There are certain things in your home that, if they begin to malfunction, you’ll notice rather quickly. To maintain your home’s comfort—and your family’s sanity—it’s critical to get regular maintenance checks to catch simple repairs before they become nightmarish situations. It’s all about nipping small problems in the bud before they become major ones.
Even if you’re a do-it-yourselfer at heart, sometimes it’s best to leave your home repairs up to the pros, but you should still know how to recognize when something in your home is on the fritz. Continue reading to learn what signs will let you know it’s time to put your DIY pride to the side and call a pro.
It may be time to call a plumber if…
Your plumbing is one of the most integral systems in your home. In fact, outside of the house and its foundation, your plumbing is the most important part of your home. Living without electricity is inconvenient, but living without water isn’t possible.
You may be able to stop the occasional link or unclog a sink, but if you see rust-colored water coming from your faucet, it’s time to call a real plumber. Even though rust-colored water is generally considered safe to drink, it’s not something you want to take your chances with.
A rustic color means there’s iron in your water and could indicate several problems. It may be a sign that it’s time to replace the pipes in your home or get a new water heater. The only way to know for sure is to let a professional plumber take a look.
Your HVAC system is malfunctioning when…
The purpose of a home is to protect you from the harsh outdoor elements, whether they be rain, extreme heat, or cold weather. One of the most frustrating feelings is when it’s a hot summer day, and the air in your house is as unbearable as the outdoor air, or you can’t get enough heat to make your home cozy during the cold weather months.
If you’re having problems both heating and cooling your home, then that’s a sign the heat pump outside the unit isn’t running. It could also be a malfunction with the thermostat, but only a certified HVAC technician should diagnose the problem. It’s a good idea to get your HVAC system checked during the spring, so you’ll be ready for the hot summer months.
It’s also a good idea to switch over to a smart thermostat. It’s the best way to save some money on utilities, help the planet, and it’s pretty cool to be able to use your phone to turn your A/C on while you’re on your way home from work.
It’s also crucial to maintain the air quality of your home by changing your air filter regularly. Have you ever studied an air filter that’s past it’s prime? You certainly wouldn’t cut a patch of fabric out of it and make a COVID mask, right? Well, you’re breathing in everything that passes through your filter, so you shouldn’t go a long time without checking it to make sure your airflow remains pristine.
You should call an appliance repair technician if you notice…
If you notice that your refrigerator has water gathered under it, then that’s a sign that it’s leaking, and you should have an appliance repair tech make a service call. One of the worst things you could do is try to fix your refrigerator, or any appliance, yourself if you’re not a technician.
People sustain serious injuries every day from high voltage appliances. All it takes is to be careless with a wet wire or forget to shut off your circuit breaker before operating on an appliance to have a kitchen accident you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Some of the most common kitchen accidents and injuries occur when people try to handle appliance repairs that are better left to the pros. You may be the lead chef in your kitchen, but if your refrigerator is starts leaking or making funny sounds, it’s a good idea to relinquish control of your kitchen to a technician.
Ultimately, it’s best to leave any major repairs to the professionals. Save the DIY stuff for fun projects.
