When it comes to being a homeowner, that precipitation can be the constant upkeep a house requires. And unfortunately, sometimes when it rains, it pours.
While no one likes the large expense involved in replacing an entire roof or all of the siding on their home, sometimes it makes the most financial sense. Spending money on repairs may be simply putting off the inevitable for a few months or even weeks before you still end up writing the big check.
But sometimes all you need are repairs; so how do you determine whether a repair is a good investment or whether you need to do a full replacement?
Here are a few guidelines:
1. Drafty windows
"Where's that draft coming from?" is a question that's asked in many homes on cold winter
evenings. If the cold air is coming through your windows, here are some suggestions:
Repair: Newer windows may have loose or missing components or the caulking could have
cracked around the window frames or trim. Many window manufacturers such as Andersen sell
replacement parts or repair kits for their units. If caulking is the issue, that's a DIY-
friendly task that can be done by using caulk that is available at any home improvement
store.
Replace: Upgrading to new energy-efficient windows when you have old single-pane units or
even early double pane models should not only stop the drafts, it may help lower your heating
and cooling bills. Many window companies can provide replacement units to fit your existing
opening. Pricing varies depending on the number and size of the windows.
2. No hot water
If you're tired of running out of hot water halfway through your shower, it may be time to
take some action. Lawrence Bast of Bast Plumbing & Gas, LLC in Fairfax, Va. offers the
following guidelines if you have a storage tank electric water heater:
Repair: Bast's advice: "if it isn't broke, don't replace it." He feels most electric water
heaters can be repaired by just replacing the elements. While changing the elements can be
done by homeowners, Bast recommends using a plumbing contractor due to the electrical work
involved. While costs can vary, he usually charges in the range of $230 to $250 to replace
both elements in an electric water heater.
Replace: Water leaking from the storage tank is a good indication that it's time for a new
water heater. Bast feels that many heaters start to go downhill after 15 years of use and
replacement at that point might be the best option. He highly recommends A.O. Smith heaters
and won't install anything else. Budget about $650 to $700 if you need a new 50-gallon
electric unit installed.
3. Out-of-date kitchen cabinets
Remodeling your kitchen can be a great way to brighten up your whole home and perhaps
increase its value. But what about those old kitchen cabinets — should they be replaced or
is refacing an option? Here are some tips from Laurie Randle at Cabinet Solutions in
Charlottesville, Va. that may help:
Repair: Randle suggests that refacing is a good choice if you plan on maintaining your
existing cabinet layout in the remodeled kitchen. Refacing might also be the way to go if
you're remodeling on a tight schedule as new cabinets don't need to be ordered. However, she
issued a word of caution: don't believe what you read about refacing costing only a third as
much as installing new cabinets. It depends on the size of the kitchen, the type of refacing
being done, and the new cabinets you're considering for the project.
Replace: When you're planning a kitchen remodel that involves a new cabinet layout,
purchasing new cabinets is almost always the best route to follow. Meeting with a kitchen
designer is a good way to get started.
4. Loose or missing exterior siding
It's not unusual to find a few loose pieces of siding on your home after a severe storm —
there may even be some missing. Does that mean it's time to install new siding on the house,
or could a repair be enough? This may help put your mind at ease:
Repair: Almost all types of exterior siding can be repaired if loose or damaged. However, if
you have pieces that are missing, some colors and styles of vinyl may no longer be available
from the manufacturer.
Replace: Wood siding can sometimes become loose from water damage or the nails may begin to fall off.
If it's happening in several places around your home, it may be time to upgrade to fiber cement
or vinyl siding. You may never need to do any exterior painting again.
You can probably postpone the expense of replacing the various systems in your home by
performing regular maintenance chores or doing certain DIY-friendly repairs. But the day will
inevitably come when your roofing, plumbing, or HVAC equipment needs to be replaced. And when it does, it's best to turn that job over to a licensed professional.
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