Owning a home comes with a lot of freedom. You can paint the walls, plant flowers, and decorate exactly the way you want. But owning a home can be expensive if you end up having to make costly replacements, especially if you’re making those replacements earlier than necessary.
Here are five of the most expensive home replacements along with tips on how you can avoid them.
Furnace Replacement
A furnace replacement is one of the most costly upgrades you can make to your home. It’s true that all furnaces have to be replaced eventually, but you shouldn’t be stuck footing the bill for thousands of dollars on a new furnace if you don’t have to.
You should search for “furnace repair near me” at the first sign of trouble. If your unit is making strange noises or if it can’t seem to keep up with your thermostat, it’s time for a checkup. By catching problems early, you could fix the issue instead of having to replace your entire furnace, which can save you a lot of money.
While you’re at it, schedule a tune-up once a year. Professionals can make sure your system is clean and functioning properly, helping you to avoid issues in the first place.
Roof Installation
You don’t want to have to replace your roof any earlier than you have to, as a new roof costs an average of $10,000.
You should always call in a professional if there’s a leak, no matter how small. You need to call someone right away if you notice there are shingles missing too.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to your roof. Call in a professional to inspect your roof 10 years after installation, then again every 3 to 5 years after that so you can identify and repair issues before they cause serious problems.
Septic Tank Replacement
Replacing your septic tank is expensive, but it’s also messy and disgusting. It’s not something you should have to worry about, as long as you know how to take care of your septic system:
- Have your tank inspected at least once every three years and have it pumped
- Use your water efficiently by installing high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators
- Properly dispose of waste, which means never flushing items like wipes, feminine products, or paper towels
- Maintain your drainfield by keeping it clear of plants and other systems, like roof drains and sump pumps
You also have to be careful about what you pour down the drain. Things that don’t decompose easily, like oil, can clog your septic system. Using a garbage disposal is a bad idea too, as food waste can accumulate as scum and sludge that can work their way into your drainfield, increasing the bacterial layer and clogging pipes.
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Hot Water Heater Replacement
Replacing a hot water heater can be expensive, but it’s also one of the most inconvenient replacements you can make. Without your hot water heater, you can’t take a shower, wash your dishes, or clean laundry that requires a hot water cycle.
You can avoid a hot water catastrophe in the first place by maintaining your hot water heater. That means doing things like:
- Draining and flushing the tank
- Inspecting the anode rod
- Adjusting the temperature setting
If you feel uncomfortable doing any of this yourself, you should call in a professional to do it for you. Either way, it’s a good idea to have a professional plumber inspect your water heater every year or two to make sure everything is running smoothly.
Mold Remediation
Mold isn’t something you want to have to deal with. It can cause a whole host of health problems, and it can be a costly issue to deal with. Some mold can be cleaned up, but if it’s allowed to grow for too long, it could require replacing drywall and flooring, which can be expensive.
It’s much better to prevent mold from growing in your home in the first place by:
- Using dehumidifiers to keep humidity levels low
- Making sure air flows freely through your home by using exhaust fans and opening windows
- Fixing leaks as soon as they pop up
- Using paint that includes a mold inhibitor
There will come a day when certain replacements will need to be made, but there’s no reason to spend thousands of dollars to do it when you shouldn’t have to. Follow the tips on this list and you can get the most out of your systems and appliances before they need to be replaced.
