8 Common Home Habits Contractors Say Can Quietly Damage Your House
You probably never considered #3 until now.
Although I don’t personally own a house, I still visit my childhood home, which is approaching 100 years old. While I’m not responsible for maintaining it, I’ve seen firsthand the consequences of putting off repairs. It may seem easier to ignore a few water droplets under the sink, but the damage they can cause over time is anything but minor — take it from me. If your gut is telling you to get something checked out, do it. Spoiler alert: the results aren’t pretty, and they can be very expensive. My family recently had to spend nearly $5,000 to repair a broken HVAC system.
My family isn’t the only one to experience this. According to a2025 report from Clever Offers, a nationwide marketplace that helps prospective homeowners compare prices, nearly 1 in 3 homeowners said delaying maintenance led to repairs that could have been avoided. Additionally, 72 percent spent at least $1,000 on a preventable repair, and 44 percent spent at least $5,000 — just like my family.
Ahead, I spoke with contractors about the issues that can quietly ruin your home over time. And yes, just because a problem seems minor now doesn’t mean it won’t cause lasting damage later.
Leaving water leaks unaddressed
Even if it only seems like a few drops here and there, water leaks need to be addressed as soon as possible. "Unaddressed water leaks can lead to hazardous mold growth," says Scott Raines, a general contractor in South Florida. "Also, neglecting pipes over time can result in bursts or leaks, leading to extensive water damage throughout the home." If you notice a water leak, you'll want to call a plumber to fix it right away or you can get some epoxy putty or silicone tape to patch it up, depending on the extent of the issue.
Having trees too close to the home
Having trees or shrubs too close to the home or foundation can damage your property. "Roots can damage foundations, sidewalks and fences and having tree limbs hanging over your roof can cause damage up there," says Amanda Walters, a licensed contractor and founder of One Stop ADU, a San-Diego based construction firm. "Not to mention it provides access to rats and squirrels who can easily slip through the vents in the attic and take up residence." This can be hard to fix based on where you live, however, you can keep an eye on the tree branches as needed.
Putting things down the drain
Just because you have a garbage disposal doesn't mean you can throw large portions of food down the disposal. "This is the number one cause for clogs," says Walters. "Another is pouring grease or cooking oils down the sink. When mixed with water this clog can become hard."
Instead of pouring food and debris down the drains, put it in the trash can instead and throw it out. It's not worth the potential hundreds (or even thousands) in repair costs down the line.
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Not cleaning out the gutters
Gutters that aren’t cleaned out can get clogged with leaves, branches and other debris and eventually destroy them. "Any amount of time with broken gutters means water could be building up on a roof or redirecting into your foundation, rather than away from it," says Kiril Ratia, a general contractor and founder of Ratia Construction, a Chicago-based construction company. Using a gutter scoop is the easiest way to clean out your gutters and this should be done at least twice a year to prevent backup and damage down the line.
Having a clogged chimney flute
You might like using your fireplace in the winter for heat and aesthetic purposes but it can cause debris to pile up in the chimney flute. "No matter how often you are using a fireplace, cleaning a chimney once a year is required for home maintenance," says Ratia. "It can be a huge fire risk to not regularly clean out a chimney flute." You are better off hiring someone to do this since it can be quite a process to get up onto the roof in some cases.
Not having proper ventilation
Feeling like a bathroom is humid hours after the shower was used isn’t normal even if you think it is. "If you turn on a bathroom fan but notice the problem persists, that could be a signal of a ventilation issue," says Ratia. You'll want to get this looked at by an HVAC technician as having too much moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth over time throughout the home.
RELATED:Things You Need to Do in Your Home to Prevent Catastrophe
Letting silicone deteriorate in the bathrooms
Speaking of bathrooms, letting silicone deteriorate around a shower might seem harmless at first but it can actually turn into a big problem. "Maintaining a waterproof seal around the shower helps direct water to drain in the intended areas," says Ratia. "When silicone or grout breaks down, water starts to gather in pockets along the sides and floors of a shower, letting mold and bacteria thrive." You'll want to either patch this up yourself or hire someone to create a tight seal to prevent mold growth in your bathroom.
Putting off termite treatment
If you notice some peculiar chippings in wood throughout your home, then it's possible you might have termites and want to get that checked out as soon as possible. "I had a project where the termites ate all of the wood around the windows and the windows fell out, which could’ve been a very dangerous situation," says Walters. "They are what we call silent but deadly." It's important to call a pest control company for a professional evaluation and treatment plan in the event you do have termites in your home.
Casey Clark is a freelance consultant who is interested in beauty, health, and style-related commerce content. She learned from Hofstra University with a degree in journalism. Her work has been published in Women's Health, Better Homes & Gardens, and more.
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