Repairs & Maintenance
Any home needs occasional doctoring. An older home may need more fixes than a newer home, but even a new home may have some below-par workmanship or materials that need fixing or replacing. Just living in a home can cause wear and tear. Give us a call if you suspect any damage listed below or have something else that you don't see below. Here are some things to think about:
- Dry, cracked or missing caulk & grout around tubs, tile, sinks, counters. Extensive mold or mildew between shower tiles may indicate water damage to the wall behind. Lack of grout or caulk could lead to this damage. This is usually an easy fix but if the wall behind is damaged, it will need to be replaced and retiled.
- Broken tiles. If in an area near water, could lead to water damage to the wall behind or floor below. The broken tile can sometimes be chipped out and replaced. Tiles around the broken tile can be damaged during this process and would also need replacing. Again, this is usually not too extensive unless the wood behind or under the tile is rotted. In that case, the same process above applies here.
- Air coming in around windows, windows that rattle in the wind and/or condensation between window panes. A professional can tell you if they can be sealed, glazed or insulated or just need to be replaced. These problems can lead to huge energy bills. Also, water can leak into the frame and if the frame is wooded, will cause it to rot. Mildew, mold and bacteria could build up in the frame, not to mention that you can see out of a window that is foggy!
- Doors that are hard to close.This is mostly just an annoyance, but could wear out carpet or other flooring if the bottom of the door is rubbing. Also can damage the door jamb if door is constantly forced closed. If this is a door to the exterior, air could be coming in and your security could be compromised if the door no longer locks properly. Some doors can be re-hung or trimmed but if there is damage to the jamb, both the door and the jamb could need replacing.
- Holes in drywall.Also mostly just an annoyance and definitely unsightly. Could be dangerous if children or pets can get stuck in the wall and if toxic insulation is hanging out. Is VERY dangerous if wires are exposed. Most holes can be patched and textured to match existing wall. In rare instances, there may be damage to the studs in the wall, which means more of the drywall would have to be removed, then replaced after the studs have been replaced.
- Cracks in drywall.Sometimes cracks occur in a new house due to settling. These may be covered under your homeowner's warranty. They may also be due to settling in an older house, too, but you need to examine the foundation to see if it is shifting. Some cracks are due to expansive soil and incorrect engineering or insulation of walls. This means that the walls are not designed properly to move with the soil. Most cracks can be fixed fairly easily, but the real problem may not be the crack. You need to fix the root of the problem, then fix the cracks.
- Water stains on ceiling or down walls.Obviously this is due to a leak somewhere, but you need to determine if it is coming from the outside in or from a pipe inside the ceiling or wall. Once you fix the leak, then the water stain can be painted over. In severe cases, the drywall will need to be cut out and a new piece patched in.
- Holes in floor, sunken floor.There is probably no need to say that this can cause a huge problem if the hole is big enough for you to get your foot through! Even small holes should be explored because this could mean that the sub-floor under your tile, carpet or wood is rotting. If the floor is sinking, this could also be due to rotting and possibly to unstable or damaged floor joists.
- Water leaking anywhere.This is usually a fix for a plumber, but if the water has been leaking long enough or in the right place, it can cause damage to the area around the leak such as floors, cabinet bottoms, cabinet doors, walls and just about anything that isn't sealed against water.
- Siding or roof shingles loose or missing.Any exterior problems can lead to interior damage if water can get through. Water WILL eventually get through anything that is not sealed properly. Under your roof shingles and siding is just wood, and water loves to rot through exposed wood! Both shingles and siding can be repaired, but if the damage has gone on long enough, the wood behind or under may need replacing.
- Soffits or any exterior trim rotted, loose or missing.Eventually this can cause damage to the inside of your house if water can get through the rotted, loose or missing areas. Also, birds or rodents may take up residence inside your roof! The rotted areas will have to be removed and replaced. Could be a simple or complicated fix depending upon the extent of the damage.
- Deck boards or rails rotted, broken or missing.Decks are a complicated issue. The deck may belong to you but if someone gets hurt because the deck isn't up to par, you could be held liable. Most any board or rail can be replaced, but the real issue may be underneath in the joists, and you just won't know until you take off the affected boards on top.
- Other things.Light fixtures hanging from their wires. Towels bars attached by one end. Cabinet doors falling off. Trim and molding that doesn't match or is missing. All of these things can be improved without too much time or expense if they are cosmetic.
Routine maintenance is a must for every home, no matter how "maintenance free" your home may be. We can help you by checking and cleaning the items listed below:
- Dryer vents
- Gutters
- HVAC filters
- Stove hood vent
- Bathroom exhaust fans
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