21 ways of damaging your home, according to your master

It's time to talk about all these extension agreements.


We love all these HGTV emissions where the benefits adoptHouses And return them to breathtaking places to any home buyer will sneak. But what you do not see is how these properties become so decrepled in the first place. It is not usually a big catastrophe that transforms a house into a Hovel, but rather a series of small factors that eliminate a home over time - damaging it how the average owner can not even realize.

To this end, we enlisted home palms, renovation experts and other practical professionals to provide essentialtips On what type of damage you do without knowing your precious Pad. Here are 21 things that every owner should avoid doing to keep their place in peak shape.

1
Ignore leaks

Kitchen sink home problems
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If you are not already diligent about it, you should keep your eyes for leaks - then act immediately when you spot a (even if it's the smallestdrip You have already seen). What could be just a small dark spot under your sink today could result in significant damage. Domestic expertLara describes the worst scenario forLogic of the house: "You need structural repair, more new cabinets and new kitchen flooring. Or roof breeds, so you need a new roof and repair parts directly below."

2
Use the wrong tools

toolbox, over 40
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You must use the right tool for the job. The use of a slot head for a crucial heading screw can make a homewriter remedy worse.

And do not have quality tools is a problem too. "Buy quality brands [when they are on sale] or buy used tools in a local auction or a real estate sale", exhorts the device. "Then give up these manufacturing tools that have always frustrated you."

3
Using bad painting

Old Cans of Paint things no woman over 50 should own
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Choicegood painting implies a lot more than choosing a color. AsLou Manfredini, the official expert of ACE HARDWARE, explained toBanking rate, bad painting resembling a transparent sealant that can not block UV rays for an outdoor terrace - can cause long-term problems for a home. "The sun and the rain tear the devil of the wood," he says.

4
Or ignore painting with detection

Home Exterior with Chipping Paint Home Hazards
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These flaking spots on the facade of your home would seem nothing more than an aesthetic problem, but if you do not know the painting to lightning for too long, you will have more serious problems on your hands.

"If the paint flows, there are holes in your shield, and it's a problem. He leaves in the humidity that can rot the bones of your house. A little water is transformed into a big problem, fast, "writes a reshapeer of the house seriesBanna Potts forLogic of the house. "The more the water that affresses through these cracks, the greater the cracks, leaving even more water."

5
Leave the members of trees grow on your home

fallen tree in a front yard
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They could provide shadow and look lush, but allowing thick tree members to fly over your home being disastered. Not only can they decompose into a storm, potentially put a hole through your roof, but, according to Potts, "these members can be a highway in your home for pests like raccoons and squirrels, who could end up in Your attic or gnawing electric wires. "As a precaution, keep members cut at least six feet above the house.

6
Repair your own roof

Man Installing a New Roof, home renovation cost
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Setting a roof yourself may seem an easy way to save money - and fill a few weekends - but as everything pro will tell you, it's not something for lovers. "You can not only hurt yourself if you try to repair your roof alone, but you can also damage your roof and find you more costly repairs from a professional," saysJ.B. SassanoPresident ofMr. Handyman, a commercial and residential repair, maintenance and improvement franchise. "Limit your interaction with your roof with seasonal balances."

7
Isolate your attic alone

Insulation on the Attic Floor {How to Winterize a Home}
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What is the hardness of the insulation installation? Just slap a few foam leaves and you're done, right? Well, in fact, not so fast ... "Many people do not understand the amount of insulation to use throughout the attic," says Sassano. "Too much insulation in the wrong place can cause wood rot." And, what is worse, that's what probably a few years ago even before making the mistake of your ways.

8
Or fully overlooking insulation

windowsill, interior design mistakes
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Do not properly isolate your windows can mean significant heat loss (or air conditioning, depending on the season). Not only does this make your home less energy efficient, but mediocre insulation can cause moisture to sneak and all kinds of other problems.

"Without significant heat loss through convective leaks or airflow, isolated windows provide uniform temperature throughout the interior of the house, increasing energy efficiency," writesAndrew AgucheekofHow trick works. "They also allow heated houses to maintain a higher moisture level and therefore better air quality, with a reduced condensation risk on the windows".

9
Put literal bricks in your toilet

toilet against a sea green wall, diy hacks
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We know what you are trying to do by putting this heavy brick in the tank of your toilets: moving water tohelp keep resources. It's a noble goal, but as an expert in home improvementKelley Walters explains onLogic of the house"Brick crumbles when she is exposed to water for too long."

Instead, she suggests going to a high efficiency toilet. "At $ 100 to $ 300 by toilet, annual water savings of $ 230 are worth it", Walters note. "Or simply exchange your brick with a half gallon milk jug filled with sand."

10
Place devices near the thermostat

thermostat in cooler part of the home, relationship white lies
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"Make sure that no lamp, televisions or other appliances are too close to the thermostat", advisesMark Dawns, director of exploitation atAuthority marks, who owns home repair companiesTime of heating and air conditioning andMr. Sparky. "Your thermostat can record the rise in temperature and react accordingly, resulting in higher bills in summer and a colder house in winter."

11
By using adapters on two-spindle points of sale

Three prong outlet home problems
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The three gray outlets have not become standard in North American homes until the end of the 1960s. So, while modern houses should be in good shape, there are many houses with old points. for sale with two parts. And the owners who find themselves with the old-fashioned outlets must not use adapters to convert them to fit three-pin plugs.

