Are you making these home maintenance mistakes?
By Thumbtack Staff•Last updated Nov 10, 2022
Last updated Nov 10, 2022
Table of Contents
- Mistake #1: Ignoring “minor” problems
- Mistake #2: Forgetting to winterize your property
- Mistake #3: Trimming your trees at the wrong time
- Mistake #4: Giving pests easy entry into your home
- Mistake #5: Not tightening your plumbing
- Mistake #6: Refusing to upgrade older appliances
- Mistake #7: Using a power washer when you shouldn’t
- Mistake #8: Turning to drain cleaners too often
- Mistake #9: Doing your own home demolition
- Mistake #10: Not having the right tools
- Mistake #11: Setting your water heater temperature too high
- Mistake #12: Ignoring your gutters
- Mistake #13: Not knowing where your water shut-off valves are located
- Mistake #14: Forgetting to replace your HVAC filters
- Mistake #15: Neglecting your dryer vents
- Mistake #16: Slacking on lawn care during the fall and winter
- Mistake #17: Not resealing counters, tiles, grout and other surfaces
- Mistake #18: Skipping the deep cleaning
- Mistake #19: Biting off more than you can chew
- Mistake #20: Not using a maintenance checklist
- Find maintenance pros on Thumbtack
Find local pros for your project
Search for pros
Being a homeowner is a great feeling. However, there’s one thing that some people forget until it’s too late: you have to stay on top of important maintenance tasks. If not, you could hurt your home’s value and end up paying for expensive repairs down the road. Keep reading to see the worst maintenance mistakes that could impact your home, wallet — and even your health and safety.
Mistake #1: Ignoring “minor” problems
You notice a tiny drip in your sink. Your toilet is running. Your roof has a few loose shingles. Or your lights dim whenever you power up a new kitchen appliance. These issues may not seem urgent, but they can be signs that you need a repair.
Letting a small problem go can lead to an emergency plumber, roofer, or another professional needing to handle a much bigger issue. That usually means spending more money, and it can also cause damage to your home that may require a full replacement. In some cases, emergency professionals may charge higher rates if you need them to visit ASAP.
Mistake #2: Forgetting to winterize your property
You should winterize your property in the fall and early winter every year, both inside and outside. Start by insulating your pipes and water heater. Next, put away your hose and protect your spigot with a foam insulation box.
Don’t forget to drain your sprinklers if you have an in-ground sprinkler system. Skipping this step can be costly when you find out your sprinklers aren’t working in the spring because a pipe burst over the winter. You may need to replace pipes, and your yard may need to be dug up to find the problem pipe.
Mistake #3: Trimming your trees at the wrong time
Trees are a significant part of your landscape. They provide shade in the summer and act as a windbreak. Unfortunately, they are also an expensive investment. Ignoring your trees could set you up for an expensive problem.
There are a few times throughout the year when you should trim your trees:
- When your trees are dormant, usually during winter for many species. This helps ensure your tree will blossom and thrive in spring.
- When your tree branches are dying or decayed. This helps prevent branches from breaking off and falling on your roof, car, shed, fence, and other structures on your property.
Mistake #4: Giving pests easy entry into your home
Your home is your sanctuary, not a sanctuary for critters. Calling in a pest professional for termites, raccoons, or other creepy crawlies can be expensive. You may also need other professionals, like a carpenter, to replace wood in your home that's been destroyed by termites. Letting pests inside your home can also harm your health, since some carry diseases.
Regularly inspect your house for cracks, crevices, ripped screens, chimneys, and other areas where mice, rats, cockroaches, and pests can enter, then repair these areas. To help prevent termites, keep firewood and mulch away from your home's exterior, seal cracks around plumbing lines and the foundation, maintain a moisture-free foundation, and routinely check wooden surfaces for signs of termites.
Mistake #5: Not tightening your plumbing
Your plumbing is often something you don’t pay much attention to until something goes wrong. But it’s a good idea to regularly check your plumbing to make sure nothing is coming loose. Common problem areas include appliances that use water, such as a dishwasher. Check these connections and make sure nothing is loose as part of your regular monthly maintenance routine. This can help prevent flooding and water damage.
Mistake #6: Refusing to upgrade older appliances
Some homeowners overlook their older appliances. If you’re having to repair your appliances more often than not, it may be time for an upgrade. That old dryer, dishwasher, or washing machine is also probably using more energy than newer, more energy-efficient models. Stop wasting money, water, and time on old appliances, and consider upgrading.
Mistake #7: Using a power washer when you shouldn’t
Washing away the dirt and grime on your siding, fence, garage door, and deck is satisfying. Some videos online show how well a fancy power washer can clean. But proceed with caution — you can damage your home if you use a power washer incorrectly or apply too much pressure to loose or softer surfaces. If you don’t know how to use one, consider hiring a professional.
Mistake #8: Turning to drain cleaners too often
Has your sink been acting up so often that you’ve stocked up on drain cleaners? Unfortunately, using chemical solutions for a severely clogged sink might cause more issues. Sometimes drain cleaners push a clog down instead of removing it completely, which can make it harder for a professional to clear the clog from your pipes later.
The chemicals in some cleaners may also corrode and damage your pipes to the point where you’ll need a professional to repair or replace them. That can get expensive. Save yourself the effort, time, and money by calling a plumber to fix your clogged pipes. It’s much more affordable to have a professional unclog your pipes than to replace them.
