Save Money by Fixing These Items Before They Break

We live in a world built on planned obsolescence — things aren’t designed to last anymore. They’re intended instead to be used until they break and then replaced, but that can be an expensive proposition with big-ticket items.

Luckily, there are some things you can still fix before they break and end up costing you more money. Here are five ideas to get you started.

1. The Dryer

Sure, you probably clean out your dryer’s lint trap every time you dry a load of laundry, but what about the rest of your dryer?  Not all the lint gets caught in the trap, after all, and a dryer or exhaust hose full of dust is a fire waiting to happen.

Start by cleaning all the accessible parts of the dryer. This includes the lint trap — give it a proper washing and let it dry — and the exhaust hose. Then, deep-clean the interior of the dryer and get as much lint out as possible.  You’ll be shocked at how much lint is actually in your dryer if you haven’t cleaned it out in a while!

2. Sliding Glass Doors

Glass doors are a terrific way to get more natural light into your home, but if you can’t open them, they’re just a pain.

If your sliders are starting to get stuck or become difficult to open, take the time to remove the doors, clean the tracks and Repair or replace any broken slider wheels. It’s an afternoon project you’ll probably need a second pair of hands for, just because the doors are heavy, but it will save you a ton of hassle in the long run.

3. Your Roof

Roof leaks or failures are expensive and messy — but you can prevent most of them by keeping an eye on your Roof.

Inspect your roof for any signs of wear and tear, including cracked mortar and broken shingles. During the warmer months, keep your roof clear of debris and cut back any branches that could fall on the roof during poor weather. During the winter, take some time to rake off any excess snow — heavy snowfall can weigh down the roof and cause it to collapse.

It’s easy to ignore your roof when you’re doing other home maintenance, but inspecting it regularly can save you thousands of dollars in repairs in the future.

4. Shoes

You might not have the skills to repair your own shoes, but a talented cobbler can get many, many years of life out of a good pair of shoes. This can save you a lot of money overall if you find yourself spending a lot on shoes. Plus, in the grand scheme of things, repairing your favorite shoes is a lot better for the environment than getting a new pair of running shoes every six months.

5. Furniture

Let’s face it — furniture is freaking expensive, especially if you invest in high-quality furniture instead of cheap flatpack stuff from Walmart or Ikea. In many cases, repairing a piece of furniture costs dramatically less than replacing it. While there are some things — like mattresses, for example — that won’t be worth the hassle of repairing or rehabilitating, you can usually fix hardwood furniture for a lot cheaper than it costs to replace it.

These are just five examples of things that you should repair before they break — even if a professional must complete those repairs. Just keep an eye on things, and if something looks like it’s going to fail, get a repair priced out.

Scott Huntington is a writer from central Pennsylvania. He enjoys working on his home and garden with his wife and 2 kids. Follow him on Twitter @SMHuntington