Homeowners can be their own worst enemies.
The 10 most common mistakes homeowners make are revealed in “The National Home Maintenance Manual” (Building Standards Institute, $24.95), by authors David E. MacLellan, a 30-year veteran home builder, and George Wolfson, a registered architect.
Room shares five of those blunders here.
Altering finished grades: Homeowners should avoid altering their property’s original site drainage. The grades around the house are designed to allow rainwater and irrigation to flow away from the foundation.
Unlike a condo, where the builder customarily installs the walkways, patios, landscaping and drainage systems, a single- family residence is sometimes bought without any of these items except a driveway. Unfortunately, a homeowner or contractor will often pour the sidewalks and patios directly on top of the finished grade, altering the water flow by trapping it between the walkway and the house. That invites water to flow under the house, causing cracks, foundation movement or mold.
Overpouring concrete patios: In addition to being poured with a 2 percent slope, a concrete patio or deck should be poured at least 2 inches below door thresholds or the stucco weep screed. Pouring the patio too high can cause rainwater to run back up into the stucco or behind the siding, resulting in structure decay. It also provides interior access routes for termites hoping to make your house their next meal.
Walking on the roof: A homeowner should never walk on his or her roof. This is a safety hazard, and untrained persons are likely to break or damage the roof. Instead, clean gutters from a ladder, and use something like a telescoping pole to retrieve items thrown on the roof, like toys and balls.
Disconnecting or ignoring bathroom and laundry vent fans: Bathrooms and laundries are areas of high humidity. Fans in these rooms should never be disconnected even when they are noisy or bothersome. Always turn the fan on when using these rooms as water vapor can collect in the drywall, electrical outlets and framing, causing the growth of mold, mildew and fungus. Condensation on walls and windows also can find its way into the house and weaken it through dry-rot.
Using trusses for storage: Garage and attic trusses are designed to support the weight of the roof and ceiling – and nothing else. But many homeowners view these areas as additional storage space. Doing so can result in a sagging or collapsed roof. If you still want to trusses for storage, check with a structural engineer to determine whether additional reinforcement is needed.
For more home maintenance tips, visit the Homeowners Education Association website at housefixit.com.
