So she turned the sprinklers off.
Then Starrett got another alert saying her water bill was going to be $1,000.
A plumber came out, listened to the pipes and heard water running.
Turns out, a backyard pipe was leaking.
You just hope it will go away, Starrett said.
But I knew there had to be something because your water just doesnt just disappear.
Much of it was the concern about having someone in their house during the pandemic.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
You shouldnt delay things that can lead to bigger issues.
8 Home Repairs You Cant Afford to Put Off
1.
Dont ignore higher-than-normal water bills.
As Starrett realized, they were a sign something was wrong somewhere.
Anything Involving Electricity
Do you have lights that flicker?
Switches or outlets that stopped working?
GFI outlets that wont reset?
These can be signs of electrical problems.
Any of those things when it comes to electricity should be considered important and time sensitive.
In houses built between 1965 and 1974, connections in some older aluminum wiring may be failing.
Older houses built in the 1950s and before had knob and tube wiring.
The connections could be going bad.
Circuits can be overloaded.
Sometimes when people update their homes, they dont update the wiring.
Electrical problems can lead to fires, and fires can lead to injury or property damage.
Pests
Bugs and rodents might be small, but they can cause big issues.
Termites can do an extensive amount of damage over a period of time.
If they go undetected for three or four years, minor damage becomes pretty heavy damage, Wanninger said.
When you hear noises in your attic, its often either mice, rats, squirrels, or raccoons.
Peeling Caulk and Paint
See #1: Water.
We dont think about cracked joints in your tile bathroom.
Before you know it, you get yourself a $2,000 or $3,000 repair, Wanninger said.
The same for paint.
Paint is like skin for the house.
It protects it from water and pests.
Removing that protection can cause problems.
In the winter, that moisture can freeze and eventually melt, causing a leak.
In the summer, excess moisture can lead to mold and mildew.
Cracks
Some cracks in walls and foundations are harmless, but they arent something to ignore.
One thing concrete does is crack, its pretty standard, Wanninger said.
Keep an eye on the size of the cracks.
Measure the length and width periodically and note any changes.
Better yet, replace your batteries annually when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time.
That could bring deadly gasses into the house.
Theres no second-guessing that.
It would cause carbon monoxide poisoning, Wanninger warned.
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