The costs of having a home doesn’t end in buying one. They are in it for a lifetime. 

In fact, homeowners spend at least $2,000 in maintenance and repairs annually. That’s about 1 to 4 percent of a home’s value. 

Far too many people jump right into mortgage that they are surprised when home maintenance bills start piling up. This is the case when they don’t invest in taking care of their priciest possession.  

Postponing—or downright ignoring—home repairs can lead to bigger, more expensive problems down the road. Not only that, doing so can flush your property’s value down the drain. 

Of course, there is a way to avoid this. That is by simply fixing what needs to be fixed, no matter how small it is. 

Below are some home repairs that are worth looking into if you want a longer-lasting home. 

Leaking roofs

Those sinister-looking water stains on your walls only have one culprit—a leaky roof. When left unattended, roof leaks can wreak havoc to your home through mold, damaged ceilings, and rotted framing. 

Unlike what most of us think, a roof leak repair is an easy job that should only take minutes to do. The first step to do is to track down a leak and check for roof penetrations. A helper can go up on the roof and splash water over it with a garden hose. Wait until a drip is visible and start from there. 

There are multiple ways to effectively fix a leaky roof. Don’t count on caulk alone! 

Water strains

Address the issue of those nasty water stains before you find yourself needing a repaint job of your entire ceiling. 

Here’s an easy home hack: Mix water and 10 percent bleach together and spray the solution to the affected area. For old stains, pick a mold-and-mildew remover from the local store. The stain should disappear by the next day.

HVAC maintenance

Checking the HVAC system annually can help prevent problems along the way. If your AC stops working or has become noisy, there are ways to fix it yourself. 

A furnace that overheats or shuts off may be due to a clogged air filter. You can check to see if it’s dirty and replace it. You might want to install an air filter gauge that will remind you when it’s time to change filters. 

For any other problems, you can learn how to repair air conditioners if you have some background knowledge. Otherwise, it’s best to hire a pro to do the job for you. 

Door locks

Forgetting your keys is a common scenario. Sometimes, you get no choice but to use a handy lockpick set to enter your own home. This can result in broken bolt locks that you may need to replace each time. 

Instead of replacing your old deadbolt with another one, consider replacing it with a keyless entry door lock. With this, you won’t have to worry about getting locked out. You simply need to remember a four-digit number, punch it in the keypad, and enter your home.   

Clogged toilets

You simply can’t ignore a clogged toilet. Otherwise, it’s going to be a case for the local plumber. 

If a toilet plunger can’t do the trick, try this simple solution: Squirt about half a cup of liquid soap in your toilet bowl and let it sit for a couple of minutes. The soap will reduce friction and should allow the clog to slide through. 

Even the smallest home repairs can mean a lot, especially if you’re quick about them. Don’t wait until your home turns its back on you. Fix those problems as soon as they pop up, and you’ll be rewarded in the long run.