You might be surprised to know that many of the biggest mistakes that a homeowner can make involve one element: water. It might be something that Mother Nature brought upon you or something that your pipes graced you with, but either way water damage can result in an expensive fix. The wood and foundation throughout your home are the first to be ruined if water comes in. Small things that you might not think about, such as putting a fence around the property, can actually let water in your home. Here are the most mistake-prone areas.
Watering Your Foundation
The irrigation around your home doesn’t know not to water the foundation like you water the garden. One big mistake that is usually made is sprinklers spraying the foundation as well as the grass. You want to also make sure that the open spots of the gutters are facing away from the house itself. Downspouts emptying near a foundation can cause the soil around the home to expand. This cracks and eats away at the foundation with all of the built-up pressure. The foundation of a home is one of the most expensive parts of a home to repair or replace.
Don’t Ignore the Doors
The doors on the outside of the home are not very good at repelling water. If you have wood doors and you clean them using your hose, you’re ultimately allowing them to rot. Rainwater is also something else that can cause harm to the door. The water that gets into the cracks can seep in and warp the wood and cause mildew or mold if you have carpets. You should use a damp towel in order to clean these doors to avoid this situation, or replace your exterior doors with maintenance-free alternatives such as fiberglass or steel.
Plumbing Done Yourself
Often do-it-yourself projects are done to save money, but it could lead to an expensive disaster. If the plumbing job goes wrong, you could flood the whole place. Little things like installing your own washing machine should be left to professionals, since even something that seems simple like this could cause a problem. If you must do plumbing do it yourself jobs, then you should always know where the water shut-off valve is, just in case. If something decides to go wrong during the project, you know exactly where to go to stop the water.
Skipping Gutter Cleaning
Cleaning the gutters can be a real pain, but if you don’t keep them clean, it could lead to a much bigger problem overall. Leaves and other debris clogs the gutters and does not allow the water to drain. This funnels water on the foundation, walls, and even roof of your home. These spots can then become rotted and moldy, costing thousands in repairs. Gutters should be cleaned at least once a year, three times if you’re under a lot of trees.
Putting Tile Down
Floor tiles should have good visual appeal. A small mistake in floor tiles in rooms like bathrooms and kitchens can be a disaster. These rooms collect moisture and allows space for mold and rot to work through the tiles and through the floor. Check for cracks, and if you find any then make sure to replace and repair the tile. Tile shouldn’t be laid over linoleum or other flooring due moisture seeping below and causing rot and mold underneath.
When it comes to maintaining your home, at Iron River Construction we know that you might not be knowledgeable about all the details. That’s why we’re here to help. If you have questions about doors, gutters, floor tiles, etc., give us a call.
