As a home inspector, I often see the same problems in new and old homes. While some are issues best left to the experts to fix (electrical…), some are simple maintenance issues that an owner can fix themselves at minimal cost. Here are several problems that can be easily fixed, so you don’t have to list them as problems when you inspect your home:

1. Loose toilets: Your bathrooms should be a solid throne, not a rocking/swivel chair. When the toilet comes loose from the toilet flange, the movement damages the wax ring that forms the seal between the toilet and the flange (the drain pipe). This can quickly lead to sewage leaks. If your toilet rocks when you sit on it, or if you can easily turn it over, it’s time to lift it up, replace the wax seal, and restart the toilet. As a DIY project, all you need is the wax ring, which should cost you less than $10.

2. Leaky Sinks: Another common source of plumbing leaks is under sinks. These leaks sometimes stay hidden until I get there and really test the pipes. To properly test your sink, plug in the stopper and fill it…almost to the top. If you have an overflow, let a good amount of water run through it, as these are often clogged or leaking. Once the sink is full, pull the stopper out and look under the sink with a flashlight. If you see water dripping, it’s time to tighten things up a bit or it may be time to replace the drain pipe. If you decide to fix this yourself, be sure to use the correct materials and check for leaks after and after using it a few times.

3. Caulk/Grout in Bathtubs and Showers: Although tubes of putty say they are good for 20-30 years, it should be tested under absolutely ideal conditions. I’ve gotten several complaints from the seller’s side about being picky about caulk and grout, but these two things are your first line defense against water intrusion into the walls behind the shower.

The good news is that removing the old caulk and replacing it is fairly easy and inexpensive. Grouting requires a little more skill, but it’s still not difficult or expensive. As a side note, grout doesn’t work well in corners, but most grout manufacturers have matching caulk that can be used in shower corners.

4. Downspout Extensions: I cannot stress enough how important it is to remove water from your foundation, even if you don’t have a foundation. And by far, I mean 6-8 feet away. This means that those plastic backsplash blocks you can attach to the bottom of your downspout aren’t enough. Get the expandable hoses and stretch them out (less than $10 each). Also make sure the ground around your house slopes away from the foundation, at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet. If you have underground drains for your downspouts, make sure they work. During steady rain (not a thunderstorm), go outside and make sure they aren’t backing up where the downspout connects. If so, it’s time to clean them, because this just throws out a lot of water right next to the base.

5. Smoke/carbon monoxide alarms: Please please make sure they are working! They save lives! If you have not yet upgraded to the units with the 10 year battery, be sure to change the batteries in all your alarms every 6 months. If you have gas/oil appliances (oven, water heater, stove, etc.), a fireplace, or an attached garage, you must also have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. One on each level with a potential source of CO, as well as one in the hallway outside of the bedrooms. I cannot stress this enough, not only to aid in inspection, but to save your life in an emergency.

6. GFCI Outputs: Check that they work. You should be doing this every month anyway, but this is another frequent problem I encounter. To test, simply press the test button, which should cause the reset button to pop (and turn off). Then press the reset button to restore power. As long as the test works and the enclosure reboots, it should work fine. If the test doesn’t work, or if the receptacle won’t reset, it’s time to have it replaced by an electrician.

7. Penthouses: When was the last time you were in your attic? Look up to see how the insulation is. Are there areas where insulation is lacking? Pay attention to the areas around electrical boxes (which should have a cover) and bathroom ventilation fans. If insulation is missing or displaced, it will show up like a sore thumb on the thermal imager. It only takes a little time to redistribute displaced blown insulation, but you should wear protective gear such as disposable coveralls, goggles, and a dust mask. If your home was built before the early 1990s, be aware that the insulation may be vermiculite. If you suspect so, have it checked by a licensed insulation contractor.

While you’re in the attic, take a moment to check your bathroom fans. They should be connected to a vent pipe coming out of the attic. These fans are designed to remove warm, humid air, and when that air enters the attic, it can cause wood to rot and mold to form.

8. Dryer Vent Hoses: Another common problem I encounter is with the dryer vent hose. The suitable type of hose is the semi-rigid hose. I frequently encounter flexible aluminum foil hoses, and their even more dangerous substitute, plastic hose! Both were designed for things like bathroom fans, not anything with heat. Remember, the fluff is very flammable, and aluminum and plastic vents cannot contain flames. Believe it or not, these vents were allowed until 2006, when the new standard was finally issued. Look for a dryer vent hose that meets UL2158A standards.

9. Ovens: When was the last time you changed your furnace/AC filter? If you have to think about it, or it’s been over a month, go ahead and replace it. While you’re there, if your furnace runs on oil or propane, is there enough in the tank for the inspector to test the unit? And are the pilot lights on in all your appliances? This is one of the most frequent reasons why I go back to inspect something and, most of the time, the seller ends up paying me for the re-inspection.

10. Light bulbs: This probably seems like another tricky problem, but in addition to showing the buyer how well the house is lit and making moving around the basement safer, I need to know that everything works. I don’t have time to search for replacement bulbs or swap out working fixture bulbs to make sure it’s just a bad bulb. If a light doesn’t work, I’d have to assume there’s something more than just a bad bulb.

Checking these 10 things will not only help you pass your home inspection, but will also contribute to the health and safety of your home. So even if you’re not preparing to sell your home, take a few minutes to review it. The time invested now will save you a lot of time and money in the future.