photo: sea turtle
One aspect of homeownership that new and soon-to-be homeowners often ignore is the recurring and possibly steep cost of keeping that home in good shape.
According to a report by the University of Illinois Extension, homeowners need to budget 1% to 2% of the purchase price of their home, each year, to cover the costs of home maintenance and repairs. That’s $3,000 to $6,000 a year on a $300,000 home, and if it’s older or has appliances that will soon need to be replaced, you may need to set aside as much as twice that amount.
When it comes to the fine line between routine home maintenance costs and those that send you into a personal financial nightmare, the tipping point is your level of vigilance.
Here are some of the most common home maintenance issues and how you can keep a small problem from evolving into a hefty burden.
Water Drainage/Damage
While water damage is unavoidable if the foundation of your house is cracked, much of it is preventable. All you need to do is respond appropriately in weather conditions that are known to cause damage.
If you live in a cold climate, stay on top of the snowfall. David West, who owns Meadowview Construction, a remodeling and home renovations company in Georgetown, Mass., advises that homeowners clear the bottom few feet of snow from the roof, using a snow rake, as soon as possible after snowfall to prevent ice dams. These dams result in water creeping under the shingles, and eventually, leaking into your house. You’ll know them by that mysterious little drip on the ceiling or down around the window frames. On the surface, it may seem like a little burden that can be solved with the occasional bucket, but don’t be fooled. “It will cause some pretty serious water damage to the insulation and drywall,” says West.
Rain can also cause major issues that are avoidable. Kevin Leahy, the founder of a removable downspout system called “The Spout Off,” warns that non-working gutters aren’t just pointless, they’re harmful.
When rain is in the forecast, make certain that the gutter’s outlet (the hole in the gutter where the water flows out to the downspout) is clear of blockage. Failure to keep gutters working creates big costs like rotted boards, windowsills and water leaking into the foundation and basement.
Heating/Cooling Issues
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) reports that the most you can hope for out of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is 25 years. Furnaces and air conditioning units generally sputter at the 15-year mark. But they’ll hardly last even that long without proper maintenance.
West advises that gas/oil boilers and furnaces be cleaned and maintained each year. This service will cost you about $200, but is the “single most important thing you can do to ensure long life and efficiency” of these systems. At the time of service, you can also ask the technician to leave a copy of your system’s efficiency rating. Armed with this knowledge, you can anticipate how much “life” is left in your furnace and plan your future home finances accordingly.
Sometimes, the most minor of tasks can help to save a bundle. Ian Patrick, of Los Angeles-based design firm Ian Patrick Interiors, says that many of his clients fail to do the most basic (and cheapest) maintenance of all: changing the filters in their HVAC units. These can be bought at any hardware store for a few dollars, and pay for themselves almost instantly in utility bill savings. “A dirty filter makes the unit work harder, so changing it is a very affordable way to make it run better and longer and saves you a service call,” advises Patrick.
If you have and use a fireplace, maintenance is also essential. You may be tempted to cut back on expenses by skipping yearly chimney maintenance. Preventative flue cleaning will generally cost $100 to $200. Ignoring this necessary maintenance could result in the need to reline the flue completely, costing you $3,500. Get the point?
Roof Damage
Conditions like heavy snow, heavy rain and high winds, can severely impact roof quality. The material of the roof is also a determinant. An asphalt shingle roof will last about 20 years. Slate, copper and concrete roofs can last about 50 years.
You could also unknowingly be causing roof damage. Gordon Smith, owner of home inspection, remodeling and contracting company HomeSmith LLC, warns that walking on the roof to install holiday decorations or to clean gutters could crack roof materials, creating leaks. Replacing damaged shingles can cost as much as $4 per square foot.
Smith also cautions against using attics for storage, which can cause the roof to sag, or collapse the ceiling. It could “potentially cost hundreds to thousands of dollars in structural repairs, not to mention repairing or replacing anything that was under the ceiling when it came down,” he says.
