Homeowners know it’s a just a matter of time before the next home maintenance issue comes up. This is particularly the case in the harsh climate of Greenwich, CT and surrounding Fairfield County. Weather is constantly testing homes. There are ways, however, to prevent small problems from becoming major issues. Bringing in a residential property management company to maintain your home can help keep systems and materials in good condition, and help stave off costly repairs. To help prioritize the items that demand the most attention let’s take a look at repairs that are typically the most expensive.
Replacing an entire roof is a big, costly job, particularly if you have wood or slate roofing. You can extend the life of your roof, and avoid significant repairs, by conducting regular maintenance from a trusted residential property management company. Yearly roof inspections can uncover minor issues that have the potential to get worse down the line. For example, damaged or missing shingles and flashing should be replaced. Trees limbs hanging over the roof should be trimmed. Leaves and debris should be removed from the roof to avoid rotting. And proper ventilation, such as ridgeline, soffit and even cupola vents should be in place, and not blocked.
Average Cost:$1,200 for a small repair and up to $75,000 for a wood roof replacement.
Foundation issues can be caused by a number of different factors that all revolve around the levels of moisture in the soil. Some of these include poor drainage, poor grading, and/or high levels of clay in the ground. Cracks in the foundation can occur when the soil swells intermittently during heavy rains and melting snow, and then contracts during dry periods. Cracks in the foundation can lead to water infiltration and cause structural issues. These can be costly to fix. If you have an issue like this call a professional to assess the situation. Better yet have someone keep an eye on the foundation and surrounding landscape before there’s a big problem.
Proper drainage can be maintained with yearly inspection. Your handyman should conduct a thorough cleaning of the gutters once per year. In addition downspouts should be cleared of clogs and the surrounding landscape should be monitored to ensure the grades continually slope away from the house. You should also keep an eye on pooling water. Conditions change, and if you start seeing resting water it’s time to have a professional make a change to ensure the water runs off properly.
Average Cost: $850 for a superficial crack repair to $20,000 for structural restoration
The average lifespan of a central air conditioning unit is roughly 12 -15 years. Furnaces last 20 years on average. With regular maintenance, however, these units have the potential to go far beyond that. It is recommended to have your HVAC system inspected, cleaned and tuned once per year. The best time to schedule your AC inspection will be in the early spring before you start heavy use. For the furnace you’ll want to get the inspection done in early fall before the heating season begins. Without proper maintenance small issues can become big issues with big price tags attached.
Average Cost: $472 for AC, $588 for furnace repairs and approximatly $20,000 for a new furnace
Replacing a septic system can be costly and extremely disruptive to your outdoor space. Investing in maintenance it is well worth it. When it comes to avoiding septic issues some preventative steps can be taken by the homeowner. Others require a residential property management professional that can bring in the right specialists.
To keep your septic system functioning at peak efficiency never flush anything other than bodily waste and toilet paper. These items will break down with water and diminish with time. This goes for the kitchen sink as well – only water should go down the drain. Food particles and grease are not septic friendly. Have your home maintenance professional schedule a pumping and inspection every one to two years. This will help avoid any issues and ensure the system is functioning properly.
Average Cost:up to $30,000 for a full septic system replacement and approximately $500 for a yearly pump out
Average Cost:$823 to repair and $4,500 to replace
Water heater issues can lead to flooding and problems can occur when the unit is not maintained. Your home maintenance professional should inspect your water heater yearly. Inspections include checking your shut off valves to make sure they are not broken. In addition joints should be inspected for signs of ware. And it’s always a good idea to flush the system once or twice per year to remove sediments. Failed water heaters are one of the main causes of residential water damage. Regular maintenance can help you avoid getting to that point.
When it comes to home repairs, maintaining is always cheaper than repairing or replacing. Of course finding trusted professionals across the large selection of trades can be time consuming. And it’s hard to know whom to trust. Using a residential property management company, like Greenwich Home Management, is an excellent option because we have the full range of trusted pros at our fingertips. At Greenwich Home Management we can schedule and monitor all of your regular home maintenance inspections, cleanings, and repairs, so that your property remains in peak working order.
The weather in Connecticut can be brutal on your roof, particularly in costal towns like Greenwich. Your roof is the primary line of defense for stopping water from entering your home. Wind, rain, snow and ice slowly degrade the roofing material and flashing and at some point it will start to break down. When it comes time to repair or replace your roof, hiring the right professional is critical. Using a trusted residential property maintenance company for this job can help assure the job is done right.
Because storms can cause premature ware, a thorough roof inspection should be part of your yearly maintenance program. Hiring a residential property management company is a good first step. They’ll have experienced professionals on staff that can handle the inspection as well as any work that needs to be done.
Your home maintenance handyman will be looking for missing or damaged shingles, flashing that is damaged or out of place, and cracked rubber vent pipe boots, among other things. They’ll also inspect the gutters to ensure that water from the roof is running away from the house. They’ll also inspect your drainage. Bent or misaligned gutters, disconnected gutter straps, and/or clogging are all issues that should be resolved.
Sometimes homeowners don’t realize there is water entering the house because the damage can’t be seen within everyday living spaces. Slow leaks can infiltrate attics, crawl spaces, and basements. Your handyman will thoroughly inspect these areas to look for mold, water stains, wet insulation, and/or rotted wood.
Homeowners oftentimes try to solve a roofing issue with a hasty patch from workmen that are inexpensive. This process typically ends with more repairs shortly down the line and unresolved issues. Fixing a roof the right way is a process that requires knowledge and skill. This is particularly true when dealing with the complex rooflines of homes like those found in the Greenwich, CT area.
Oftentimes it makes more sense to replace the entire roof instead of adding patch after patch. By avoiding continual issues you’ll end up saving in the long run. Costs add up when water issues become persistent. You end up paying for the new roof as well as new insulation, sheetrock, paint, and sometimes even framing.
An ice dam is when poor insulation in the attic allows heat to escape and melt the snow on the roof. The melting snow trickles to the edge and freezes in thick bands. When snow continues to melt, the water gets trapped behind the damns and can get pushed back under the shingles and leak into the house.
There are multiple steps that can be taken to prevent ice dams. The first step is to make sure that your attic is properly insulated. Insulation issues can allow heat to escape and melt resting snow. Bat insulation can fall off over time, or even be removed by animals. And today’s insulation codes call for a far higher R-value than in years past.
Proper ventilation is another critical part of fighting ice dams. Make sure that your attic has ridge and eve vents, and that your soffits are properly vented. This ventilation helps cool air circulate through the attic and eves. Also make sure to move any items that are blocking vents. When inspecting your eves make sure that the bath and kitchen fans do not vent into the eves. They should always vent directly outside. Homeowners can handle some of these jobs, but rerouting soffit vents and installing a ridge vent are jobs that typically require a trained professional.
Making the investment to do the job right from the start is always a smart idea – particularly when it comes to your roof. Leaking roofs can lead to big, expensive issues. By hiring a residential property management company you’ll be assured that any roof repair or replacement job will be done right the first time.
