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Cost of Neglecting Home Maintenance

By Guest Post

Mike’s Advice / Guest Posts

Monday, November 24th, 2025 @ 11:31am
    

The Importance of Home Maintenance 

Too many homeowners wait until something in their house breaks before they pay attention. By then, it’s usually more expensive, more stressful, and sometimes even dangerous. That’s why keeping on top of home maintenance tasks is very important.

If you don’t keep on top of small issues, they will grow into big ones, and big ones grow into disasters. That’s when I start getting calls. I’ve seen firsthand what goes wrong behind walls, under floors, and above ceilings when home maintenance is neglected.

Regular home maintenance is important in protecting your biggest investment.

The Slow Leaks That Turn Into Big Problems

One of the most common issues I’ve seen is mystery stains. A homeowner notices a brown ring on the ceiling. They ignore it, hoping it will go away magically. Let me tell you: it always gets worse.

I remember one home where that tiny stain turned out to be a slow plumbing leak that had been happening for months. By the time we opened the ceiling, the joists were moldy, the insulation was soaked, and the subfloor above was starting to rot. What could have been a $150 plumbing repair turned into a $10,000 remediation project.

A little attention could have saved a lot of money.

 

The Dirty Furnace Filter That Became a $7,000 Bill

Neglected HVAC systems are another big one. People forget to change their furnace filters, or they assume weird noises are “normal.” I always tell people to put a reminder in their calendars to change their furnace filters. Better yet, get a washable furnace filter and set a reminder to wash it regularly.

I worked with a family who hadn’t replaced their filter in at least two years. The furnace was choking. Restricted airflow led to overheating, and overheating caused the heat exchanger to crack. That turned a $40 filter replacement into a full furnace replacement—and a potentially dangerous carbon monoxide risk.

Home maintenance isn’t just about comfort. It’s about safety.

The Deck That Looked Fine—Until Someone Fell Through It

A deck might look sturdy on the surface, but water, sun, and time take their toll. How many times have we come across news stories about deck injuries? I once saw a deck that looked great on top but was barely hanging on underneath because the ledger board was never flashed. A couple of heavy footsteps in the wrong spot and the board tore right off the house.

No one was seriously hurt, but it could have been VERY bad.

Regular deck inspections would have caught the rot early.

 

Home maintenance isn’t exciting, but you know what’s worse? A $20,000 repair because a $200 maintenance job was ignored.

Why Home Maintenance Matters More Than Homeowners Realize

A home is a system. When one part fails, it affects everything else.

Here’s what I see all the time:

  • Moisture problems that start with an ignored gutter

  • Structural issues caused by a tiny roof leak

  • HVAC systems dying early because filters never got changed

  • Electrical hazards created by outdated or overloaded panels

  • Drafts, mold, or heat loss from neglected caulking and insulation

None of these happen suddenly. They’re slow-burn issues that creep up because homeowners don’t notice—or choose not to look.

Maintenance is your first line of defense.

 Invest in good quality, professionally installed gutter guards.

Get A Home Maintenance Inspection

Home maintenance isn’t the most exciting task. It doesn’t give you the excitement of a kitchen remodel or the satisfaction of new floors. But it does prevent bigger issues down the road.

The best thing you can do for your home is to get a home maintenance inspection with a qualified home inspector. A Home Maintenance Inspection is a proactive way to assess the systems and components that often experience the most stress and are most likely to experience wear and tear. Certified inspectors look for signs of wear, damage, and potential hazards—before they become expensive problems. Think of a Maintenance Inspection like a health check-up for your home.

Neglecting maintenance doesn’t just wear down your home—it chips away at its value and your peace of mind. Take care of your home, and it will take care of you!

 

Home Maintenance Checklists

Check out these checklists to help you:

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