Windows
While wooden windows last about ten years longer than their less costly aluminum counterparts, they require monitoring, and can be very costly to replace. (Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more, depending the age and size of the window frame).
Windows that are not shaded by a porch, tree or a bush really take a beating, especially in desert regions. This can result in water damage, rot, and even heat loss. “Combined with moisture, the wood expands and contracts with such frequency that it can compromise the stability of the entire unit,” says Patrick. Check regularly for peeling paint, cracks and chips in glazing, and have them repaired immediately to avoid a heftier bill down the road.
photo: sea turtle
One aspect of homeownership that new and soon-to-be homeowners often ignore is the recurring and possibly steep cost of keeping that home in good shape.
According to a report by the University of Illinois Extension, homeowners need to budget 1% to 2% of the purchase price of their home, each year, to cover the costs of home maintenance and repairs. That’s $3,000 to $6,000 a year on a $300,000 home, and if it’s older or has appliances that will soon need to be replaced, you may need to set aside as much as twice that amount.
When it comes to the fine line between routine home maintenance costs and those that send you into a personal financial nightmare, the tipping point is your level of vigilance.
Here are some of the most common home maintenance issues and how you can keep a small problem from evolving into a hefty burden.
Water Drainage/Damage
While water damage is unavoidable if the foundation of your house is cracked, much of it is preventable. All you need to do is respond appropriately in weather conditions that are known to cause damage.
If you live in a cold climate, stay on top of the snowfall. David West, who owns Meadowview Construction, a remodeling and home renovations company in Georgetown, Mass., advises that homeowners clear the bottom few feet of snow from the roof, using a snow rake, as soon as possible after snowfall to prevent ice dams. These dams result in water creeping under the shingles, and eventually, leaking into your house. You’ll know them by that mysterious little drip on the ceiling or down around the window frames. On the surface, it may seem like a little burden that can be solved with the occasional bucket, but don’t be fooled. “It will cause some pretty serious water damage to the insulation and drywall,” says West.
Rain can also cause major issues that are avoidable. Kevin Leahy, the founder of a removable downspout system called “The Spout Off,” warns that non-working gutters aren’t just pointless, they’re harmful.
When rain is in the forecast, make certain that the gutter’s outlet (the hole in the gutter where the water flows out to the downspout) is clear of blockage. Failure to keep gutters working creates big costs like rotted boards, windowsills and water leaking into the foundation and basement.
Heating/Cooling Issues
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) reports that the most you can hope for out of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is 25 years. Furnaces and air conditioning units generally sputter at the 15-year mark. But they’ll hardly last even that long without proper maintenance.
West advises that gas/oil boilers and furnaces be cleaned and maintained each year. This service will cost you about $200, but is the “single most important thing you can do to ensure long life and efficiency” of these systems. At the time of service, you can also ask the technician to leave a copy of your system’s efficiency rating. Armed with this knowledge, you can anticipate how much “life” is left in your furnace and plan your future home finances accordingly.
Sometimes, the most minor of tasks can help to save a bundle. Ian Patrick, of Los Angeles-based design firm Ian Patrick Interiors, says that many of his clients fail to do the most basic (and cheapest) maintenance of all: changing the filters in their HVAC units. These can be bought at any hardware store for a few dollars, and pay for themselves almost instantly in utility bill savings. “A dirty filter makes the unit work harder, so changing it is a very affordable way to make it run better and longer and saves you a service call,” advises Patrick.
If you have and use a fireplace, maintenance is also essential. You may be tempted to cut back on expenses by skipping yearly chimney maintenance. Preventative flue cleaning will generally cost $100 to $200. Ignoring this necessary maintenance could result in the need to reline the flue completely, costing you $3,500. Get the point?
Roof Damage
Conditions like heavy snow, heavy rain and high winds, can severely impact roof quality. The material of the roof is also a determinant. An asphalt shingle roof will last about 20 years. Slate, copper and concrete roofs can last about 50 years.
