No matter how well or how recently your home was built, it can still run into all kinds of problems. These problems can catch you off guard, especially during extreme seasons and weather. During storms, some parts of your roof can get damaged and you might also experience leaks.  

However, bad weather isn't the only factor that could damage your home. Accidents, aging, and neglect are other things that could cause damage, too. And if you're already experiencing some existing issues, it could worsen or cause other disturbances, too. For instance, leaky pipes can cause wall damage, wood rot, water stains, and even molds. This is why it's important to call a plumber to spot the leaks and deal with the damaged pipes.  

Each part of your home is used differently and this means there are different ways it could get damaged. You'll also notice some parts of a home can be easily neglected because they aren't used as much or simply used as storage. Sometimes, the little things homeowners do could also be harmful to your home, like using too much water when cleaning floors or not cleaning out the gutters.  

To make sure your home is cared for so it lasts longer, you'll need to protect it. You could do this in several ways, and some of the methods mentioned below can be simple, while others are more extensive projects.  

1. Waterproofing The Basement 

It doesn’t matter where your house is located, one of the parts of your property that could easily be neglected is the basement. The worst part about this is it's exposed to all kinds of damaging factors such as moisture, water, and humidity. Because of this, some basements are prone to flooding or mold infestations.  

The best way to protect your basement is to waterproof it. This method will ensure your basement is dry, no matter what time of the year it is. It’s best to phone an expert in your local area about this matter. Say, you’re living in Alabama, you could seek for a basement waterproofing Birmingham provides and set an appointment with an expert company. Waterproofing involves several steps to ensure the basement is sufficiently protected from all kinds of moisture and sources of water. These various methods include sealing, securing the water drainage inside the house, waterproofing the exterior of the basement, waterproofing the interior, and fixing cracks in the foundation.   

2. Clean Out Your Gutters 

Regularly checking and cleaning your gutters is essential, especially if you have trees around. Debris collecting in your gutters can cause moisture to collect, and it will eventually seep into the roof. If there are existing cracks in the roof, it will cause some severe leaks indoors. 

Cleaning the gutters isn't too hard to do, but it will get messy if you don't do it often. Ideally, you'll need to do it twice a year. But if there are many trees and leaves around your home, it's necessary to clean it out more often. You also have to consider the kinds of leaves since some leaves fall more frequently than others. For instance, you have to clean out pine needles from your gutters every three months if you have pine trees.  

3. Replace Shingles 

Missing shingles can seem like a minor issue you can put off for the next day or week. However, preventing water damage has to be one of the most critical concerns of any homeowner. Any missing and cracked shingles will lead to water damage because it makes it easier for the rain to enter your home. If the frame of the roof rots or gets damaged, it's going to cause your entire roof to sink. And that's going to be a bigger problem that you have to deal with.  

4. Regular Plumbing Checks And Maintenance 

The plumbing system is another part of your home that always has to stay in top shape. Leaks and moisture don't only come from rain, storms, or snow. It can also come from faulty plumbing, whether it's indoors or outdoors. There could be old pipes in your walls that have corroded, sewer pipes that need relining, or a lawn that doesn't drain out properly. All these can cause issues to your home, whether it's minor water stains or worse ones like damage to your home's foundation.  

Plumbing needs to be checked regularly so you can spot any of the problems earlier on. The sooner you can find them, the easier it’ll be to fix them. But the longer you ignore it, the more extensive and more expensive repairs will have to be. It’ll also cause other damage to your home, not just the pipes you have to maintain.  

Conclusion 

Every home will have its challenges and it's up to its homeowner to know what issues their homes are prone to. This way, you can narrow down which projects and improvements you can prioritize. However, you still need to examine your whole home, not just the problem areas. So, make it a habit to regularly walk through your entire property to spot any areas that need repair or upgrades.