"The earth's thread is there for security and simply bypass it creates a potentially serious danger," says Dawson. "Instead, you should consider upgrading the outlet if you need to use three-pin plugs regularly."

12
Using an indoor extension outside

Orange Extension Cord
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You will probably find any extension of will do when you try to configure your external speakers. But choosing the bad can create big problems.

"If an extension cord is not classified for outdoor use, it may overheat and cause fire," says Dawson. "Outdoor usage ratings are viewed visibly on packaging for new extensions, but they are often printed directly on the cord vest, referred to in the letter 'W.' If you see the letter 'S' instead, you know that this cord is noted for general use. "

13
Forgetting the foundation

crack in brick foundation, signs your home is falling apart
Shutterstock / Gagarin Iurii

"Foundation problems usually arise because of heavy periods of rain or plumbing," saidChuck Naish, founder ofRepair of the residential foundation of the city In Ontario, Canada. And avoid or extinguish the repair of your base only allows more water to flee, which can lead to mold.

As you know, not only mildew damaged your home, it can also posea lot of health risksFor you and your family (as allergies, headaches and short-term vertigo, and loss of memory, insomnia, anxiety and long-term depression).

14
Or forget to unlock the "arteries" of your home

Gutter full of leaves strange house noises
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Your gutters and descent descents are basically the circulatory system of your home. In other words, they keep things unlocked and moving smoothly.Ron HumenofPost modern marketing, who previously worked as a builder and owner of a remodeling company, said the gutters and downscounted descents can do more damage to your roof and foundation than to imagine, especially when you add temperatures of Freezing, upright files, snow and ice in the mixture. .

"The water souass, freezes and carries the water frozen up your roof, damage the shingles, roof sheath, soffits and fascia," explains humans. "The excess weight causes the gutters to fall, so that they no longer empty the water as designed. The water spreads on the sides of the gutters where it falls next to your foundation and causes Floods or floods in your basement, your space or your slab. "

So, what can you do to prevent this kind of catastrophe? "After the leaves fell trees, make sure to clean the gutters and make sure that the water comes out of descent descents," suggests humans.

15
Leave your drive become decrepit

Repairing Driveway Boosting Your Home's Curb Appeal
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You drive it at least a few times a day with a metal of several thousand pounds, so yes, your driven absolutely needs attention. "If you do not take care of your driveway, just like some of your home, it will cost you," saysMichael Coacci, Director of the operation ofH2GO Mobile Wash, a power-washing franchise in Canada. "For example, if there is a stain of oil or gasoline, clean it immediately, otherwise the concrete will absorb it and make it much more difficult to wash. Avoid avoiding any chemical from Defrosting when melting snow your driveway during the winter. By doing so, you may damage the surface of your driveway. Instead, stick with rock salt or even sand. "

16
Neglect to pay your HVAC

woman turning on the air conditioning
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These filters in your heating, your ventilation andair conditioner Systems (HVAC) can become dirty over time. Not only does this lead them to work less efficiently, but this can also damage other temperature-related systems at home. So, make them check worth your moment.

"The money dedicated to a CVC development can be recovered with increased efficiency and lower utility bills," says Humet. "In addition, there is no maintenance on your HVAC system can also result in a complete premature system or failure, which can replace." Needless to say, it will cost you!

17
Hide your HVAC

HVAC unit behind shrubs, ways you're damaging your house
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Something that can cause damage to your home, even if you try to make it more aesthetically enjoyable - is when you try to camouflage your air conditioning system by masking behind shrubs or another barrier. "Envy is understandable," says Dawson. "The unit is probably not the most attractive element of your landscaping. However, surrounding her plants or shrubs could block adequate ventilation and clog the system. Make sure that there is a lot of open space. "

18
Store too much under the porch

porch lattice surprising home features
Shutterstock / Richard L. Bowman

This area under your deck may seem ideal for stuffing, saying, an extra bike, or a large kayak. But if you start packing in supplies, leave the room under your home, you can prepare for the problem.

"Packing in outdoor furniture, a ladder, grill, and more during the out of season season can hinder the circulation of air, trap moisture and build enough heat to deform the boards", writesSAL VAGLICA forThis old house. Instead, try to leave at least 12 inches of open space under the joists so that the air can move freely.

19
Forget your pathman

fireplace with stone surround, things you shouldn't store in your basement
Shutterstock / Carol A. Hudson

That does not likeFun around the fireplaceOn cool nights? But while chestnuts roast, there may be an accumulation in the combustion path, which is a common cause of household fires in autumn and winter. "I personally had two friends who have lost their home to fires from the fireplace," explains humans. "To be safe, contact a fireplace scanner to have them clean and inspect your chimney before it's too late."

20
Store firewood near your home

basket of firewood in home things in your house attracting pests
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Maybe you are old and you like using real firewood rather than an electric fireplace or even gas. We get it, but be wise on where you store your firewood. As Edge explains, that the Woodpile can become "a comfortable winter house for ... unwanted creatures like mice, termites and cockroaches". Not to mention, it is also a risk of fire.

21
Slamming doors

doorknob woman opening door, things you should clean every day
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Beyondunpleasant noise that does this creates, breakdown doors can also damage your home. "Slamming several times a coarse entrance door pushes its amount of alignment", writes Vaglicia. "Over time, the momentum can force the opening door, causing the sewing where the garnish meets the amount of ham to separate, leaving an external gap where moisture and cold air can infiltrate . "And for more wise home care advice, try them.33 Super old-scale cleaning tips.

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Categories: Smarter Living
Tags: Home
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