You could also unknowingly be causing roof damage. Gordon Smith, owner of home inspection, remodeling and contracting company HomeSmith LLC, warns that walking on the roof to install holiday decorations or to clean gutters could crack roof materials, creating leaks. Replacing damaged shingles can cost as much as $4 per square foot.
Smith also cautions against using attics for storage, which can cause the roof to sag, or collapse the ceiling. It could “potentially cost hundreds to thousands of dollars in structural repairs, not to mention repairing or replacing anything that was under the ceiling when it came down,” he says.
Windows
While wooden windows last about ten years longer than their less costly aluminum counterparts, they require monitoring, and can be very costly to replace. (Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more, depending the age and size of the window frame).
Windows that are not shaded by a porch, tree or a bush really take a beating, especially in desert regions. This can result in water damage, rot, and even heat loss. “Combined with moisture, the wood expands and contracts with such frequency that it can compromise the stability of the entire unit,” says Patrick. Check regularly for peeling paint, cracks and chips in glazing, and have them repaired immediately to avoid a heftier bill down the road.
bench craft companyNew York Yankees news from around the internet on 2/9/2011, including Rob Neyer on Derek Jeter's attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 2010 season.
iLounge news discussing the Verizon iPhone 4 antenna problems persist (video). Find more iPhone news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.
Read our Wii news of WiiWare MDK 2 revival in certification.
bench craft company
photo: sea turtle
One aspect of homeownership that new and soon-to-be homeowners often ignore is the recurring and possibly steep cost of keeping that home in good shape.
According to a report by the University of Illinois Extension, homeowners need to budget 1% to 2% of the purchase price of their home, each year, to cover the costs of home maintenance and repairs. That’s $3,000 to $6,000 a year on a $300,000 home, and if it’s older or has appliances that will soon need to be replaced, you may need to set aside as much as twice that amount.
When it comes to the fine line between routine home maintenance costs and those that send you into a personal financial nightmare, the tipping point is your level of vigilance.
Here are some of the most common home maintenance issues and how you can keep a small problem from evolving into a hefty burden.
Water Drainage/Damage
While water damage is unavoidable if the foundation of your house is cracked, much of it is preventable. All you need to do is respond appropriately in weather conditions that are known to cause damage.
If you live in a cold climate, stay on top of the snowfall. David West, who owns Meadowview Construction, a remodeling and home renovations company in Georgetown, Mass., advises that homeowners clear the bottom few feet of snow from the roof, using a snow rake, as soon as possible after snowfall to prevent ice dams. These dams result in water creeping under the shingles, and eventually, leaking into your house. You’ll know them by that mysterious little drip on the ceiling or down around the window frames. On the surface, it may seem like a little burden that can be solved with the occasional bucket, but don’t be fooled. “It will cause some pretty serious water damage to the insulation and drywall,” says West.
Rain can also cause major issues that are avoidable. Kevin Leahy, the founder of a removable downspout system called “The Spout Off,” warns that non-working gutters aren’t just pointless, they’re harmful.
When rain is in the forecast, make certain that the gutter’s outlet (the hole in the gutter where the water flows out to the downspout) is clear of blockage. Failure to keep gutters working creates big costs like rotted boards, windowsills and water leaking into the foundation and basement.
Heating/Cooling Issues
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) reports that the most you can hope for out of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is 25 years. Furnaces and air conditioning units generally sputter at the 15-year mark. But they’ll hardly last even that long without proper maintenance.
West advises that gas/oil boilers and furnaces be cleaned and maintained each year. This service will cost you about $200, but is the “single most important thing you can do to ensure long life and efficiency” of these systems. At the time of service, you can also ask the technician to leave a copy of your system’s efficiency rating. Armed with this knowledge, you can anticipate how much “life” is left in your furnace and plan your future home finances accordingly.
Sometimes, the most minor of tasks can help to save a bundle. Ian Patrick, of Los Angeles-based design firm Ian Patrick Interiors, says that many of his clients fail to do the most basic (and cheapest) maintenance of all: changing the filters in their HVAC units. These can be bought at any hardware store for a few dollars, and pay for themselves almost instantly in utility bill savings. “A dirty filter makes the unit work harder, so changing it is a very affordable way to make it run better and longer and saves you a service call,” advises Patrick.
