Bought a New Home and Unsure How to Maintain it? Here are 3 Things to Lookout For

So you just bought a new home and can’t wait to get settled in. Congratulations. Buying a home is a landmark event in most people’s lives. You are now a proud homeowner and can enjoy the many perks of being one. There are few things that give you the sense of freedom as knowing you have a place of your own.

With that said, being a homeowner also has its share of responsibilities. It is easy to forget that taking care of your home involves a good deal of effort and energy. More importantly, it requires you to learn a bit about how to detect common issues related to home maintenance, a skill not everyone naturally possesses.

In this article, we will look at three common aspects that you will want to keep an eye out for periodically.

Water Damage

Unlike some countries where a lack of hurricanes and tornados allows for sturdier homes that use concrete, people in the US tend to use lighter construction materials like wood and drywall. This is because such materials are cheaper and faster to build with, which goes a long way in keeping home prices down.

However, the flip side is that homeowners need to be extra careful with regard to maintenance, especially with water damage. Though drywall can handle being exposed to water for short amounts of time, any long-term exposure will compromise its integrity. The same goes for wood, which will also warp and weaken if exposed to water for long periods.

Detecting water damage can be as easy as going through your home and looking for wet stains, damp odors, bulges in the wall, and in extreme situations, droplets and puddles of water leaking through floors or walls. Early detection of these is key and will allow your plumber to patch things up quickly and reliably.

Roofing Quality

Many people tend to forget about the roof of a home since they don’t see it most of the time. However, ensuring that it remains sturdy and weatherproof is critical. This is particularly crucial if you happen to live in an area where the nature of the weather can affect the roof.

This can happen in humid parts of the country like Charlotte, NC. During the summer months in Charlotte, the humidity can trap moisture in the insulation and cause mold build-up. It can be a nightmare as it also brings with it the potential to rust steel and other metals.

In addition, it is possible for humidity to soak up your insulation, and once it is wet, the possibility of warping starts to increase. You might be able to notice some signs of mold from inside your home, but this would only be for serious cases.

You would be better served by having a professional conduct a roof inspection. Charlotte, NC, has a number of companies that can provide you with a thorough examination and recommend actions to take.

If you are looking for suggestions on roof inspection professionals to hire, then companies like CDS Roofing are one option available to residents of Charlotte. They provide a range of roof maintenance and repair solutions.

Pest Infestations

Detecting pest infestations is also something that you will want to learn. Pests can range from bedbugs to termites and even rats. Some pests can be quite dangerous and even cause harm to your home and health. Pest droppings are the easiest way to tell if you have some sort of infestation.

Try looking for small black or brown droppings where you suspect pests to be, such as under sinks, near food storage areas, etc. If you can’t see any right away, it doesn’t mean that there are none. Try to keep your nose open for any weird odors and smells, and discover where it comes from.

Damage to plants in your garden is another telling sign that you have an infestation. Such infestations usually limit themselves to the garden but can sometimes spread to other areas of your home as well.

Gnaw marks on wood and plastic objects are an obvious sign that you might have a rodent infestation that needs urgent attention. Calling an exterminator for any of these situations can be vital to keeping your home well-maintained and safe.

Conclusion

It might seem intimidating to take care of a home at first, but it is important to remember that you don’t really need to be able to fix plumbing issues and deal with roof insulations by yourself. It is perfectly fine to leave these jobs to professionals, which is what a lot of people do these days.

There isn’t any shame in that, and you can always start learning the skills required in order to start handling simple maintenance by yourself.