Taking care of a home means being responsible for it, which includes investing in the maintenance and repairs to keep it in good condition. As you get used to living in your home, there are some repairs that might not be the most urgent, like a damaged fence board or some plasterboard damage that could be repaired. However, on the other hand, you should ensure that you don’t take such a lackadaisical stance towards the issues we’re going to cover here. These are the real home emergencies that you need to act on ASAP.
Faulty Electrical Wiring
A flickering lightbulb might not be too much of a concern at first glance, but it could be an indication of something much worse happening beneath the surface. Issues such as buzzing outlets, breaker trips, or even the smell of burning plastic in the home could be a sign of outdated or damaged electrical wiring. From overloaded circuits to deteriorating wire insulation, these can pose serious fire risks. If your home is older or has undergone DIY wiring, it’s especially important to have a certified electrician inspect it. Don’t delay on this one, as even a seemingly minor electrical fault could jeopardize your home and the safety of your family. Faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires.
Water Leaks Under Sinks Or Behind Walls
Some leaks, like one from a faucet, should be fixed, but aren’t likely to cause too much damage. However, if there’s even a small drip outside of your sink or bathtub, you should act even sooner. Leaks rarely stay minor, as the damage that caused the leak is likely to get worse over time, especially with the added pressure of continuous water escaping. Any leak can lead to mold, rot, warped cabinetry, ruined flooring, and attract pests. If you catch a musty smell, bubbling paint, or unexplained dampness, act quickly and call a plumber. Leaks in hidden areas like under the sink or behind walls, can cause a lot of damage because they tend to go unnoticed until the symptoms become too major to ignore.
A Leaking Or Sagging Roof
Sometimes, a leak from the roof might be due to one missing or damaged shingle. However, if leaks are becoming more prevalent, leading to common occurrences of water dripping from the ceiling, dark stains forming on your walls, or damp patches in the attic after rain, don’t wait, as your roof could be in serious danger of emergency roof repair issues. This is also true of any signs of structural damage, like your roof starting to sag rather than standing straight, or dips in its outward appearance. This might indicate that there’s damage to the beams inside, which could require either spot replacement or even an entirely new roof system. Either of these issues can lead to significant water damage or even total roof collapse if not handled in time.
A Malfunctioning Boiler
If your boiler is making strange noises, failing to maintain temperature, or showing error codes, don’t delay. A faulty heating system, especially in colder months, can lead to frozen pipes, poor air quality, and an unsafe home environment. Faults with your boiler can also lead to real carbon monoxide risks, especially in older boilers. Of course, this is just one more reason that it’s important to test your carbon monoxide alarm once a month and replace it every couple of years. Waiting to fix a failing system can leave you without heat when you need it most, or force you into an emergency replacement at peak pricing times. Annual boiler checks can ensure that you stay on top of it and fix any issues before they become too major.
When Should You Worry About A Crack?
Some cracks can be relatively harmless, but others are potentially signs of much more serious structural damage below the surface. For instance, if you see diagonal cracks wider than a few millimetres in walls, gaps around window or door frames, or your floors becoming uneven, you may be facing foundation movement. Foundations can move and become damaged for a host of reasons, such as poor water diversion from the home to tree roots starting to encroach on them. Either way, hiring a foundation specialist might be crucial to keep your home from sinking into itself over time.
Whether it’s due to the potential for even greater damage, more costly repairs, or even risks to your health and safety, these are the home repairs you should act on as soon as you notice them. It’s important to know when you can’t delay.