If you have and use a fireplace, maintenance is also essential. You may be tempted to cut back on expenses by skipping yearly chimney maintenance. Preventative flue cleaning will generally cost $100 to $200. Ignoring this necessary maintenance could result in the need to reline the flue completely, costing you $3,500. Get the point?
Roof Damage
Conditions like heavy snow, heavy rain and high winds, can severely impact roof quality. The material of the roof is also a determinant. An asphalt shingle roof will last about 20 years. Slate, copper and concrete roofs can last about 50 years.
You could also unknowingly be causing roof damage. Gordon Smith, owner of home inspection, remodeling and contracting company HomeSmith LLC, warns that walking on the roof to install holiday decorations or to clean gutters could crack roof materials, creating leaks. Replacing damaged shingles can cost as much as $4 per square foot.
Smith also cautions against using attics for storage, which can cause the roof to sag, or collapse the ceiling. It could “potentially cost hundreds to thousands of dollars in structural repairs, not to mention repairing or replacing anything that was under the ceiling when it came down,” he says.
Windows
While wooden windows last about ten years longer than their less costly aluminum counterparts, they require monitoring, and can be very costly to replace. (Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more, depending the age and size of the window frame).
Windows that are not shaded by a porch, tree or a bush really take a beating, especially in desert regions. This can result in water damage, rot, and even heat loss. “Combined with moisture, the wood expands and contracts with such frequency that it can compromise the stability of the entire unit,” says Patrick. Check regularly for peeling paint, cracks and chips in glazing, and have them repaired immediately to avoid a heftier bill down the road.
photo: sea turtle
One aspect of homeownership that new and soon-to-be homeowners often ignore is the recurring and possibly steep cost of keeping that home in good shape.
According to a report by the University of Illinois Extension, homeowners need to budget 1% to 2% of the purchase price of their home, each year, to cover the costs of home maintenance and repairs. That’s $3,000 to $6,000 a year on a $300,000 home, and if it’s older or has appliances that will soon need to be replaced, you may need to set aside as much as twice that amount.
When it comes to the fine line between routine home maintenance costs and those that send you into a personal financial nightmare, the tipping point is your level of vigilance.
Here are some of the most common home maintenance issues and how you can keep a small problem from evolving into a hefty burden.
Water Drainage/Damage
While water damage is unavoidable if the foundation of your house is cracked, much of it is preventable. All you need to do is respond appropriately in weather conditions that are known to cause damage.
If you live in a cold climate, stay on top of the snowfall. David West, who owns Meadowview Construction, a remodeling and home renovations company in Georgetown, Mass., advises that homeowners clear the bottom few feet of snow from the roof, using a snow rake, as soon as possible after snowfall to prevent ice dams. These dams result in water creeping under the shingles, and eventually, leaking into your house. You’ll know them by that mysterious little drip on the ceiling or down around the window frames. On the surface, it may seem like a little burden that can be solved with the occasional bucket, but don’t be fooled. “It will cause some pretty serious water damage to the insulation and drywall,” says West.
Rain can also cause major issues that are avoidable. Kevin Leahy, the founder of a removable downspout system called “The Spout Off,” warns that non-working gutters aren’t just pointless, they’re harmful.
When rain is in the forecast, make certain that the gutter’s outlet (the hole in the gutter where the water flows out to the downspout) is clear of blockage. Failure to keep gutters working creates big costs like rotted boards, windowsills and water leaking into the foundation and basement.
Heating/Cooling Issues
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) reports that the most you can hope for out of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is 25 years. Furnaces and air conditioning units generally sputter at the 15-year mark. But they’ll hardly last even that long without proper maintenance.
