Housing repairs

[TexasFreedom]

As one of the many things I do, I go into various people's homes. Maybe this is just me, but it seems 'repairs' of serious problems are getting neglected.

For example, I went into 2 homes this past week. One home, beautiful little house on a hilltop on a farm, older couple. There was a roof leak, and a 2'x2' piece of sheetrock had gotten soaked and broken (hanging by some of the paper). You see the insulation above it, and they said it'd been about 2 years like that. People didn't appear financially stressed, yet that was ignored. In fact it looked like they recently replaced the roof (but didn't repair tine indoor damage?).

The next home, it was probably 80 years old with a single elderly man living there. I don't have time to list the repairs needed, let's just say a solid 10 years of ignored issues have been accumulating. I know his family, they are taking care of him (he has significant health issues), but the house is basically being let go & it will likely never be lived in after he passes (he's almost 90). OK, this is an example that doesn't concern me as I understand the road to come.

But another home: couple with 2 teen kids living in town. Both parents work, decent jobs. Foundation problems: you can stick you hand into the 10' cracks on various walls in the living room. No outdoor maintenance being done. Dad is obese, can't or won't care of the house. Teenage boy is focused on video games.

I'm not saying all homes are this bad. But I'd say maybe 50% of the homes have major issues being ignored.

Do others here notice similar things?

 

[Gazrok]

Absolutely.

When we inherited our place, my wife's dad was in poor health, so really had let a lot of things go. Years later, and we STILL haven't really finished fixing everything. Can you really ever be finished? We've done major work of course, but at least we are on the task....

I imagine though, that a lot of folks either just don't know, or just don't care about it. I too though, am guilty of procrastinating on an interior ceiling repair of the sheet rock in my son's room. Mostly because my son will likely just put another hole in it, so half of me thinks I should just wait until he moves out. He's broken his closet door, the damn wooden 4 poster bed we bought for the room, etc. He's broken a desk, a chair. The kid's a damn demolition crew. (and that's just the stuff in HIS room). (the "kid" is 22 yrs old)

We've had to repair a leak in a copper pipe, under the foundation. Wasn't that fun. Had to replace all of the kitchen appliances (old 70s style), with new stainless steel. I've had to repair outlets, ceiling fans, light fixtures, put in new fixtures, run water pipes, and all kinds of other minor fixes. Not to mention constant fence and gate repairs due to keeping horses.

Still have some electrical fixes to do. I think a breaker is out (one that goes to some outside property outlets, including our sign light by the road), and my second A/C unit isn't working. But, it's $90 just to get a guy out to look at it. I was out of work for 6 months, so we're still digging out from that.

Difference is though, I WILL actually do these things. May have to prioritize, budget, etc., but it WILL get done. I suspect SOME of the things you've seen are similar...but maybe not. Luckily, I just happen to be a handy guy. I learned it from my grandfather, but never did it professionally. Still, I can do basic plumbing, electrical, and carpentry....enough to get by.

 

[Proud Prepper]

Yes I have noticed an increase in neglect of property

 

[TexasFreedom]

Gazrok,

So with the 22 yo kid, so are you saying you had both a hurricane outside, AND you live with a virtual hurricane INSIDE?

I remember 22 yo. I knew everything, I could do anything, and nearly everything was 'beneath me'. Rough age. Surprised (like most) that I wasn't killed for being so stupid back then.

I hope you have a plan for him. Or I should say does HE have a plan? Schedule for what he wants to do (or is doing). Realistic goals to get there with details (time, detailed goal, etc). And regular sit-downs to see how he's doing. I'm not saying to kick him out tomorrow (although I bet you're tempted many times!). But you don't want to watch 10 years pass & have a 32 yo still at home.

All the best in pointing him in the right direction & slapping/kicking him in the backside to get going.

PS: DON'T let him work on your car!

 

[DrPrepper1]

I have been doing a bunch of minor upgrades and repairs, but I never really thought of it as prepping. I am getting a new vanity sink installed in a couple of weeks. We learned that the copper pipe underneath is corroding. We will have to replace that as well.

 

[Gazrok]

He's already broken several things on HIS car, lol.

He bought an old beater off a friend of mine. To his credit, he did go about getting it all legal, insured, etc. I've been showing him how to do his own maintenance at least.

Not that I want to kick him out....but of course, he does want to be able to move out. Just really doesn't have a plan for it. These days, kids need a roommate or two, or they just can't afford it.

That's what my daughter did. Now, she pays more rent, for less space, and less amenities, but hey, her choice. At our house, she had her own room, own bathroom, and home-cooked meals each day. There, she has a tiny bedroom, and now has to use her own money for food, in addition to paying $50 more in rent. (and her 30hrs got dropped to 20hrs). Now, our generation's solution would be to get a 2nd job to get more hours. The very thought is alien to this current generation, it seems.

As many headaches that come with the kids living at home, I do like the extra income (even though I blow half of it in groceries for them), and I like having them near. We have the space, so otherwise, it just kind of sits there. At least they always have it as a fallback. They always have some place to go. Maybe that's an incentive not to try as hard, I don't know, but it just seems silly to NOT give them that safety net when we can.

 

[Mountain trapper]

As one of the many things I do, I go into various people's homes. Maybe this is just me, but it seems 'repairs' of serious problems are getting neglected.

For example, I went into 2 homes this past week. One home, beautiful little house on a hilltop on a farm, older couple. There was a roof leak, and a 2'x2' piece of sheetrock had gotten soaked and broken (hanging by some of the paper). You see the insulation above it, and they said it'd been about 2 years like that. People didn't appear financially stressed, yet that was ignored. In fact it looked like they recently replaced the roof (but didn't repair tine indoor damage?).

The next home, it was probably 80 years old with a single elderly man living there. I don't have time to list the repairs needed, let's just say a solid 10 years of ignored issues have been accumulating. I know his family, they are taking care of him (he has significant health issues), but the house is basically being let go & it will likely never be lived in after he passes (he's almost 90). OK, this is an example that doesn't concern me as I understand the road to come.

But another home: couple with 2 teen kids living in town. Both parents work, decent jobs. Foundation problems: you can stick you hand into the 10' cracks on various walls in the living room. No outdoor maintenance being done. Dad is obese, can't or won't care of the house. Teenage boy is focused on video games.

I'm not saying all homes are this bad. But I'd say maybe 50% of the homes have major issues being ignored.

Do others here notice similar things?

With all the time spent watching TV, who has time for repairs?

 

[Gazrok]

I often watch TV while doing the repairs, lol....

 

[DrHenley]

We have three TVs...and they are all used as computer monitors.

I think the last TV show I watched was The Walking Dead when Negan killed Glenn. That was the last straw for me.

Except of course for some football games.

Wait...never mind...I watched those online through ESPN Now.