You take a lot of pride in your home. Not only is it one or perhaps your most significant investment, but it’s also where you’ll live for at least the next few years. To ensure it continues serving you for as long as you need it to, you must be vigilant with maintenance. Here are ten warning signs it’s time for maintenance.

1. Septic Tank Issues

If your home relies on a septic tank, you must pay extra attention to its condition to tell when it’s time for maintenance. Issues with this home component can make life unbearable for those living on the property. Think about it. On a hot sunny morning, you wake up to a foul odor sweeping throughout the home to find that the wastewater in the septic tank has been leaking for the past few days.

That can stink up your day. Luckily, some telltale signs can tell you when to contact a septic tank pumping service, which is important if you want to avoid finding yourself in such a situation. One thing to look out for is pooling water around the drain field.

If it hasn’t rained in the past few days, but you can see a lot of water, your septic tank is likely the culprit. This usually happens when there’s solid water blocking the system or the tank is at full capacity, forcing the liquid to move to the top of the ground.

Take note if you see any sinks, bathtubs, or toilets in your home draining slowly. This can indicate a clog in your septic system or a full tank. In either case, sluggish drains are a warning you shouldn’t ignore. Using a septic-friendly drain cleaner can be your first course of action, but if the issue persists, have a professional empty it since some jobs may require the use of a hydrovac.

If your home relies on a cesspool instead, be specific with your search. Look for a cesspool pumper. You may not know this, and don’t worry; most homeowners don’t. However, there’s a difference between a septic system and a cesspool.

2. Your Roof’s Age

Your roof plays one of the most important roles in your home. It’s what protects you, your family, and the structure itself from the effects of the elements. How long it’s been since you or the previous owner installed it will play a key role in helping you determine if it’s time for maintenance or a replacement.

Depending on the quality of the installation and the materials, most roofs last 20 to 30 years. If your roof is close to or past its anticipated lifespan, getting a new roof is a more effective solution. However, regularly inspecting your roof is crucial to identify any issues, even if it’s still within its intended lifespan. An experienced roofer can evaluate the state of your roof and suggest maintenance or repairs.

3. Damaged or Missing Shingles

While your roofing system consists of several components, the shingles are the first to come into contact with the elements. Over time, they can crack, become loose, or go missing completely. If you spot any of these issues, it’s time for maintenance. You should have a professional roofing contractor replace the affected shingles and inspect the roof as soon as possible

A roof with missing or broken shingles is more susceptible to water damage. It may also indicate a more serious issue with the roof’s support system. To ensure you don’t experience issues with the shingles, the best thing you can do is have a professional roofing company conduct routine maintenance checks. This will allow you to arrest potential issues in their early stages, allowing for more effective repairs.

4. Worn Hardwood Floors

While hardwood floors will always give your home a timeless look, over time, everyday wear and tear will make them look less appealing than when you first installed them. When this happens, don’t lose hope just yet. You can still do something about it and restore your floors to their former glory that doesn’t involve hiring a demolition contractor.

Instead of sanding down to the bare wood as is necessary for refinishing, recoating involves reapplying the finish coat over the original one. Redoing the coat makes more financial sense than a full-service refinishing job unless a professional deems the latter necessary. Recoating your hardwood floors will instantly refresh dull surfaces caused by minor scratches.

The good news is you don’t have to stick with the same finish. You can always switch things up. Consider investing in epoxy floor coating, which can significantly improve your space’s esthetics while fortifying the flooring.

The shiny surface will complement your decorative lighting fixtures. The light hitting the epoxy surface and bouncing off it will introduce a new dimension and sense of visual interest to your space. Epoxy is also an effective solution for covering up defects your floors may have sustained. To conceal flaws even more thoroughly, go for epoxy paint.

5. Your Foundation is Tilting or Cracked

If your home’s foundation is crooked or leaning, it may point to structural instability and is a sure sign it’s time for maintenance. Regardless of how severe or not you think the issue is, hiring a professional foundation contractor is in your best interest. In some cases, issues with this home component can even necessitate hiring specialists to excavate and level the ground beneath your house. As soon as you spot cracks or warping in the exterior brickwork, flooring, walls, ceilings, staircases, or other areas, contact a local, seasoned foundation professional.

While the cost of hiring an expert may make you think twice about investing in their services, it’s worth every penny. There are several benefits you’ll get to enjoy. For example, enlisting the help of a contractor will give you access to expertise that only comes from years of experience.

Trust that these professionals have seen almost every issue that may arise with your foundation, and they know how to address them best. This means you can relax knowing they’ll identify any problems you might have. They’ll employ tried-and-true solutions to restore your home’s structural integrity.

A contractor also has a team of specialists in different aspects, allowing them to provide you with quick foundation repair services. They divide each task into manageable pieces and assign them to the relevant professional. By doing this, they can finish the job quickly and with the least possible disturbance to your family’s regular schedule. Their experience also enables them to navigate the challenges that may arise quickly and efficiently.

