If you asked a group of people what one of their least favorite thing to do is, a lot of them would probably say their habit of leaving household maintenance task until the last minute. It’s something that a lot of us do, and all for different reasons. Some of us work well under pressure and find that a dawning deadline is a perfect motivation for us to get work done. Others are simply poor with time management and find that they are always cutting things a little close. One aspect of our lives that we simply can’t leave until the last minute is anything to do with our homes.

You might think that you can put off certain household maintenance jobs and with some, you can. Your home isn’t going to completely collapse because you still haven’t painted that wall in the living room, after all. But, has that crack in the ceiling almost doubled in size since you first spotted it last year? It can be easy to shrug off issues like this, but by doing so, you could be opening your doors to a much bigger problem in the future. Here are some of the top examples of when you should act now, rather than pay later.

Household Maintenance that Can Not Be Put Off

Household Maintenance that Can Not Be Put Off

Pests

Found some dead bugs in your home, or notice an unusual smell somewhere in one of your rooms? Don’t ignore household maintenance job either – it could be a sign that you have a pest infestation. If a suspected infestation is simply left to its own devices, the results can be catastrophic. Pests such as bedbugs and termites multiply at an extraordinarily fast rate and once they have got past a certain number, you will find it impossible to keep on top of them on your own. You may even need to move out of your home for a few days while the pest control team sort out the issue. By hiring them at the first sign of any pests, you can avoid this scenario.

Failed heating system

Is there anything worse than not having any heating? It can be particularly tiresome during winter, of course, but a lack of hot water can be a pain all year round. If you notice anything amiss about your boiler or your hot water, there are a few things you can do. It could be an issue with the local area, so contact your local authority to see if there has been a problem. Or, consider the weather. If the temperature is very cold, there is a chance that your pipes could be frozen. If left alone, these pipes could eventually explode, so make sure you do something about it – like getting hold of some pipe heat tracing – as soon as possible.

Cracks in the walls/ceilings

That crack might have been there for as long as you could remember – but that doesn’t mean you should just continue to ignore it. Of course, some wall cracks are simply external blemishes. But some, on the other hand, can actually indicate a structural issue, which could end up being serious. Water damage and the shifting of foundations can all result in wall cracks, so it is best that you call a professional as soon as you can just to be on the safe side.

Other posts you might enjoy:

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Home Improvement Tips to Safeguard Your Home This Winter

Winter Home Improvements: 5 Easy Tips

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About the Author: Patricia Davis Brown

Patricia, like her blog, is not a one-dimensional designer, which is evident in her accolades of 17 national design awards. Over a 38-year career in the industry, she has carved a niche in several areas of design. Licensed in interior design and certified in kitchen and bath design, she offers a full menu of design services ranging from whole house interior design, kitchen and bath design, lighting design, full remodels, commercial design and universal (ADA) design. Patricia is a sought-after speaker in the industry and has been published in many publications as seen on her interior design firm’s website, https://www.patriciadavisbrowndesigns.com/. She writes for such publications as QuinStreetinc, Relaxed Remodeler, and eHow.com talent offering design tips.