West advises that gas/oil boilers and furnaces be cleaned and maintained each year. This service will cost you about $200, but is the “single most important thing you can do to ensure long life and efficiency” of these systems. At the time of service, you can also ask the technician to leave a copy of your system’s efficiency rating. Armed with this knowledge, you can anticipate how much “life” is left in your furnace and plan your future home finances accordingly.
Sometimes, the most minor of tasks can help to save a bundle. Ian Patrick, of Los Angeles-based design firm Ian Patrick Interiors, says that many of his clients fail to do the most basic (and cheapest) maintenance of all: changing the filters in their HVAC units. These can be bought at any hardware store for a few dollars, and pay for themselves almost instantly in utility bill savings. “A dirty filter makes the unit work harder, so changing it is a very affordable way to make it run better and longer and saves you a service call,” advises Patrick.
If you have and use a fireplace, maintenance is also essential. You may be tempted to cut back on expenses by skipping yearly chimney maintenance. Preventative flue cleaning will generally cost $100 to $200. Ignoring this necessary maintenance could result in the need to reline the flue completely, costing you $3,500. Get the point?
Roof Damage
Conditions like heavy snow, heavy rain and high winds, can severely impact roof quality. The material of the roof is also a determinant. An asphalt shingle roof will last about 20 years. Slate, copper and concrete roofs can last about 50 years.
You could also unknowingly be causing roof damage. Gordon Smith, owner of home inspection, remodeling and contracting company HomeSmith LLC, warns that walking on the roof to install holiday decorations or to clean gutters could crack roof materials, creating leaks. Replacing damaged shingles can cost as much as $4 per square foot.
Smith also cautions against using attics for storage, which can cause the roof to sag, or collapse the ceiling. It could “potentially cost hundreds to thousands of dollars in structural repairs, not to mention repairing or replacing anything that was under the ceiling when it came down,” he says.
Windows
While wooden windows last about ten years longer than their less costly aluminum counterparts, they require monitoring, and can be very costly to replace. (Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more, depending the age and size of the window frame).
Windows that are not shaded by a porch, tree or a bush really take a beating, especially in desert regions. This can result in water damage, rot, and even heat loss. “Combined with moisture, the wood expands and contracts with such frequency that it can compromise the stability of the entire unit,” says Patrick. Check regularly for peeling paint, cracks and chips in glazing, and have them repaired immediately to avoid a heftier bill down the road.
bench craft company>
New York Yankees news from around the internet on 2/9/2011, including Rob Neyer on Derek Jeter's attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 2010 season.
iLounge news discussing the Verizon iPhone 4 antenna problems persist (video). Find more iPhone news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.
Read our Wii news of WiiWare MDK 2 revival in certification.
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bench craft company
bench craft companyNew York Yankees news from around the internet on 2/9/2011, including Rob Neyer on Derek Jeter's attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 2010 season.
iLounge news discussing the Verizon iPhone 4 antenna problems persist (video). Find more iPhone news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.
Read our Wii news of WiiWare MDK 2 revival in certification.
bench craft company
photo: sea turtle
One aspect of homeownership that new and soon-to-be homeowners often ignore is the recurring and possibly steep cost of keeping that home in good shape.
According to a report by the University of Illinois Extension, homeowners need to budget 1% to 2% of the purchase price of their home, each year, to cover the costs of home maintenance and repairs. That’s $3,000 to $6,000 a year on a $300,000 home, and if it’s older or has appliances that will soon need to be replaced, you may need to set aside as much as twice that amount.
When it comes to the fine line between routine home maintenance costs and those that send you into a personal financial nightmare, the tipping point is your level of vigilance.
Here are some of the most common home maintenance issues and how you can keep a small problem from evolving into a hefty burden.
Water Drainage/Damage
While water damage is unavoidable if the foundation of your house is cracked, much of it is preventable. All you need to do is respond appropriately in weather conditions that are known to cause damage.