6. You’re Starting to Spot Pests

Pests perfectly define unwanted guests who never leave. Well, unless you take intentional steps to get them out. If you’re noticing more obvious signs of the movement of pests like rodents and ants, then it’s time for maintenance, a pest inspection, to be specific. A skilled exterminator can determine what kind of pest infestation you have and create a strategy to eliminate it.

They can also advise you on any repairs you may need to undertake to prevent a recurrence of the infestation. For example, businesses typically hire a janitorial company to keep the workspace clean and well-maintained. This helps them prevent their business from becoming a distribution warehouse for pests.

For the same reason, a pest control company may recommend hiring a house cleaning service. A reputable pest control company also has access to specialized supplies and equipment you would otherwise have trouble finding. Their team of technicians undergo extensive training and have years of experience recognizing, preventing, and treating infestations of all types, including those involving rodents like mice and rats and insects like spiders, roaches, and ants. As masters in their field, they’ll know the best products for your situation and how to use them effectively and safely.

7. Deteriorating Exterior Paint Job

Your home’s exterior paint job is like your skin. It’s among the first things people see when walking up to your home, so it greatly impacts their first impression of the rest of your home. Besides that, it’s also what you see when coming home from work every day.

Does it still give you the joy it once did? If not, then it’s time for maintenance. Don’t underestimate the power of paint. A fresh coat can instantly rejuvenate your home’s exterior aesthetics, and the benefits don’t end there.

Quality exterior painting will improve the ability of your home’s walls to withstand elements like rain and harsh sun rays. This translates to a longer lifespan for your home’s main structure. A new coat on your external walls might also benefit the interior walls. The interior paint will last longer if your external walls handle adverse weather conditions, such as sun rays and heavy rainfall.

Several things can tell you if you need to contact an exterior painting service. Some of the most common and easily noticeable are flaking, cracking, peeling, or chipping paint. These signs are usually a result of extended exposure to the elements and are telltale signs it’s time for maintenance. If you fail to address them appropriately, you’ll soon be dealing with mildew, mold, or dry rot.

You should also be on the lookout for cracks in the caulking. If it’s beginning to deteriorate, take it as a sign you also need to refresh the paint job. Ensure you choose the right type of caulk to ensure it withstands extreme cold and heat.

8. Plumbing Issues

You likely don’t need anyone to explain how important your home’s plumbing system is to the overall comfort you enjoy. Issues with this system can make life unbearable for you and your family. Think about it. If the toilet backs up into the home, you’ll have a big mess to clean, and it won’t be pretty.

It gets even worse if you happen to be on vacation or attending another engagement that keeps you out of the home for several days. You’ll end up with significant water damage that may even force you to start looking for storage units for your belongings. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the issues you can experience due to a faulty plumbing system.

The good news is you can avoid all these issues by knowing when it’s time for maintenance from a professional plumber. These professionals have years of experience servicing different systems. They can spot potential issues in their early stages and perform the necessary repairs to prevent them from worsening. The benefits you’ll get to enjoy don’t end there.

According to the EPA. if you have a leaky faucet that drips one drop of water every two seconds may cause you to lose up to 3,000 gallons of water yearly. Your utility bills will increase with every drop. Routine maintenance will keep your continually spinning water meter in check, saving you money. The EPA claims that replacing your gurgling toilet can save you over 13,000 gallons of water yearly.

Water leaks caused by damaged or cracked pipes can hurt the air quality in your house. The moisture creates a conducive environment for mold growth. The musty, stagnant air subsequently stresses your HVAC system, which results in unnecessarily higher energy costs. You might be surprised to find that fixing leaking pipes will completely get rid of the mold issue.

9. Failing Smart Home Systems

A few years back, the concept of smart homes seemed like a fantasy. Perhaps, it’s something you thought you’d only keep seeing in movies, like the T-rex and other dinosaurs. Today, smart home automation is quite common. You likely have a few of these features in your home.

While smart home technologies are typically a long-term investment, they need regular maintenance. You must keep updating your devices as new and better ones enter the market. When investing in smart home features, you want a convenient and efficient home.

What about the reliability aspect, though? The fact is that even the greatest technology, like a smart door lock or your motorized shade, has a limited lifespan and will eventually require replacement. If your smart home system isn’t as responsive as before and frequently has trouble connecting to other devices, your network infrastructure may be to blame. Smart home maintenance with the help of IT services will ensure your systems are constantly operating at their best capacity in such circumstances.

10. Holes in Your Deck

In the spring and summer, periodically inspect your yard for carpenter bees. They tend to burrow into soft wood and nest there. Small heaps of sawdust in your deck, outdoor furniture, or fence may point to carpenter bees, and it’s time for maintenance. Contact your local exterminator and have them come to your home to address the issue before it worsens.

You want your home to continue giving you great service for as long as possible. For this, you need to develop the skill of knowing when it’s time for maintenance. Like with womens health, a preventative approach is always best. Use this read as a guide for some common warning signs of the need for upkeep.