What Every Homebuyer Should Know About Home Repairs

This list was published by Realtor Magazine (February 2008) and compiled by “Mr. Fix-It” of Chicago’s WGN-AM radio and Frank Lesh, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors:

1. Change your furnace filters monthly: Clogged filters decrease furnace efficiency and can cause breakdowns.

2. Drain your water heater at least once a year: Sediment will drain out along with the water from the water tank. Removing sediment can prolong the heater’s useful life.

3. Check your circuits: Test the performance of the circuit breakers in your electrical circuit box twice a year by flipping them off and back on. If you have a circuit that keeps shutting off with normal daily electrical use, call an electrician.  A faulty circuit breaker could indicate a short in the wiring inside your walls.

4. Watch out for drips: Check under sinks periodically to look for leaks or water stains that might indicate leaks.  Catching a small problem early can prevent water damage.  Use a plunger to clean out sinks and tubs whenever water doesn’t drain normally.

5. Know the life expectancy of the following: Exterior painting, Furnace, Roof, Water Heater, Wood Deck Staining.  Replace them before they fail, based on their average life spans, cited below:

Average Life Span (in years)

Exterior painting:  5-10

Furnace 15-50

Roof 13-15*

Water heater  7-15

Wood deck staining 4-7

*There are a number of shingle products with varying life expectacies, some as long as 30-40 years.

More questions?  Please call me - I’m at your service in Wellesley, Weston and Needham!

Jane Neilson, CBR 

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