If you live in a cold climate, stay on top of the snowfall. David West, who owns Meadowview Construction, a remodeling and home renovations company in Georgetown, Mass., advises that homeowners clear the bottom few feet of snow from the roof, using a snow rake, as soon as possible after snowfall to prevent ice dams. These dams result in water creeping under the shingles, and eventually, leaking into your house. You’ll know them by that mysterious little drip on the ceiling or down around the window frames. On the surface, it may seem like a little burden that can be solved with the occasional bucket, but don’t be fooled. “It will cause some pretty serious water damage to the insulation and drywall,” says West.
Rain can also cause major issues that are avoidable. Kevin Leahy, the founder of a removable downspout system called “The Spout Off,” warns that non-working gutters aren’t just pointless, they’re harmful.
When rain is in the forecast, make certain that the gutter’s outlet (the hole in the gutter where the water flows out to the downspout) is clear of blockage. Failure to keep gutters working creates big costs like rotted boards, windowsills and water leaking into the foundation and basement.
Heating/Cooling Issues
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) reports that the most you can hope for out of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is 25 years. Furnaces and air conditioning units generally sputter at the 15-year mark. But they’ll hardly last even that long without proper maintenance.
West advises that gas/oil boilers and furnaces be cleaned and maintained each year. This service will cost you about $200, but is the “single most important thing you can do to ensure long life and efficiency” of these systems. At the time of service, you can also ask the technician to leave a copy of your system’s efficiency rating. Armed with this knowledge, you can anticipate how much “life” is left in your furnace and plan your future home finances accordingly.
Sometimes, the most minor of tasks can help to save a bundle. Ian Patrick, of Los Angeles-based design firm Ian Patrick Interiors, says that many of his clients fail to do the most basic (and cheapest) maintenance of all: changing the filters in their HVAC units. These can be bought at any hardware store for a few dollars, and pay for themselves almost instantly in utility bill savings. “A dirty filter makes the unit work harder, so changing it is a very affordable way to make it run better and longer and saves you a service call,” advises Patrick.
If you have and use a fireplace, maintenance is also essential. You may be tempted to cut back on expenses by skipping yearly chimney maintenance. Preventative flue cleaning will generally cost $100 to $200. Ignoring this necessary maintenance could result in the need to reline the flue completely, costing you $3,500. Get the point?
Roof Damage
Conditions like heavy snow, heavy rain and high winds, can severely impact roof quality. The material of the roof is also a determinant. An asphalt shingle roof will last about 20 years. Slate, copper and concrete roofs can last about 50 years.
You could also unknowingly be causing roof damage. Gordon Smith, owner of home inspection, remodeling and contracting company HomeSmith LLC, warns that walking on the roof to install holiday decorations or to clean gutters could crack roof materials, creating leaks. Replacing damaged shingles can cost as much as $4 per square foot.
Smith also cautions against using attics for storage, which can cause the roof to sag, or collapse the ceiling. It could “potentially cost hundreds to thousands of dollars in structural repairs, not to mention repairing or replacing anything that was under the ceiling when it came down,” he says.
Windows
While wooden windows last about ten years longer than their less costly aluminum counterparts, they require monitoring, and can be very costly to replace. (Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more, depending the age and size of the window frame).
Windows that are not shaded by a porch, tree or a bush really take a beating, especially in desert regions. This can result in water damage, rot, and even heat loss. “Combined with moisture, the wood expands and contracts with such frequency that it can compromise the stability of the entire unit,” says Patrick. Check regularly for peeling paint, cracks and chips in glazing, and have them repaired immediately to avoid a heftier bill down the road.
photo: sea turtle
One aspect of homeownership that new and soon-to-be homeowners often ignore is the recurring and possibly steep cost of keeping that home in good shape.
According to a report by the University of Illinois Extension, homeowners need to budget 1% to 2% of the purchase price of their home, each year, to cover the costs of home maintenance and repairs. That’s $3,000 to $6,000 a year on a $300,000 home, and if it’s older or has appliances that will soon need to be replaced, you may need to set aside as much as twice that amount.
When it comes to the fine line between routine home maintenance costs and those that send you into a personal financial nightmare, the tipping point is your level of vigilance.
