If you’re a first-time Toronto homeowner, the thought of home improvement
probably conjures visions of installing a state-of-the-art kitchen with
the latest appliances, or a sprawling patio that transforms your
backyard into an outdoor oasis.
Not only do these projects boost the value of your home, but they’re functional and fun to show off to friends and family.
Your fantasies probably didn’t include sump pump failure, backed-up toilets, overflowing gutters or black mold lurking in your crawl space.
The reality is that home ownership often proves extremely unpredictable. However, one thing you can count on is spending a considerable amount of money on unglamorous maintenance projects you can’t show off to neighbors, but will keep your home healthy.
Cleaning gutters.
This seasonal task involves climbing on a
ladder and scooping out decaying leaves, animal waste and other random
sludge that have been marinating in your gutters for months. But you’ll
have bigger problems when a blockage sends water spilling down the sides
of your home, which can ruin siding, flood your basement and rot the fascia boards that hold the gutters.
Installing windows.
Adding one window will set you back a
couple hundred dollars, and a major window replacement job can cost
thousands. New windows offer increased efficiency and should lower your
energy costs, but unless you install stained glass or security bars,
your neighbors are unlikely to comment.
Repairing the foundation.
You might crack up at the thought of spending hard-earned money to repair the slow-growing crack that stair-steps up the basement
wall, but foundation fissures are no joking matter. Not all cracks
signal impending collapse, but have it checked out before it’s too late.
Removing mold.
Eliminating the patch of black mold hiding behind the bathroom wall may not be at the top of your to-do list, but failure to remove mold can cause serious respiratory problems. Make sure to hire a remediation company that pinpoints the source of the mold. Avoid the contractor who wants to paint over it.
Fixing the toilet.
Although the insides of some toilet
tanks resemble the cockpit of a fighter jet, resist the temptation to
put off toilet repairs. You’ll be glad you called a plumber the next
time nature calls.
Adding insulation.
Insulation stays out of the spotlight,
but performs an important role. It’s dirty and expensive to install, but
offers a good return on your investment through lower utility bills and
increased comfort. Just don’t count on anyone showing up to your
insulation viewing party.
Replacing the sump pump.
You won’t be pumped when your basement
floods because you failed to replace your sump pump. Make sure to
install a sump pump with a battery backup and alarm system for extra
security.
Updating electrical wiring.
It costs several thousand dollars to
rewire a home or modernize an aging electrical system, and what do you
get to show for it besides a bunch of wires hidden in your walls and
attic? You should at least sleep better knowing there’s a decreased risk
of fire because you removed the 1920s-era knob-and-tube system.
Pumping the septic tank.
Pros recommend pumping your septic
system every three to five years to prevent backup. It’s not a glamorous
job, but it’s better than sewage backing up in your toilets and
spilling on the lawn. Just don’t be like Cousin Eddie from “Christmas
Vacation” and empty it into the sewer.
Replacing the sewer line.
This unsexy situation starts with raw
sewage backing up in your home and ends with contractors digging up your
front yard and landscaping to bury a new sewer line. Trenchless replacement methods exist that bypass the backhoe, but often come at a higher cost.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe
replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the
latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any
plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530
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