Mistake #9: Doing your own home demolition
Want to give your home a more open concept? It’s almost always a bad idea to handle this on your own. Say you decide to demo a wall that’s load-bearing. That can damage your home significantly and make it unsafe to live in. Another complication: you likely have plumbing, electrical, and HVAC components in the areas you want to demo. For big, complicated home projects, leave it to the pros.
Mistake #10: Not having the right tools
Ever start a project and realize you don’t have the right tools? It can be frustrating, and in some cases, lead you to do the task improperly. For example, if you try to cut tile without a tile saw, you might break your tools. You could also damage your tiles, which means buying more tile to replace the ones you can’t use.
If you don’t want to buy the right tools, consider renting them from a nearby retailer or calling in professionals. A professional will have the correct tools and the expertise to get the job done right the first time.
Mistake #11: Setting your water heater temperature too high
Take a look at the temperature setting on your water heater. If it’s set to the maximum temperature, usually 140 degrees, you could be wasting “$36 to $61 annually in standby heat losses,” according to the Department of Energy. On the flip side, you could save $400 by using water at a lower temperature. Turn down the setting to 120 degrees or below to create a more energy-efficient home and save more money every year.
Mistake #12: Ignoring your gutters
Most homeowners know it’s crucial to maintain your roof with regular inspections and maintenance, but gutters often go overlooked. They provide an essential service by funneling water away from the sides of your home and your foundation. Clean them regularly, and make sure they’re secure to help protect your home from water damage and foundation issues down the line.
Mistake #13: Not knowing where your water shut-off valves are located
When you have a water leak in your home, every second counts. The longer it takes to turn off the water, the more can pour onto your furniture, electronics, and floors. Locating the different water shut-off valves quickly can make a huge difference in the amount of cleanup you’ll need to do and how much you’ll have to spend to repair the damage. In most homes, you’ll have a main shut-off valve around your home’s perimeter where the water comes into your home. Check the basement, crawlspace, garage, and near your water heater.
Mistake #14: Forgetting to replace your HVAC filters
Your HVAC system is like the lungs of your home, and its filters are vital to the system’s health. If you have dirty filters, your HVAC system has to work harder. An HVAC system that’s working overtime to keep up with your heating and cooling demands can break down, requiring repairs or even a costly replacement. That’s thousands of dollars down the drain.
Plus, a dirty filter will result in more dust, dirt, and debris going into your ductwork and flying throughout your home. For individuals with respiratory health issues, this can exacerbate their condition. Do yourself and your HVAC a favor, and replace your air filters every three months or so.
Mistake #15: Neglecting your dryer vents
Cleaning your dryer vents is vital to preventing a fire in your home. If you notice that your clothes aren’t getting dry after a cycle, there’s a good chance you may need to clean out your dryer vent. You can use inexpensive tools to vacuum the dryer vent inside your dryer and the hose that lets the hot air exhaust out of your home. Or, you can hire a professional to take care of this task for you.
Mistake #16: Slacking on lawn care during the fall and winter
Sometimes homeowners assume that their lawns and plants only need attention during the warmer months, but that’s not true. Your lawn needs special attention during the colder months in order to thrive in spring. During fall, focus on mulching, aerating, and fertilizing your lawn. When winter comes, continue to water until the first freeze, cut your grass a bit shorter, around 2 to 2.5 inches, and prune your plants.
Mistake #17: Not resealing counters, tiles, grout and other surfaces
If you’ve installed new tile floors or a granite countertop, you know how expensive it can be. Avoid wasting money on a big repair or replacement by sealing your surfaces as needed. Sealing can help protect your surfaces from issues such as water damage, mold growth, warping, sun damage, and more. In short, applying a sealant can help your counters, flooring, driveway, patio, fences, and decks last longer.
Generally, you can seal your grout once or twice a year. For everything else, including concrete driveways, granite counters, and wood fences, follow your manufacturer’s recommendations. Usually, you’ll need to seal your surfaces once a year or every couple of years, depending on the material and its condition.
Mistake #18: Skipping the deep cleaning
Sure, you clean and mop your floors regularly, do the dishes daily, and dust on occasion. But when’s the last time you deep cleaned your home? You know, scrubbed the grease off your oven, washed your windows, vacuumed your upholstery, cleaned behind your appliances, and dusted your baseboards?
A deep cleaning isn’t just about keeping your home clean — it involves scrubbing and sanitizing your home to eliminate germs, dirt, and grime. Deep cleaning can help you maintain a healthy and long-lasting home.
Mistake #19: Biting off more than you can chew
DIY projects are a trendy topic these days. Most people would like to handle home projects like installing a new floor or fixing that leaking sink. Unfortunately, some homeowners make the mistake of starting work on a task they’re not equipped or trained to do. This can make the project more expensive than if they hired a professional in the first place.
Mistake #20: Not using a maintenance checklist
Maintaining your home takes time and energy, but you can make it easier by doing one simple thing: create a checklist broken down by month, season, and year. Write down the important tasks you need to complete each season, and include local professionals' contact information for any projects you’re not equipped to do.
Find maintenance pros on Thumbtack
Are you guilty of any of these maintenance mistakes? Knowing what maintenance is required, when it’s needed, and whether it’s within your skill level can help you avoid costly mistakes. When you need help in your home, you can turn to Thumbtack for pro assistance.
Download the Thumbtack app today to connect with experienced professionals in your area.
How it works.
Search.
Browse profiles, see prices and use filters to find pros who match your project.
Chat.
Contact the pros you like to discuss project details.
Hire.
Check pro availability and book appointments right in the app.
Find local pros for your project
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll show you pros right for the job, with prices.