by K. W. Callahan

Created on: June 09, 2009   Last Updated: November 03, 2011

Homeowners are often faced with a variety of problems, issues, and repairs that can cost hundreds, thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. There are however, ways to decrease how much money is put into a home. Practicing preventative maintenance and being prepared for repairs and emergencies can greatly increase home-related savings.

STONE

Crumbling, cracking, and chipping stone is an inevitable part of homeownership. Driveways, walkways, sidewalks, steps, porches, and foundations are affected by weather, tree roots, settling, and ground movement. By patching cracks, breaks, and chips in stonework when they occur, you can prevent them from becoming larger and more costly issues in the future.

SEALERS

Weather sealers can be a great way to preserve areas around your home. They can extend the life of metal, stone, brick, and wood by protecting them from outside wear and tear, including rain, ice, snow, and sunlight.

CAULK

By ensuring gaps and cracks around windows and doors are sealed, utility costs can be diminished by reducing the amount of hot or cold air entering or leaving your home. Not only this, but the risk from water damage can be decreased as well by sealing cracks and edges around showers, sinks, wash basins, windows, and other areas where seepage and moisture are common issues.

PAINT

A coat or two of paint can be a great protector, keeping metal from rusting, wood from cracking and rotting, and stone from chipping. It is also a cost effective way to maintain your home and reduce the amount spent on repairs.

UTILITIES

Your home uses different levels of energy each season. By gauging utility consumption, you can determine if there are leaks, how much energy or water various appliances use, and the most efficient times to use appliances.

APPLIANCES

Upgrading older appliances to more energy efficient models can be pricey initially, but over the course of time can save money through decreased energy consumption.

UTILIZE SPACE

By looking for naturally warmer (or cooler) areas inside your home, you can make the best of your living space during various seasons and reduce your utility costs. Partitioning certain, less frequently used portions of your home, and closing vents to these areas can make your home more energy efficient.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Using airflow, wind, sunlight, tree shade, and other naturally provided resources to heat and cool your home can reduce utility bills.

LAWN

By doing your own yard work instead of hiring a landscaping company, you can save money as a homeowner. While yard work might not always be fun, and investing in lawn mower, yard tools, and other equipment will cost you initially, by not paying a lawn company you will rack up savings over the long haul.

BE PREPARED

Being prepared for emergencies, unforeseen repairs, and other situations that can cause damage to your home will help you save money. By having a generator for emergencies, proper tools for repairs, a wet-vac for water issues, and similar equipment, you can decrease response time to issues that can affect your home's well being and reduce the amount of damage done to your home.

Disclaimer:

The author is not a licensed financial professional.  This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.  Any action taken by the reader due to the information provided in this article is solely at the reader’s discretion.

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