Redundancy is good for NASA. Checking and rechecking helps keep people safer. However, redundancy in your home repairs wastes resources. Fixing things right the first time usually requires a little more effort, and maybe even a little more money up front. Overall though, it saves time and lessens the drain on finances. Though tedious, there are common household repairs that can keep popping up if not fixed right the first time.
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Toilet Repairs
Jiggling the handle is not a repair. Putting a note on the tank lid to remind everyone to jiggle the handle is also not a repair. It is an adaptive fix to a broken toilet. Adaptive measures are extremely redundant, time wasting, and annoying. Replacing the guts of the toilet tank, including the flapper, ballcock (water valve) and handle, takes about an hour for a do-it-yourself home repair person. The cost equals about two movie tickets and a popcorn. The water savings in a month could pay for the job.
Gutter Repairs
It is not uncommon to see the same neighbor each year out on a ladder with a garden hose, plastic bags and some small tools working feverishly to clean the gunk out of the gutters. Looking around, it is also very common to see some sort of caulking or spray sealant that the owner hopes will stop those annoying gutter leaks that keep coming back year after year. Wet debris in gutters can become very heavy. Weight in gutters causes flexing, which often results in any gap or seam eventually leaking. Simply adding gutter guards after the annual cleaning can negate ever having to clean or seal the gutters again.
Furnace and Air Conditioning Repairs
Emergency repairs to get a Mississauga heating or air conditioning system operational again rarely involves fixing the whole problem. The dynamics involved in emergency repairs usually happen on the coldest or hottest days of the year. A call is made to an already very busy reliable mechanical service inc, and the technician comes out and fixes the offending part and gets the system going again. Before leaving, the repair technician advises the homeowner that a full inspection is needed. The homeowner is just happy the heat or AC is back on, quickly forgetting about the needed inspection. However, all parts in HVAC systems work together. If one part fails, it is rarely in isolation. The failure is very likely due to an issue with another part of the system that needs attention. To avoid redundant repairs, get the full inspection done.
Power Tools
Not all repairs involve the actual home. Many involve the tools used to maintain the home itself. Power tools require regular maintenance to keep them running right. Gas-powered tools such as weed trimmers, lawn mowers, and chain saws that are hard to start, or do not do the job well are not only tedious and time consuming to use, but they are also dangerous. Tool owners hoping to avoid paying for repairs often opt to do temporary fixes or adjust how tools are used. A poorly operating engine uses many more dollars in gasoline than one that is operating optimally. Cutting slower because of dull blades or worn parts makes the work more dangerous and sloppy looking. Adapting use and redundant fixes end up costing more in the long run.
Homes and everything used in and on them to keep things looking and running smooth are constantly under wear and tear. Everything needs maintained. However, some things requiring redundant maintenance may need a bigger fix or even possibly replaced to save money in the long run. Make a master list of repairs that are needed to avoid repeated fixes later on, and diligently work on the list one at a time based on need, daily use and the cost of the items needing repaired.
