Regularly scheduled preventative home maintenance is important, especially when it comes to avoiding expensive problems down the road.

Here are three common problems that plague most homeowners and tips to avoid them.

MOISTURE. One of the most serious problems for homeowners is moisture. To keep moisture away from your house be sure to:

• Install rain gutters, if you don’t already have them to direct water away from the foundation and can help prevent a cracked slab.
• Clear leaves from your rain gutters at least twice a year to avoid water backup that can rot wood gutters and rust those made of sheet metal.
• Flush clogged drainpipes with a hose. If that doesn’t work, use a plumber’s snake to free the debris from the gutter drainpipe.
• Adjust your lawn sprinklers to ensure that you don’t water your house along with your grass and garden. Wet wood can rot and attract damp wood termites.
• Inspect the washers on your hose and outdoor faucet periodically and replace them if needed to prevent dripping water from soaking the foundation of your home.
• Use the bathroom fan or open a window when you take a shower to prevent condensation that encourages mold and mildew growth.

TERMITES.  An annual inspection, especially in older homes, is a preventative must. Contract with a reputable pest control company to check for signs of infestation and potential problem areas. Here are the top three signs of termite activity:

• Discarded Wings: Leftover termite wings can be found near closed windows, doors and other home-access points. This is caused when termites swarm out of their nest to try and start a new colony. They fly one at a time and only for a short distance. When they land, termites intentionally twist their wings off because they will never need them again.
• Mud Tubes:  Pencil-sized mud tubes can be found wherever the ground meets your house or any other possible food source like a tree or shed. They are caused because termites require certain temperature and humidity levels to survive. Their tunnels help block out cool, dry air, effectively turning your home into an environment where they can thrive.
• Wood Damage: Wood damage is found below and behind surfaces like walls, floors and more and is caused when termites chew through wood in search of cellulose, leaving behind long grooves. Over time, these grooves weaken the wood and create structural damage.

ROOF. Florida’s climate is rough on roofs, especially in the summer with hail, flooding, extreme heat, and hurricanes. It is very common for roof maintenance to be ignored, but it is important to know that small problems with your roof can lead to some of the most costly home repairs.  Here are three signs that could be associated with roof damage that need immediate attention.

• Dark Spots
• Mold
• Dampness in ceilings and walls