Here are some of the most common home maintenance issues and how you can keep a small problem from evolving into a hefty burden.
Water Drainage/Damage
While water damage is unavoidable if the foundation of your house is cracked, much of it is preventable. All you need to do is respond appropriately in weather conditions that are known to cause damage.
If you live in a cold climate, stay on top of the snowfall. David West, who owns Meadowview Construction, a remodeling and home renovations company in Georgetown, Mass., advises that homeowners clear the bottom few feet of snow from the roof, using a snow rake, as soon as possible after snowfall to prevent ice dams. These dams result in water creeping under the shingles, and eventually, leaking into your house. You’ll know them by that mysterious little drip on the ceiling or down around the window frames. On the surface, it may seem like a little burden that can be solved with the occasional bucket, but don’t be fooled. “It will cause some pretty serious water damage to the insulation and drywall,” says West.
Rain can also cause major issues that are avoidable. Kevin Leahy, the founder of a removable downspout system called “The Spout Off,” warns that non-working gutters aren’t just pointless, they’re harmful.
When rain is in the forecast, make certain that the gutter’s outlet (the hole in the gutter where the water flows out to the downspout) is clear of blockage. Failure to keep gutters working creates big costs like rotted boards, windowsills and water leaking into the foundation and basement.
Heating/Cooling Issues
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) reports that the most you can hope for out of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is 25 years. Furnaces and air conditioning units generally sputter at the 15-year mark. But they’ll hardly last even that long without proper maintenance.
West advises that gas/oil boilers and furnaces be cleaned and maintained each year. This service will cost you about $200, but is the “single most important thing you can do to ensure long life and efficiency” of these systems. At the time of service, you can also ask the technician to leave a copy of your system’s efficiency rating. Armed with this knowledge, you can anticipate how much “life” is left in your furnace and plan your future home finances accordingly.
Sometimes, the most minor of tasks can help to save a bundle. Ian Patrick, of Los Angeles-based design firm Ian Patrick Interiors, says that many of his clients fail to do the most basic (and cheapest) maintenance of all: changing the filters in their HVAC units. These can be bought at any hardware store for a few dollars, and pay for themselves almost instantly in utility bill savings. “A dirty filter makes the unit work harder, so changing it is a very affordable way to make it run better and longer and saves you a service call,” advises Patrick.
If you have and use a fireplace, maintenance is also essential. You may be tempted to cut back on expenses by skipping yearly chimney maintenance. Preventative flue cleaning will generally cost $100 to $200. Ignoring this necessary maintenance could result in the need to reline the flue completely, costing you $3,500. Get the point?
Roof Damage
Conditions like heavy snow, heavy rain and high winds, can severely impact roof quality. The material of the roof is also a determinant. An asphalt shingle roof will last about 20 years. Slate, copper and concrete roofs can last about 50 years.
You could also unknowingly be causing roof damage. Gordon Smith, owner of home inspection, remodeling and contracting company HomeSmith LLC, warns that walking on the roof to install holiday decorations or to clean gutters could crack roof materials, creating leaks. Replacing damaged shingles can cost as much as $4 per square foot.
Smith also cautions against using attics for storage, which can cause the roof to sag, or collapse the ceiling. It could “potentially cost hundreds to thousands of dollars in structural repairs, not to mention repairing or replacing anything that was under the ceiling when it came down,” he says.
Windows
While wooden windows last about ten years longer than their less costly aluminum counterparts, they require monitoring, and can be very costly to replace. (Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more, depending the age and size of the window frame).
Windows that are not shaded by a porch, tree or a bush really take a beating, especially in desert regions. This can result in water damage, rot, and even heat loss. “Combined with moisture, the wood expands and contracts with such frequency that it can compromise the stability of the entire unit,” says Patrick. Check regularly for peeling paint, cracks and chips in glazing, and have them repaired immediately to avoid a heftier bill down the road.
bench craft company
bench craft companyNew York Yankees news from around the internet on 2/9/2011, including Rob Neyer on Derek Jeter's attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 2010 season.
iLounge news discussing the Verizon iPhone 4 antenna problems persist (video). Find more iPhone news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.
