Home repair involves the diagnosis and resolution of problems in ahome, and is related to home maintenance to avoid such problems. Many types of repairs are "do it yourself" (DIY) projects, while others may be so complicated, time-consuming or risky as to require the assistance of a qualifiedhandyperson,property manager,contractor/builder, or other professionals.[1]
Home repair is not the same asrenovation, although many improvements can result from repairs or maintenance. Often the costs of larger repairs will justify the alternative of investment in full-scale improvements. It may make just as much sense to upgrade a home system (with an improved one) as to repair it or incur ever-more-frequent and expensive maintenance for an inefficient, obsolete or dying system.[2]
Repairs often mean simple replacement of worn or used components intended to be periodically renewed by a home-owner. Another class of home repairs relates to restoring something to a useful condition, such as sharpeningtools or utensils, replacing leakyfaucet washers, cleaning outplumbing traps,rain gutters. Because of the required precision, specialized tools, or hazards, some of these are best left to experts such as aplumber.[3] One emergency repair that may be necessary in this area is overflowingtoilets. Most of them have a shut-off valve on a pipe beneath or behind them so that the water supply can be turned off while repairs are made, either by removing a clog or repairing a broken mechanism.[4]
Perhaps the most perplexing repairs facing a home-owner are broken or damaged things. In today's era of built-in obsolescence for many products, it is often more convenient to replace something rather than attempt to repair it. A repair person is faced with the tasks of accurately identifying the problem, then finding the materials, supplies, tools and skills necessary to sufficiently effect the repair. Some things, such as broken windows, appliances or furniture can be carried to a repair shop. Other repairs may have some urgency, such as broken water pipes, broken doors, latches or windows, or a leaky roof or water tank, and this factor can certainly justify calling for professional help. A home handyperson may become adept at dealing with immediate repairs, until a professional can be arranged to complete any further required work.
Emergencies can happen at any time, so it is important to know how to quickly and efficiently fix the problem. From natural disasters, power loss, appliance failure and no water, emergency repairs tend to be one of the most important repairs to be comfortable and confident with. In most cases, the repairs are DIY or fixable with whatever is around the house. Common repairs would be fixing a leak, broken window, flooding, frozen pipes or clogged toilet. Each problem can have a relatively simple fix, a leaky roof and broken window can be patched, a flood can be pumped out, pipes can be thawed and repaired and toilets can be unclogged with a chemical. For the most part, emergency repairs are not permanent. They are what you can do fast to stop the problem then have a professional come in to permanently fix it.[5] Flooding as a result of frozen pipes, clogged toilets or a leaky roof can result in very costlywater damage repairs and even potential health issues resulting frommold growth if not addressed in a timely manner.[6]
Periodic maintenance also falls under the general class of home repairs. These are inspections, adjustments, cleaning, or replacements that should be done regularly to ensure proper functioning of all the systems in a house, and to avoid costly emergencies. Examples include annual testing and adjustment ofalarm systems,central heating or cooling systems (electrodes,thermocouples, andfuel filters), replacement ofwater treatment components or air-handling filters, purging of heating radiators and water tanks,defrosting a freezer, vacuum refrigerator coils, refilling dry floor-draintraps with water, cleaning outrain gutters, down spouts and drains, touching up worn housepaint and weather seals, and cleaning accumulatedcreosote out ofchimney flues, which may be best left to achimney sweep.[7]
Examples of less frequent home maintenance that should be regularly forecast and budgeted include repainting or staining outdoor wood or metal, repainting masonry, waterproofing masonry, cleaning outseptic systems, replacing sacrificial electrodes inwater heaters, replacing oldwashing machine hoses (preferably withstainless steel hoses less likely to burst and cause a flood), and other home improvements such as replacement of obsolete or ageing systems with limited useful lifetimes (water heaters, wood stoves, pumps, andasphaltic orwoodenroof shingles andsiding.[7]
Often on the bottom of people's to-do list is home maintenance chores, such as landscaping, window and gutter cleaning, power washing the siding and hard-scape, etc. However, these maintenance chores pay for themselves over time. Often, injury could occur when operating heavy machinery or when climbing on ladders or roofs around your home, so if an individual is not in the proper physical condition to accomplish these chores, then they should consult a professional. Lack of maintenance will cost more due to higher costs associated with repairs or replacements to be made later. It requires discipline and learning aptitude to repair and maintain the home in good condition, but it is a satisfying experience to perform even seemingly minor repairs.[7]
Another related issue for avoiding costly repairs (or disasters) is the proper operation of a home, including systems and appliances, in a way that prevents damage or prolongs their usefulness. For example, at higher latitudes, even a clean rain gutter can suddenly build up an ice dam in winter, forcing melt water into unprotectedroofing, resulting in leaks or even flooding inside walls or rooms. This can be prevented by installingmoisture barrier beneath the roofing tiles.[8] A wary home-owner should be alert to the conditions that can result in larger problems and take remedial action before damage or injury occurs. It may be easier to tack down a bit of worn carpet than repair a large patch damaged by prolonged misuse. Another example is to seek out the source of unusual noises or smells when mechanical, electrical or plumbing systems are operating—sometimes they indicate incipient problems. One should avoid overloading or otherwise misusing systems, and a recurring overload may indicate time for an upgrade.
Water infiltration is one of the most insidious sources of home damage. Small leaks can lead to water stains, and rotting wood. Soft, rotten wood is an inviting target fortermites and other wood-damaging insects. Left unattended, a small leak can lead to significant structural damage, necessitating the replacement ofbeams andframing.[9]
When a home is sold, inspections are performed that may reveal environmental hazards such asradon gas in the basement or water supply orfriableasbestos materials (both of which can causelung cancer), peeling or disturbedlead paint (a risk to children and pregnant women), in-groundheating oil tanks that may contaminateground water, ormold that can cause problems for those withasthma orallergies. Typically the buyer ormortgage lender will require these conditions to be repaired before allowing the purchase to close. An entire industry ofenvironmental remediation contractors has developed to help home owners resolve these types of problems.
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