Fall is a great time to make Columbia SC home repairs because during the winter months, small problems can become expensive nightmares. The following tips can save you hundreds, if not thousands, in Columbia SC home repairs.
Outdoor Columbia SC Home Repairs
Take advantage of the cooler weather to do home and yard repairs and spruce-ups.
Leaves that have fallen can kill grass when they're matted all winter. Leaf piles can also attract rodents. But using leaf bags means work and waste if they go into a landfill.
Don't overlook your mower's mulching mode. Ground-up leaves feed your lawn and save money. You might need to make a few passes to slice the leaves small enough to decay.
Along with saving the cost of leaf bags, you avoid blisters on your hands and sidestep the stooping and bending of raking and bagging.
Check Your Roof
Leaks can eventually damage the wood sheathing and rafters below the shingles, leading to thousands of dollars in Columbia SC home repairs. Use binoculars to spot cracked, curled, or missing shingles from the ground. Consider having a roofing pro check flashing around chimneys, skylights, and roof valleys for leaks, and the rubber boots near vents for cracks that can let moisture seep in.
Clear Your Gutters
Gutters full of leaves, pine needles, and other debris allows water to spill over the side, pool around your home's foundation, and seep inside. Water that freezes in gutters can force snow and ice into roof shingles, causing damage and leaks. Consider a gutter-guard system to keep debris out and water in.
Close Your Hoses
Pipes can burst when water inside expands as it freezes, creating an expensive mess in your home. Shut off inside valves that control water flow to hose spigots. Then briefly open the spigots to drain any leftover water in pipes and hoses. Also drain water from supply lines for water sprinklers and pools, and shut off inside valves that control them. And help prevent freezing by insulating pipes in unheated areas.
Inside Columbia SC Home Repairs
Your furnace or heat pump will be less likely to fail on a cold day if you just take care of a little maintenance now.
Plug Leaks
The swiftest savings come from sealing air leaks in your home's walls, windows, and especially its ductwork. Duct insulating and sealing are best left to a professional. But you can use a combination of caulk, foam board, expandable sealant, and weather stripping to plug leaks around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and other openings in your home.
Automate Energy Savings
Simply lowering temperatures 10 to 15 degrees while you're at work or asleep can trim 15 percent off your heating bill if you use oil or gas to heat your home. You can lower temperatures manually on any thermostat or install a programmable thermostat (about $40 to $300) to do it for you.
If you use a heat pump, don't be making drastic changes in your thermostat setting. Doing so with a heat pump can actually cost you more when you crank up the temperature and cause your electric back up heat strips to kick in.
Replace Air Filters
A dirty air filter reduces heat and airflow, which can lead to expensive repairs. Check the air filter in the furnace or heat pump each month. Have a pro check the system annually, tightening electrical connections, lubricating moving parts, and checking drains, controls, and connections for oil and gas systems.
Clean Your Chimney
A wood-burning fireplace or stove may be cozy, but creosote buildup can block the flow of smoke and cause chimney fires and carbon-monoxide poisoning. Even unused chimneys can develop cracks that weaken the structure. If your chimney hasn't had a recent inspection, now's the time.
Just going through and making these simple Columbia SC home repairs and checking to make sure things are in order for winter, can save you thousands of dollars later on.
Planning to do some Columbia SC home repairs or remodeling before the holidays? Make sure you’re getting the best deals and find reputable contractors. That all starts with knowing how much materials cost and how much time you have to invest in the project yourself before even paying anyone to do the parts you may not be able or qualified to do.
Ways to Save on Your Columbia SC Home Repairs
Set a Realistic Budget. Put together a comprehensive list of repairs and the types of materials needed for each part of the project. If you’re hiring a contractor, consider the costs of hiring on an hourly rate (versus a quote for the whole job). Get quotes from multiple contractors and don’t be afraid to ask them for an estimate on materials. Try to make the budget for your Columbia SC home repairs as realistic and accurate as possible so you don’t get yourself into a bind by coming up short on funds to finish the project.
Shop Home Improvement Store Sales. Review store circulars and make a few trips to the store to get an idea of what things cost. Take your time to review prices of materials and compare those with online retailers and even your local big-box stores, like Walmart and SuperTarget. Don’t rule out warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club, especially if you’re buying items in bulk. You may be able to find some basic materials and supplies at a lower cost after you shop around.
Look for Manufacturer Rebates. Check manufacturer’s websites or store flyers to see if there are any rebates being offered on items you’re going to need for your Columbia SC home repairs. Some manufacturers offer rebates on certain types of equipment and supplies all year long, you just have to look for them. They’re not always advertised.
Don’t be Afraid to Negotiate. Get quotes from at least 3 or 4 reputable contractors and talk to each one about discounts or a better deal for the project. Let them know you’re “shopping around” so it will keep them honest on their quotes. Ask them to break down the estimate and show the cost of materials and labor so you’ll know exactly how much you’re paying for their expertise. Ask if they’ll offer a discount if you purchase materials yourself. Some contractors will do this to save them the time of doing it.
Check on Tax Credits. Some Columbia SC home repairs may qualify for tax credits. Check the IRS website to see if your project qualifies. Check with an accountant if you’re not sure how tax credits and deductions work, or use an online calculator to get an estimated tax savings breakdown.
We hope these tips will help you save a few dollars when you’re ready to start on your Columbia SC home repairs. Happy hammering.