Be alert …
Listen to your house

Just as your throat may get scratchy when you are brewing a cold and your car may sputter when something is amiss under the hood, your house may send out warnings when things are wrong. Don’t blow off the signals — small problems can become big, expensive disasters. Listen to your house — pay attention to these red flags:¹

• Your water bill suddenly increases. If you didn’t leave the hose running, you may have a water leak and it may be underground where you can’t see it. Turn off all water valves in the house and check the water meter reading several times for one hour. If the flow continues, you have a leak.
• Slow flushing toilets and sluggish drains. Toilets quickly release a great deal of water down waste lines so they are generally the first to exhibit signs of clogging. Don’t ignore the signs — untreated they can become an unpleasant mess.
• Mysterious cracks that keep getting larger. Small expansion cracks in concrete or plaster may be nothing to worry about but if they are getting larger your home may be unevenly settling. It may be time to call a structural engineer.
• Flu- and allergy-like symptoms when you’re at home. Dirty air filters and ducts in your heating/cooling system can be the culprit, filling your home with sickening mold and bacteria. Change your filters regularly and have your system checked by a professional. Open the windows and let some fresh air circulate.
• Hot switches and plugs, sizzling electric boxes, dimming lights and tripping breakers. These are signs that you may need to upgrade your electrical service. Don’t ignore these red flags — an overburdened electrical system could be a serious fire hazard.
• Small holes in wood surfaces, mud tunnels along foundations, piles of sawdust. This is typically a sign of termites doing their damage inside wood where they can’t be easily seen. Have your home inspected if you suspect these pests are present.
• Small piles of sand around roof drains and gutters. When a tar paper (asphalt composite) roof starts to deteriorate, the little grains of sand begin to separate from the tar paper. When you see bare patches or piles of sand on the ground, it may be time for a new roof.

Protect your investment and your security — learn about and pay attention to some of the warning signs. Know when to seek professional help. Get smarter about listening to your house.