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| A Man's Home is his Castle |
We built our house over twelve years ago. Over the years I have had to have two casement windows repaired (one no longer can be opened); two ceiling areas re-taped, floated and painted; the stairs leading down from the back deck to the backyard re-leveled as one side sank; one toilet valve replaced twice; the wine cooler solenoid replaced; the gate motor replaced and the garage door opener fixed. I have had one burst water pipe (my fault for not disconnecting the hose). We also had the two chimney's recapped last year due to water leakage through the ceiling. Next week someone is coming in to replace the cracked baffle and insulation in the wood fireplace.
Some of these events are normal wear and tear items and others the result of living in a humid area with dramatic temperature changes. The windows are just bad product.
This year the starters on the gas range have been giving me fits and I have been told corrosion means they cannot be replaced. I will need a new range top which I keep putting off due to the complexities of measurement and my fear of getting it wrong. We have a dual AC system and one unit is now not working and waiting for a part ($400 not including labor) and I have been cautioned that this could be a temporary fix and I may need a new unit (thousands of dollars). The good part is while the air is so thick you can cut it with a knife, temps are below 80 F.
My refrigerator is making odd noises. I am working hard to keep the coils clean while it runs in this warmer than normal house.
I often wish I was more of a handy-man like my Dad who could fix anything. Hubby is mostly thumbs even though they are green.
I have read that you do not own a house, it owns you.
Our house is nine years old and we had the roof done this spring. Shingkes flew off every time it blew and the winds have been stronger than average. It was hard to get anyone to make small repairs. We replaced it with a metal roof, which will benefit a buyer for sure and gives us some peace of mind. The list of repairs otherwise is similar to yours, two leaks, broken this or that...it never stops.
ReplyDeleteWe did a major reno on the basement. The original owner who had the house for a year was a body builder and the walls there were covered with mirrors. We have spent the cost of a small house on this one, but the three stories are going to be prohibitive in the future at some point.
I am ready for a small cottage, a big downsize. My husband would like somehing bigger. Who needs the housework and the resposibility as she gets older? Houses own us for sure.
Yes, there is always something that needs maintenance/repair in a house and appliances all seem to give up the ghost at about the same time.
ReplyDeleteI am now seeing a man who used to build custom homes for a living. Sometimes I wonder if I am attracted to him for his handyman skills. Am I taking advantage?
This is one reason why my husband refuses to buy a home but instead we rent. We are dealing with rent increases, however, that make me wish we had bought a home. Until I read something like this, of course. It sounds like a huge headache. Hoping it all turns out all right. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe came home to a house with a clogged pipe, preventing doing a wash, and a leaking pipe in the kitchen. That one got fixed and we wait today for roto rooter to fix the other but weren't willing to pay for an emergency trip. We have to have all the pipes under this house replaced as they are as old as the house-- over 70 years. We will be getting bids on that. It seems whenever we get to the Tucson house, something is wrong, often involving water leaks but this last time floor tile upheavals due to heat maybe. You are so right-- homes own us. We also don't own them because just try not paying your taxes to see who really owns them... with the problems maybe? lol
ReplyDeleteOh, the joys of home ownership. We have lived in our home for 17 years and we have probably put in another half of the price of the house in maintaining and improving it. Windows don’t last forever, but I did expect for them to be clear more than five years.
ReplyDeleteThis is why a house is not an investment, no matter what anyone says.
ReplyDeleteMy thumbs can do some minor repairs, but not this kind of stuff.
I would have loved to bought the big house we lived in last. Once big problem...it was all asbestos....even a layer between the floors. Right now we are between big repairs here...knock on wood and cross my fingers. I will pray for the fridge while you fix the stove. LOL
ReplyDeleteyep, things wear out and have to be replaced. it's the nature of the universe. doesn't matter if you rent or own. I would rather own personally. we discovered some old structural damage after the flood and will have half a newly remodeled house when the final flood damage repairs are finished. then we will have to paint the house and by that time we will probably need a new roof. hopefully it will be the last time we have to pay for a new roof.
ReplyDeleteToilets. We are forever replacing parts in our toilets. We've never experienced this in any other house.
ReplyDeleteOur house is 40 years old this month, but we have been fortunate: one roof replacement, one set of new, replacement windows, one new furnace, several refrigerators, A new garage door and opener, new counter tops, installed hardwood floors downstairs, and a new fireplace. Wow! I guess that's a lot!
ReplyDeleteA shame! And I bet those 12 years went by fast...you were probably expecting not to replace things so soon. Our house is 8 years old, our first one (as this is only our 2nd) we were in for 37 years and it was 15 years old when we bought it. In that house, we went through 3 furnaces, 3 central air conditioners, and 5 hot water heaters....3 roofs, replaced the kitchen cabinets, and all that goes with that, twice, and other stuff. So far in this 8 year old house, I have a new stove, new hot water heater, and new variable speed motor on our gas furnace. The patio door is already showing signs of leakage in the glass. Yet it is Amish-built and very sturdy otherwise. It never ends. We do all of this, constantly, yet when we look at a home to buy...it seems other people do nothing, and still expect top price! Andrea
ReplyDeleteMy thumbs are brown from gardening. I don't keep up with my house very well because I feel it's like pulling a thread at this point.
ReplyDeleteOur house is stone built about 7 years ago. English new build 'settles' so you end up with slight cracking in the plasterwork which is easily remedied. When we first moved in the hot water tank was leaking, but the plumber got in touch with the manufacturers, two days later they gave us another one for free. I have this rather good book called 'Pattern of English buildings', in which it is noted the different styles and materials you find all over the country, flint down in Norfolk, decorated plasterwork in Essex, up here in Yorkshire it is stone.
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