure the window is tightly secured and firmly attached to eliminate the risk of free movement. Using spray foam Incorrect usage of spray foam is a common mistake one can make when installing windows. Spray foam takes time and space because it expands and occupies more surrounding space. When used during window installation, expanding spray foams can result in distortion of window frame shapes or cause wood jambs to bend. As a result, the distortion can impact the functionality of the window and the insulation it provides to the property. Additionally, the use of spray foam can trap excess moisture, causing buildup. As the foam expands, the chances of mold buildup, rotting, and water damage increase. Instead of spray foam, non-expanding sealants should be used when installing windows and window frames. These sealants will not impact the shape and functionality of the windows. Choosing wrong jambs Another common problem with window installation is having to deal with wrong-sized jambs. Jambs play an important role in the fit and support of windows in the rough opening. One needs to consider the size and width of the jambs before ordering them for installation. The width of the jamb can vary depending on the material used to make the interior of the house. For instance, a house with drywalls will have jambs of different widths than windows that need to be installed on a thicker sheathing. It is advisable to consult a professional and learn about the correct installation process and the manufacturer's guidelines rather than relying solely on instincts. Forgetting about the back slope Forgetting to install a back slope when installing windows on the property can lead to increased drainage issues and a higher level of water penetration. A back slope is essential to the building structure as it ensures that the water penetrating the building walls is properly redirected outside instead of making its way into the property. Without a back slope, the water can accumulate near the window and cause mold growth, increased moisture, and structural problems. Creating a back slope can effectively drain water from the interiors and safeguard the building structure while ensuring the durability and longevity of the windows. Not following instructions Another common mistake people make when installing windows is that they overlook the manufacturer's instructions. This can lead to potential problems and complications. Window manufacturers always provide a set of instructions for the proper installation of their windows. While some may believe that the instructions are the same for all manufacturers, it is still important to read and follow them. Manufacturers invest time in providing users with best practices and specific requirements for correctly handling and installing windows. The instructions are included with the product for a reason. So, instead of rushing through the installation process, it is advisable to familiarize oneself with the instructions and requirements. It also helps to prepare oneself with the right tools in case of any potential issues. A key problem with not following the manufacturer's instructions is that it can impact the validity of the warranty.