Small Repairs That Protect Your Home (and Wallet)

Houses rarely fail suddenly. They fail slowly — through a lifted shingle, a cracked bead of caulk, a door that started sticking last spring. The homeowners who spend the least on repairs are the ones who fix small things while they're still small.

The high-return fixes

• Re-caulk tubs, showers and exterior window trim once a year — water intrusion is the most expensive problem in any home.
• Tighten loose handrails, hinges and cabinet hardware before they strip.
• Replace weatherstripping on exterior doors to cut drafts and energy costs.
• Clean gutters every fall; overflowing gutters quietly destroy fascia and foundations.
• Touch up exterior paint chips before moisture reaches bare wood.

None of these jobs need special skills, and every one of them prevents a repair bill ten times its size. Your future self — and your home's resale inspector — will thank you.