While owning a home can be very rewarding, it comes with a multitude of responsibilities and possible problems. Fortunately, many of these problems can be prevented before they occur or become a major disaster. Here are three issues for homeowners to watch.

1. Pests

Depending on the climate where you live, there could be any number of pests lurking in the corners or behind the walls of your house. These pests range from harmless to disease-carrying or potentially damaging to the structure of your home. Some common household pests include:

• Mice, which cause damage by leaving fecal matter on floors and other objects in the house, and pose a large problem due to their ability to reproduce quickly
• Termites, which can lay thousands of eggs per day and can chew through books, furniture, floors and even the wooden structure of your home, potentially leading to devastating damage
• Ants, which are attracted to food crumbs, spills and open containers of food and can quickly colonize a section of the house

Keeping your home clean and sealing your house off from the outdoors are good defenses in preventing common household pests. However, some invasions require the professional services of Cape Coral pest control companies. 

2. Water Leaks

Left untreated, water leaks can cause major damage to the walls and floors of your house in addition to furniture and other valuables inside the home. Common locations where water leaks occur include the shower, toilet and sink faucets. There are a few ways to identify a hidden water leak, such as:

• Checking your monthly water bill to see if any are unusually high
• Looking over your lawn for puddles and patches of grass that are greener than the surrounding area
• Feeling around the cabinets underneath sinks to make sure that they are dry

Identifying and fixing a water leak early will save you from major costs and headaches later, so complete these three steps often. 

3. Fire Hazards

While many fires in the home are a result of cooking, smoking or leaving candles unattended, several fire hazards can come from the structure of the house, including:

• Electrical fires, which result from damaged wiring and faulty electrical outlets 
• Heating fires, which may arise from faulty heating systems or systems that have not been cleaned regularly

Check smoke alarms regularly and have professionals inspect the electrical and heating systems of your home. 

Preventing these three issues in your home will save you time and money.