Read our Wii news of WiiWare MDK 2 revival in certification.
bench craft company
bench craft companyNew York Yankees news from around the internet on 2/9/2011, including Rob Neyer on Derek Jeter's attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 2010 season.
iLounge news discussing the Verizon iPhone 4 antenna problems persist (video). Find more iPhone news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.
Read our Wii news of WiiWare MDK 2 revival in certification.
bench craft companyNew York Yankees news from around the internet on 2/9/2011, including Rob Neyer on Derek Jeter's attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 2010 season.
iLounge news discussing the Verizon iPhone 4 antenna problems persist (video). Find more iPhone news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.
Read our Wii news of WiiWare MDK 2 revival in certification.
bench craft companyNew York Yankees news from around the internet on 2/9/2011, including Rob Neyer on Derek Jeter's attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 2010 season.
iLounge news discussing the Verizon iPhone 4 antenna problems persist (video). Find more iPhone news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.
Read our Wii news of WiiWare MDK 2 revival in certification.
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bench craft company bench craft companyNew York Yankees news from around the internet on 2/9/2011, including Rob Neyer on Derek Jeter's attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 2010 season.
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bench craft company Fact: if you wish to work your way to financial freedom, you must track your spending habits. It is common knowledge that the best route to avoid financial hardships is by monitoring how much money you are spending versus how much money you are bringing in. It's imperative that you bring in more money than you spend, obviously.
How do you track this information?You could spend hundreds of hard earned dollars on specialized budgeting software to track this information for you. Most of this pricey software can provide you with the tools you may need to help you in this endeavor. However, to use these tools you actually have to spend money to get them! Isn't the point of creating a budget to save that money?
Solution: Use Microsoft Excel or Google Spreadsheets instead!Some of the benefits to using Microsoft Excel or Google Spreadsheets to plan your finances and manage your budget are as follows:
1. No Cost - Most of us already own and use Microsoft Excel, either at home or at work in the office. However, if you are one of those rare cases that doesn't own or have access to a copy of Excel, don't bother purchasing it just yet! You can achieve the same results, and do the same work with Google Spreadsheets, and best of all it is free! Spreadsheet's uses are so varied that you can make them do almost anything for you, and your money. Almost all of the fancy financial software is going to end up costing you hundreds of dollars over time. It seems to me a waste to be spending that kind of money on software which is supposedly going to be used to save you that very same money. Save that money and time, just use a spreadsheet to do your financial planning and budgeting.
2. Easy - Neither Microsoft Excel or Google Spreadsheets are particularly difficult to setup and use. If you're willing to spend a few minutes to learn a few of the simple formulas, you will be able to quite easily have them automatically add, multiply, subtract, and divide where and when you want and need them to.
3. Simple - Most specialized financial budgeting software is just not all that easy or simple to use. Take the ever popular software package, Quicken, for example. For simple home budgeting and financial planning, it really was overkill. What I needed was something simple and easy to use, to setup to take care of my personal finances. However, Quicken was so complicated to setup that I found I just didn't want to bother using it. When it comes to a personal budget, I want something that's easy to use, and Quicken was definitely not easy to use. By using a free spreadsheet application like Google Spreadsheets you will save a lot of time when it comes to learning how to use the program, and obviously it saves you a lot of money, as it is free!
4. Customizable - Wouldn't you like your budgeting software to allow for easy customization? Excel and Google Spreadsheets allow you to select your own colors, categories, sizes, fonts, styles, and structures to get what you need done. Everyone is different, and being able to customize your software to fit your needs is very important.
If you're looking for a cheap or even free way to keep track of your personal budget and personal finances, I highly recommend using Microsoft Excel or Google Spreadsheets. I wouldn't waste my hard earned money on bloated, specialized financial software. At the end of the day, your wallet will thank you for choosing the cheap or free method!
