10 MOST COMMON HOME MAINTENANCE ISSUES AND THE KEY WARNING SIGNS
There’s an old expression that goes: “If walls could talk.” This saying refers to all the secrets a home can hold, including the little problems that seem to crop up out of nowhere.
Fortunately, you don’t need your walls to speak to pinpoint the most common home maintenance issues. You just have to recognize visual warning signs, listen for unusual sounds, and interpret what your home is telling you. Think flickering lights, strange basement noises, or musty odors.
At Conway Services, we want homeowners to feel completely confident in what their home is telling them so they get the help they need. We have 10 common household ‘messages’ telling you it’s time for an inspection, tune-up, or repair.
We serve homeowners in the broader Memphis area. Give us a call if your home needs a check-up, and we’ll be happy to help.
10 MOST COMMON HOME MAINTENANCE ISSUES (AND WHAT TO DO)
It’s best to spot a small problem early then wait for it to become a huge pain later. Below are 10 common concerns related to heating, cooling, plumbing, and indoor air quality.
1. DUSTINESS OR MUSTINESS
Musty smells in your home, including in your basement or attic, could indicate a water leak with a moisture build-up. Damp conditions combined with lukewarm or cool temperatures creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew to grow.
We recommend contacting a professional plumber for a thorough investigation to locate the source of the leak. Attempting a DIY fix could mean missing the root of the problem, allowing it to return later.
If you notice dusty or musty smells when turning on your furnace or HVAC, that’s normal if you haven’t used your systems in a while. It may simply mean your filters need replacing or your vents need cleaning.
2. STRANGE ODORS
While dusty or musty smells can indicate a dirty filter or potential leak, a burning or rotten egg smell is serious. You need to contact an HVAC professional right away, since burning can point to an electrical issue and rotten egg smells can point to a gas leak.
Turn off your furnace or HVAC immediately, and then call 911 from a safe location outside of your home. You’ll get a professional on the case that can pinpoint the issue and fix it quickly.
3. UNUSUAL DRAFTINESS
Do you feel mysterious breezes blowing around you, even when all the doors and windows are shut? It just means your weather stripping and/or caulking aren’t quite up to snuff.
Unless you take proper corrective action, you could have a long, cold winter on your hands. Without proper sealing, your home can lose heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, which can result in higher energy bills.
4. SLOW DRAINING
Have you been dealing with a bathtub that takes too long to drain or a kitchen sink that doesn’t drain like it used to a few days ago? Slow drainage is one of the most common home maintenance issues and is usually a sign you have a growing clog that needs your attention.
Over time, build-up can gradually stick to the sides of your pipes and eventually get big enough to slow down your drainage. This build-up comes from soap scum, food particles, stray bits of hair, and anything else that makes it inside.
5. SLOW WATER HEATING
Do you wait too long for your shower to heat up or lose valuable time waiting for your kitchen water to be ready for dishes? Your water heater might have sediment build-up that is slowing down the heating process.
Hard water (a term for water with a high concentration of minerals like magnesium or calcium) gradually sticks inside your water heater. Your routine home care should include flushing your water heater at least once per year.
A slow water heater can also come from old age. Water heaters usually need replacing after seven to eight years.
6. WATER PRESSURE PROBLEMS
A ‘water hammer’ is a noise you hear from a faucet right after turning it off. Typically, this sound comes from an increase in water pressure. If the sound persists, contact your plumber to restore your home’s water pressure levels to normal before any damage occurs.
7. MOISTURE IN THE ATTIC
An attic with unchecked moisture is a mold problem just waiting to happen. If you smell musty or dusty aromas, you need to look for possible insulation or airflow problems.
Poor insulation can make it easier for mold to grow. You can also have airflow issues that gradually build mold spores over time. If your ductwork connects to the attic, look into patching possible leaks or yearly cleaning to improve airflow.
8. RISING ENERGY BILLS
If you live in an area with very cold winters, it makes sense that you’d see higher heating bills in December and January. However, if these bills never seem to go down despite changes in your energy usage, it’s time to do some process of elimination.
One of the most common home maintenance issues that’s often overlooked is old appliances. You may have a very old refrigerator, washer and dryer, dishwasher, or HVAC system that’s no longer energy-efficient. Air leaks from poor sealing can also drive up energy costs.
9. FLICKERING LIGHTS
While storms can cause temporary flickering, persistent issues during clear weather may signal electrical problems. Possible causes include a tripped circuit breaker, loose bulbs, or daily electrical wiring in your switches. A professional inspection is recommended.
10. HVAC SYSTEM NOT HEATING OR COOLING
Is your HVAC system emitting weak heat or not cooling at all? It may have low refrigerant, faulty wiring, or be frozen over due to poor airflow.
If any of these issues sound familiar, don’t worry. You can schedule an appointment online to send one of our technicians over.
3 MAJOR WARNING SIGNS THAT NEED IMMEDIATE HELP
These common home maintenance problems can range from minor to serious. If you have any of these warning signs, call for help immediately.
1. BURNING OR ROTTEN EGG SMELLS
We can’t stress the importance of this warning sign enough. Any burning or rotten egg smell, even if you don’t know where it’s coming from, needs an emergency repair service on the case.
2. COMPLETE SHUTDOWNS
Has your HVAC system, furnace, or water heater completely shut down? This is a serious issue that may need a completely new installation.
3. PERSISTENT LEAKING
A stubborn leak could easily turn into a flood, even if it appears small. It’s better not to take chances, so get a plumber on the case so you can rest easy.
FINANCIAL TIPS FOR PREVENTATIVE HOME MAINTENANCE
Normal maintenance on a house is usually once or twice a year in a few key areas: plumbing, heating, and cooling. Some homeowners may also do maintenance for indoor air quality and ductwork.
While costs will depend on the severity of the problem and the rates of service provider, it’s wise to set aside a few hundred dollars for regular maintenance and additional savings for unexpected repairs.
We offer financing options and discounts to help you stay within your budget while still getting great service. Call us for a quote to get started.
CONWAY SERVICES WILL FIX YOUR HOME
No matter what’s ailing your home, we have the fix. Conway Services provides long-term solutions for all your heating, cooling, plumbing, and indoor air quality issues. We can also provide regular maintenance to catch small problems early.
Hiring our team to fix the most common home maintenance issues gets you benefits, such as our:
Broad service area for faster service
Pro Service Plan to get discounts on regular maintenance
Exceptional Service Guarantee for even more peace of mind
Enjoy the relief that comes with professional service. Contact us today for your home plumbing, heating, air conditioning, or drain cleaning needs!