Most homeowners have a long list of repairs and DIY projects that they’ve been putting off. However, sometimes ignoring much-needed maintenance can put your home at serious risk. Here are a few common household repairs that you should take care of before it’s too late.

Clean Your Gutters

There are few household chores as loathed as cleaning out the gutters, but ignoring this annual task can cost you in the long run. Clean gutters keep the water flowing where it should: away from the home. When gutters get plugged up, the water has nowhere to go, so it runs down the side of your house, channeling it directly into your foundation, which can cause it to crack. In the winter months, clogged gutters can also create ice dams that damage the roof. And that’s how skipping a few hours of work every fall can lead to a repair job that can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Leaks

Many people are willing to overlook the occasional leak. A bit of water beneath the sink or the occasional drip from the ceiling on a rainy day can’t do that much harm, right?

But left unchecked, excess moisture can cause mold and mildew to flourish. If you allow mold to get the upper hand, you might have to replace carpeting and entire sections of drywall. And moisture problems are often much bigger than you think. For instance, a small damp patch on the ceiling might just be the tip of the iceberg. Poke your head into the attic and you might find that the rafters are waterlogged and already showing the signs of rot. Spare yourself the expense of a major repair. If you see signs of a leaky pipe or roof, call someone immediately to get it checked out.