How to Handle House Repair Emergencies

Every household needs to be prepared for emergencies, and emergencies can present themselves in many different ways. Here are some of the most common house repair emergencies, with tips on quick fixes and how to otherwise prepare for them.

Boiler Breakdowns

Boiler breakdowns are unfortunately common, and something nearly every household can expect to experience at least once in their lives. They commonly occur in winter, and can be caused by a number of things from the simple to the complex. In the event of boiler failure, first check to see if the pilot light is ignited, and if re-igniting solves the problem. Make sure the pressure in the boiler is at a nominal level. If these do not work, make a note of the boiler’s error code and call out a professional engineer.

A Note on Cashflow Emergencies

Generally speaking, emergencies with regard to house repair present a single, universal difficulty – cashflow. Oftentimes repairs with an emergency element require a quick injection of cash; with the aforementioned potential for a boiler breakdown, engineer call-outs, repairs and even a new boiler represent significant costs you may not have otherwise prepared for. As such, it is important to build an emergency fund to cover unexpected costs without harming your monthly income. If you’re not in a position to build an emergency fund, whether due to income or existing debts, bad credit loans are a useful way to build a credit history and cover short term costs, putting you in a better position for building an emergency fund and applying for credit with friendlier interest rates.

Pest Problems

Pest issues are a common issue year-round, whether flies and ants or larger mammalian infestations like rats and mice. Pests are best dealt with sooner than later, as what was once a simple case of humanely removing a rat can quickly become a difficult – and expensive – infestation issue. You should make sure to have a reliable number for pest control on hand in case the worst does happen, but stocking up on simple traps and deterrents can work wonders and prevent larger costs in the future. Slug pellets near external walls can prevent slug infiltration, while plug-in ultrasonic solutions exist to deter rodents from attempting to enter your property.

Leaks

The potential risk of a water leak exists in every room of the house, and can occur in a number of different ways. A radiator might spring a leak, a pipe might burst beneath the kitchen sink, or the toilet might even overflow! Plumbing is not the easiest of tasks to undertake DIY, so (toilet aside) a plumber will eventually be a must for situations like this – but there is one thing you can do to prevent further damage. Every house has something called a stopcock, which allows you to shut off water supply to the house. By locating it and turning it off, you can prevent further damage until a professional arrives.

*This is a collaborative post.