As adults, we start to notice a slightly odd trend. Namely that you’ve got a favorite burner on the stove, preferred spatula for scrambling eggs and chores you prefer, or utterly loathe, on your to-do list. However, regular maintenance shouldn’t fall behind, even if it’s not your favorite chore. Boggs Inspection Services warns that overlooking key areas can do actual damage to your home…unlike the cluttered eyesore of an overflowing laundry chair. Their team offers sound advice for keeping up with complicated, daunting trouble spots.
Boggs Inspection Services Spotlights Four Commonly Overlooked Home Maintenance Issues
Inspectors from Boggs say that the four most overlooked home maintenance issues are debris in gutters, damage to exterior caulking, maintaining paint on the eaves and keeping sinks, tubs and showers properly caulked.
Boggs’ Heather Derrick explains that these issues are often overlooked because they aren’t right in front of us every day since they’re up high or tucked away. “But skipping them can lead to bigger headaches down the road,” she adds.
Most of those headache’s spring from a Pacific Northwest specialty: moisture. When water backs up, leaks or finds its way through a gap in any protective barrier, our home’s wood can rot or mold. The early stages of damage are often unseen and eventual repair can be extensive and expensive.
Regular Upkeep Prevents Costly Repairs Down the Road, say Boggs Home Inspectors
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And catching problems early is the difference between a simple patch or large-scale restoration. The Boggs team says that most of the time, the concern isn’t the missing paint or cracked caulk itself. “It’s what those allow to happen next,” says Derrick. “Left unchecked, they open the door to moisture damage, pests, rot and even structural problems. Routine maintenance helps prevent those larger issues from developing.”
Cleaning gutters and repairs to eaves and exterior caulking can be tricky. You’ll likely need a secure ladder, trusted ladder-holding buddy, good balance and some DIY know-how. If you’d prefer to hire a skilled, licensed professional, Boggs maintains a list of top-rated vendors across Thurston and Pierce counties who are happy to help.
The fourth item on the Boggs “Most Overlooked Home Maintenance” list, however, is something anyone can tackle. “Bathroom caulking is one of those DIY-friendly maintenance items,” says Derrick, “you just need the right materials and a little patience. Removing old caulk and replacing it with a good-quality waterproof product is well within reach for most homeowners.”
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize with Preventive Home Maintenance
As with many problems around the house, it’s best to be proactive. By the time issues are seen – or smelled, with the case of mold and mildew – the damage has likely spread.
Derrick says that with bathrooms, for example there’s no strict timeline on when to replace the existing caulk because it depends on your bathroom’s use and ventilation. “Inspecting it annually is a good habit and if water can seep behind it, it’s time to redo it,” she adds. “A good rule of thumb is to replace it when you see gaps forming, cracking, peeling or mold and mildew that cleaning can’t remove.”
With external issues, Derrick says that homeowners often don’t know what to look for, don’t have the tools or ladders needed for cleaning or find these chores to be more time consuming and costly than regular maintenance.
She explains that other commonly overlooked issues are attic ventilation concerns, minor plumbing leaks under sinks or around hose bibs, deck maintenance, the replacement or repair of crawlspace moisture barriers, HVAC filter changes and water heater maintenance. “These may seem minor now,” she says, “but they add up fast in terms of damage or efficiency loss. If there’s moisture, staining, warping, soft spots or musty odors, you’ve already crossed into damage territory. Cosmetic issues don’t typically come with side effects. Once you see signs of deterioration, it’s time to act.”
Make a Preventive Maintenance Appointment with Boggs Inspection Services Today
If you’re not sure where to start, book a Boggs inspection and someone from the team will write up a detailed to-do list of annual maintenance. They can also include optional pest inspections, thermal imaging, 360 photos, lead or asbestos testing, irrigation system inspections, air quality tests, sewer scope and septic inspections, water and well pump flow testing and more. Check out their printable home maintenance checklist for a good place to start.
At Boggs, most inspections can be scheduled to take place within a few days, depending on location and season. “We’re not just here for buyers and sellers,” Derrick says, “we’re here to help homeowners protect their biggest investment through knowledge, prevention and practical guidance.”
You can request a free quote online or schedule your appointment directly. Or call 360.480.9602 and the team is happy to answer questions about options and work around your busy schedule. Then dust yourself off and tackle your to-do list, starting with the laundry chair. (Everyone’s got one!)
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