Homes require repairs and maintenance, and there are umpteen common household repairs and problems that can arise.
There are of course, solutions for every household hitch, some you can do yourself, and others where it is advisable to seek professional help.
This article lists eight common household repairs and complaints and discusses whether you should call in an expert or try to fix the problem yourself.
1. Blocked drains
Blocked drains are a very common problem that can lead to other problems. You will know when your drains are blocked as the water in your shower and sink drains away slower than usual.
You should take action asap otherwise you blocked drains can cause water damage, not to mention the smell.
A plunger is a quick fix, but not a permanent one.
You should also pour special disinfectant down the drains to decay any waste.
If the problem persists, call a plumber to unblock your drains for you.
2. Clogged gutters
Clogged gutters can pose similar problems as blocked drains.
But in addition there is the threat of structural damage.
And if your gutters snap, your drainage system makes a mess of your property that will need tidying.
If you have a head for heights, take your ladders and clean the gutters yourself. Otherwise, call a professional gutter cleaning service.
3. Drywalling
Over time, scuff marks and scratches are embedded into walls and leave unsightly marks.
These can sometimes be hidden under putty and paint, other times the walls are so unbalanced redecorating looks a mess.
If you are redecorating, it is advisable to smooth the walls over so wallpaper sits flush or to give the appearance of a straight, clean finish when applying paint.
Drywalling is a difficult skill to perfect, so unless you are DIY handy, this is a job best left to the plastering experts.
4. Mould
Because of the change in weather conditions, it is typical for mould spores to appear on walls, especially in humid or wet conditions where there is a lot of build-up of moisture.
Not only is mould unsightly, it can also weaken the structure of a building and effect people with allergies.
Bathrooms and kitchens are high-risk rooms.
Although you can clean mould off tiles and walls, this does not resolve the problem.
To prevent mould you have to stop the infestation which involves technical knowledge and safety precautions.
It is therefore best practice to call in professional damp proofing specialist assistance.
5. Leaks
Leaks are inevitable. For the most part, you can fix a leaking tap or toilet yourself.
Leaks are typically fixed by replacing a tap, washer valve or faucet.
This is an easy job practically anybody can do even if you are not DIY minded.
However, if the leak is more serious and requires a change in pipes, or worse, water is dripping from the ceiling, call a plumber immediately.
If water builds up it could cause a pipe to burst or the ceiling to collapse.
6. Heating problems
Some people have a problem heating their homes, and with the increased costs of gas and electric, cranking the heating up is not an economical solution.
In fact, most heating issues are caused by lack of ventilation and insulation.
This is something you can fix yourself by sealing windows and insulating the loft.
Your heating problems may need resolving with replacement doors and windows.
Double-glazing helps to keep the warmth in and subsequently reduces heating bills.
Ventilation systems help to distribute heat more evenly and also resolves issues you may experience with both the heating and cooling of your home.
7. Structural damage
Structural damage can be caused by a number of things and can be costly repairs.
However, if you do not address structural damage early, they can cause even more damage whereby the resulting costs are very expensive.
It is always best to call a professional tradesman for any type of structural repair work.
8. Draughts
Draughts are not nice, especially in the winter.
Cold air seeping into your home also increases the heating bills because you turn the heating up for longer.
And draughts can be found in more places than you can imagine; windows, doors, electrical outlets, light fixtures.
Basically, anywhere there is a gap.
For the most part, draughts can be conquered with a sealing agent around windows and cracks between your door jams.
Basements and attics should also be properly insulated to prevent cold coming into your house.
You can easily carry out any of these tasks yourself, but if you want to install wall and floor insulation, it is better to employ an expert tradesman.
They will resolve the problem properly and with the minimum of fuss.
Unless you are an experienced and confident DIYer, wall and floor insulation can be pretty tricky.
Owning a house does require maintenance procedures, and common household repairs can be costly if they are not addressed.
Likewise, if repairs are not carried out properly.
Unless you are confident of resolving problems around the house yourself, it is always best practice to hire the appropriate professional tradesman to keep down future costs, frustration and peace of mind.
