Electrical Work Between dated components and general wear and tear, you may be looking at minor swaps or a complete home upgrade when it comes to your wiring. Either way, you’ll need to become comfortable fishing wires through walls, floors, and ceilings. You’ll also need to safely connect circuits, swap out fixtures, and manage the control panel. With today’s connectivity to streaming, WiFi, Smart devices, etc., the home’s electrical needs likely far exceed what the system was originally used for. With this in mind, you may also be making upgrades. Roofing If you’re in luck, your home will have a recently installed wood shingle roof that will last 50 years. However, it’s more likely you’ll be facing roofing repairs within the first decade of homeownership. Since roofing is expensive, it’s nice to have a plan for it in the budget rather than being sprung with an immediate need for repairs. If you’re purchasing a home, ask the previous owner how old the roof is and bring in roofing professionals to estimate the remaining life. When the time comes, being able to replace your roof yourself can be a huge cost saver. If you decide to tackle the task, carefully consider your material options. Also, ensure the materials you choose will be covered under warranty if not professionally installed.
Dealing with Drainage As the landscape changes over time your home’s drainage systems may become overgrown, buried, or broken. As a result, it’s common for older homes to need some attention in the drainage department. Start by looking at the location where the downspouts meet the ground. Make sure water moves freely and flows away from the home’s foundation. If there’s an issue, repairing problems with drainage can take many forms. You may need new gutters or downspouts. At ground level, you may need to dig up broken pipes, make replacements, and trench new routes. Inside the home, evaluate the condition and function of your sump pump. If it fails, your home may flood so check it often and replace it as needed. You may also find yourself doing landscaping, such as adjusting slopes for proper runoff, adding French drains or a drain field, or installing a water harvesting system that recycles water back into the house.
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April 2025
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