Tag Page HomeMaintenance

Why Skipping Home Repairs Can Cost You Big

Thinking about putting off that leaky faucet or flickering light? You’re not alone—most homeowners are delaying repairs these days, but it’s turning into a wallet-buster. When small fixes get ignored, they often snowball into pricey emergencies. With the cost of materials and labor climbing, waiting can mean paying thousands more down the road. Pro tip: set aside a little each month for home upkeep—future you (and your bank account) will thank you! #RealEstate #HomeMaintenance #MoneyHacks

Home Inspectors Spill Their Biggest Worries

Turns out, home inspectors are seeing some seriously sketchy trends lately—think homeowners skipping basic repairs, taking wild DIY risks, and ignoring sneaky water damage. The result? Small issues are blowing up into major (and expensive) disasters. Even new builds aren’t safe! Inspectors say regular checkups and not cutting corners are the real secrets to keeping your place safe—and sellable. Don’t wait until it’s too late to find out what’s hiding behind your walls! #Home #HomeMaintenance #RealEstate

What Breaks First in Old Houses?

Ever wonder what’s really lurking behind those charming pre-1990 walls? Turns out, the biggest troublemakers are the things you can’t see: shifting foundations, ancient wiring, leaky pipes, and creaky HVAC systems. If you own or are eyeing an older home, check for uneven floors, weird cracks, and outdated panels—those are your red flags. The real secret? Budget for upgrades before these hidden systems turn your vintage dream into a money pit! #Home #HomeMaintenance #OldHouseProblems

$20K AC bill? Why second opinions matter

A simple AC checkup spiraled into a $20,000 replacement quote for one homeowner, raising eyebrows across the community. The technician claimed urgent, costly repairs were needed and even pushed for an immediate decision with a “discount.” Many folks online called out the high-pressure tactics and urged getting multiple opinions before signing anything. This story is a wake-up call: when it comes to home repairs, don’t let sales pressure rush your choices. Have you ever faced a surprise repair bill or felt pressured by a contractor? Let’s swap stories and advice below—your experience could help someone else avoid a costly mistake! #Home #HomeMaintenance #ACRepair

The 'Useless' Valve I Almost Removed Just Saved Me from a Flood. Never touch the old stuff.

For two years, there was this random, half-painted shutoff valve in my basement. It wasn't the main water line, and no one knew what it did. I seriously considered removing it during a cleanup because it was ugly and seemed useless—leftover junk from an old setup. Last month, I heard a faint hissing sound late at night from behind a wall near the laundry. After shutting off the main water and still hearing a tiny sound, I randomly remembered the stupid valve. Turning that single, stiff valve completely silenced the leak. It turned out that valve isolated one obscure utility line I didn't even know existed. If I had removed it, that tiny hissing leak would have run all night, resulting in a huge flood, opened walls, and a major disaster...Don't mess with the old, weird, useless things in an old house. #Homeowners #HomeMaintenance #Plumbing

I found real mushrooms growing out of the stairs. How bad is this toilet leak?

I went to look at a super cheap house and saw this mess near the stairwell. There are literal mushrooms growing out of the wood near the bottom step, and it seems to be linked to a leaky toilet upstairs. People are telling me that actual mushrooms means the underlying water damage and mold is incredibly advanced. This leak has been going on for years, probably long enough for the sewage water to rot the wood, turning it into fertile ground for this fungal growth. The consensus is that the whole area needs to be torn out—drywall, flooring, maybe even structural wood—to fix the leak and deal with the rot that's definitely hiding beneath the surface. It looks like a simple repair that turned into a five thousand dollar project overnight. #HomeMaintenance #WaterDamage #Mold

Is $100 Fair to Pay Someone to Remove This Giant Tree Stump?

I found a local guy who said he would take the whole thing out for $100. His plan is to dig around the entire base and then use a saw to cut it out from underneath. Is $100 a reasonable price for this kind of job? #StumpRemoval #YardWork #PricingAdvice #HomeMaintenance #Landscaping #HelpNeeded

Should I be worried about this ceiling crack? 🤯

I live in an older 3-story wood frame building, and I’ve noticed the popcorn ceiling in the hallway is starting to crack more and more. A new horizontal crack just showed up recently. Honestly, this looks awful... Should I call someone or maybe even move out? 😦😦😦 #HomeMaintenance #CeilingCracks #HomeSafety #ApartmentLiving

Do I need to be concerned about this water stain on my ceiling?

The toilet from upstairs overflowed overnight and left this water stain on our ceiling downstairs. Their toilet is already fixed, and the man upstairs said he would tell maintenance to paint over the stain once it’s dry and cover the cost. But should I be worried about mold or any other hidden damage from the water? Or does it take longer for mold to form? That would be really bad... #HomeMaintenance #WaterDamage #MoldPrevention #HomeCare #CeilingMold #Home

Anchorage Fire Officials Warn: Blocked Dryer Vents Are More Dangerous Than Most People Realize A recent Anchorage house fire was linked to a blocked dryer vent, according to local fire officials. Investigators found lint buildup inside the vent line — something many homeowners don’t realize can quietly become a serious fire hazard. Most people clean the lint trap and assume they’re safe. Unfortunately, that’s only part of the system. Lint escapes the trap and collects deep inside the vent pipe over time. When airflow becomes restricted, heat builds up fast — especially during Alaska winters when dryers work harder and vents stay colder. ###🚨 Warning signs many homeowners overlook: Dryer feels unusually hot to the touch Clothes take longer to dry Burning or musty smells during use Excess lint around the outdoor vent Fire officials consistently warn that dryer vent fires are one of the most preventable household fires — yet they still happen every year. According to safety guidance, vents should be inspected and cleaned at least once per year, and more often for families who do frequent laundry or have longer vent runs. I’ve personally seen vents in Anchorage homes that were nearly completely blocked — some just weeks away from becoming dangerous. If you’re unsure about your vent, it’s worth taking a look before it becomes a bigger problem. I’m local, and I’m always happy to answer questions or help point people in the right direction. Stay safe out there. 🔗 Source: Anchorage Daily News – Fire officials say obstructed dryer vent likely caused fatal house fire https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2023/03/03/1-dead-in-anchorage-home-fire-that-officials-say-was-likely-caused-by-obstructed-dryer-vent/ #HomeMaintenance #WinterSafety #AlaskaLiving #AnchorageHomes #CommunitySafety #Anchorage #Alaska #HomeSafety #FirePrevention #LocalNews