🚨 5 Dumb Mistakes That Cost Homeowners Thousands

If you own a house, you're either fixing it... or paying for not fixing it. These 5 mistakes keep contractors rich and homeowners broke.

❌ 1. Ignoring Cracked Caulk Around Windows

Why it matters: That tiny crack lets water in. Water leads to wood rot, mold, and eventually… a $4,000 window replacement you didn’t plan for.

Check it:

Walk the exterior of your house once a year
Look at the vertical seams where window frame meets siding
If it’s cracked, split, or pulling away — it needs new caulk

Fix it:

Scrape away old caulk with a utility knife
Wipe area clean and dry
Apply fresh exterior-grade silicone caulk (not latex!)
Smooth it with your finger or caulk tool
Let it cure for 24 hours

👉 DAP Extreme Stretch Silicone Caulk

❌ 2. Not Cleaning the Dryer Vent

Why it matters:Lint buildup causes 2,900+ house fires per year. Even if you clean the filter, the vent still clogs.

What happens if you don’t:

Dryer overheats → burns out motor → $600+ replacement
Lint ignites → fire spreads into wall cavity

Fix it:

Unplug dryer
Pull it away from wall
Disconnect the vent hose (clamp usually)
Use a dryer vent brush kit and vacuum
Reconnect, turn back on, check airflow

👉 Dryer Vent Cleaning Kit

❌ 3. Forgetting to Test GFCI Outlets

Why it matters:Those outlets with “Test” and “Reset” buttons? They prevent electrocution. But they don’t last forever — and if you don’t test them, they could silently fail.

How to test:

Press the “Test” button — power should cut off
Plug in a lamp or phone charger to confirm
Press “Reset” to restore power
If test fails — replace the outlet. ASAP.

Cost of not checking:

$40 outlet vs. your kid getting shocked in the bathroom

❌ 4. Waiting Too Long to Fix a Leaky Toilet

Why it matters:A leaking flapper or fill valve runs 24/7 — and that means:

$300+ water bills
Mold around the base
Rotting subfloor

How to spot it:

Hear random “refilling” sounds when no one’s using the toilet
Food coloring test in tank: if it bleeds into bowl without flushing, it's leaking

Fix it:

Turn off water at the wall
Flush to empty tank
Replace flapper or fill valve (takes 10 min)
Turn water back on

👉 Korky Universal Flapper & Fill Valve Kit

❌ 5. Not Sealing Driveway Cracks

Why it matters: That little crack becomes a massive pothole once water freezes inside it. Now you’ve got tripping hazards, foundation risk, and HOA complaints.

Fix it: