Home Repairs to Stop Putting Off in 2016

Updated on 1/8/2016 at 8:15 AM

Maybe you've held off on homeownership to avoid all the upkeep that comes along with it, but regardless of whether you're paying down a mortgage or sending in a rent check each month, there's a certain level of responsibility that comes with independent living. If you're not mindful of the small repairs, they can turn into major — read: expensive — problems down the road.

Here are five home repairs that you should tackle now to save yourself money and trouble later:

Running Toilet

It may just seem like a nuisance when the water doesn't stop running after you flush the toilet, but if it continues to run, that nuisance will turn into a major water bill. A cheap toilet tune-up now will save you big bucks at the end of the month.

Pest Invasion

A few ants on the kitchen counter or a single mouse spotting might not be enough to trigger your do-something alarm, but these sightings signify a much bigger problem. Beneath the surfaces of your home, these pests are thriving, breeding, and causing harm. Yuck! The sooner you call the exterminator, the more fast-acting and cost-effective the removal treatments will be.

Dirty HVAC Filter

Remembering to change the vent filters each month can seem impossible, and then there's the unwelcome cost of new filters — but, trust us, this tedious chore is worth doing. HVAC filters keep your air purer, your furnace running more efficiently (which means fewer repairs down the road), and your utility bill down.

Broken Door

A locking, secure door is essential to the safety of your home. It might seem like a pain to get the locksmith or repairman in, but a burglary is about as time-consuming and expensive of a headache as you can get.

Leaking Water

That leaky pipe is dripping you toward major repair work one drop at a time. When water soaks into the structure of your home, a multitude of costly damage ensues. Needless to say, this is one seemingly small problem that needs to be dealt with ASAP.