How to head off disasters at home

For homeowners, it makes sense to tackle minor headaches before they become major migraines. Consumer Reports suggests doing these high-priority projects early.

Runaway rainwater

Telltale signs: Rain pouring over gutters and puddling along foundation walls.

Why you need to act: Water can deteriorate siding and foundation walls, eventually finding its way to interior spaces and damaging them.

What to do: Inspect the entire gutter system for clogs and corrosion; you can clear clogs yourself, but if your gutters are corroded, you’ll want to talk to a pro about having them replaced.

Leaky roofs

Telltale signs: Cracked, curled or missing shingles, which signal that the roof is near its end of life; also cracks in the flashing around chimneys, skylights, roof valleys and the rubber boots around vents.

Why you need to act: If your roof doesn’t provide a proper barrier to rain and snow, water can find its way to your home’s drywall and insulation, leading to rot and interior water damage.

What to do: You might be able to replace a shingle here and there, or patch leaky flashing. But if your roof is more than 20 years old, it’s probably time for a new one. If it’s an asphalt shingle roof with only one layer, you might be able to add a second layer over it, lowering the proj-

ect costs significantly.

Insect infestations

Telltale signs: Rotted wood in the sill plate that sits on top of the foundation and cast-off wings along windowsills and walls are evidence of termites.

Piles of sawdust along baseboards are a sign of carpenter ants.

Why you need to act: Tiny as they are, these insects can cause major structural problems if left to nosh on your home’s wooden framework.

What to do: Call an exterminator. Check for accreditation on the database of the National Pest Management Association (pestworld.org).

Foundation crack

Telltale signs: Cracks in the concrete, especially those that are wider than 3/16 inch, as well as signs of the walls bulging and buckling.

Why you need to act: An unstable foundation can compromise the entire structure of your house.

What to do: Hairline cracks can usually be filled with an epoxy injection system. If the cracks seem to be getting bigger, Consumer Reports suggests consulting a structural engineer.

Mold and mildew

Telltale signs: Musty odors, dank air and black mold spores growing on surfaces such as bathroom

ceilings.

Why you need to act: Any surfaces that harbor extensive mold, including drywall, carpet and ceiling tiles, will need to be removed. Otherwise mold spores will be released into the air, causing allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

What to do: If you catch it early, patches of mold less than 10 square

feet can be treated with a homemade solution of 1 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Wear an N-95 disposable respirator, goggles and heavyduty gloves. For larger outbreaks, or if the ventilation system is contaminated, call in a mold-remediation pro.