What do you do when their isn't enough money for house repairs?

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 07-18-2008, 04:26 PM

our house is 35 years old and I the people that lived here the whole time didn't do much to it. No updating at all (not necessary for us to live here) and bare minimum on upkeeping the essentials. So the roof has a leak over the garage and really needs to be replaced all over. It is the second layer and is pretty old. We had someone look at it and we were told it wouldn't last much longer and of course it has the leak.

The fireplace is extremely drafty, there is literally a cold breeze blowing through the den all winter. We keep a big moving blanket over it, which helps, but that room is so cold. We looked at getting a new damper that would seal it up perfectly and installed it will be $500. Dh wants to do it himself, but we don't have a big enough ladder to do it, so we would have to buy it, which brings the total back up to $500. But I would rather have a ladder than not, so it would still be better to do it ourselves rather than pay someone.

Then the driveway is a complete wreck. The kids can't really play on it it is so torn up and riding scooters is impossible and bikes is a little dangerous. The kids can (and do) literally pull up strips of the ashpalt. We are in the middle of getting estimates to replace it and of course the whole thing needs to be dug out and redone. The lady called and the city has a rule that if you do that you have to replace the drain pipe that runs under the driveway, which of course really adds to the expense.

So we have all these big expenses looming and virtually no money to cover them. What would you do? Pull some from the EF? We don't have enough to cover the roof and I don't know about the driveway. I do think that the driveway is the last priority here. I am just so frustrated with all the places that need our money and not enough money to go around. I am also sad because I had hoped to sign up my dd for gymnastics this year, $44 a month, not too much, but when we have so many other things that need our money I can't justify putting her in. But then I think well then we will never have the money for it all, so i might as well just sign her up. I guess I am just frustrated and a little depressed at the money situation right now. How do y'all handle times like this? Thanks!

**zakity** · 07-18-2008, 05:25 PM

If you have the money, I would do the flue/fireplace thing because that is costing you money.

As for the driveway, I would save up for it. If you can still drive on the driveway, then I consider it fixing it is just cosmetic.

**tbs727** · 07-18-2008, 05:31 PM

Can you rent a large ladder? Maybe that could cut down on the cost?

**Wendy99** · 07-18-2008, 06:03 PM

I would hold off on the driveway - save up for that. The roof I would have fixed right away. I don't have a fireplace, but is there any other way to stop the draft right now? Are there other drafty things in the room that cause it to be cold? Drafty windows etc? Roof is the most expensive thing and the most necessary - you have to protect your investment .. so I would start with that and save for the rest.

**Buckeye5** · 07-18-2008, 06:24 PM

We have a few similar things going on with our house. We just patched the roof the best we can, and are keeping our fingers crossed. I wouldn't feel too bad about the gmnastics things, I have had to say no to my kids too . There are many families making sacrifices right now because of the costs of gas, energy, food, just about everything. We are trying to do the minimal things to our house repairs, and save somehow for the rest. Also, we are trying to pay off our debt at the same time. Don't feel alone, people across the country are feeling the same pinch. Do the best you can, and that will have to be good enough. Also, maybe look online or get a book from the library about some do it yourself projests that maybe could help with the home repairs. Good luck.

**lgw** · 07-18-2008, 06:29 PM

How much do you use the fireplace? This may sound drastic, but what about bricking it up? Or at least building a snug-fitting, insulated cover for the front? Either way, I'd take care of that ASAP, since it's costing you a lot of money in the long run. The roof also should be a priority. What about a gravel/stone driveway?

**leezza** · 07-18-2008, 06:51 PM

"So the roof has a leak over the garage and really needs to be replaced all over."

Just some thoughts:

*Could you get bids from the roofers for sections??? Have them give you a bid on the roof over the garage and a separate one for the rest of the house. If you know that the area over the garage is leaking get that taken care of first with the EF and then save the have the rest of the work done. JMHO

*I would also take care of the fireplace problem before winter hits so that you don't have increased heating bills......

Good Luck,
leezza

**IntlMom** · 07-18-2008, 06:54 PM

It's true, the fireplace is costing you money in the winter for heating.....I;d do that first, but the roof sounds pretty importatn too.....sorry you;re in such a pickle.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 07-18-2008, 07:14 PM

I'd focus on the house first. I would then save up for the driveway repairs. The house > the driveway. The kids will just have to avoid the driveway if it's in that much disarray.

**jamie79** · 07-18-2008, 09:00 PM

Yep I would do the roof and fireplace. Kids have to learn that there are things they cant do because of finances. Its actually a good lesson for them to learn. The roof and fireplace by not fixing them will end up costing you more money

**nodmicks** · 07-18-2008, 09:31 PM

I totally get this since our house isa over 150 years. I'd fix the fireplace and patch the roof. Our whole roof needs to be done but we had it patched by the roofer ~ worked great ~ not expensive.
I'd save for the rest of the roof and the driveway.

**Greebo** · 07-18-2008, 10:28 PM

First: I'm very sorry - but welcome to home ownership Time to get good at home repair.

Originally Posted by my4littlebuffaloes

our house is 35 years old and I the people that lived here the whole time didn't do much to it. No updating at all (not necessary for us to live here) and bare minimum on upkeeping the essentials. So the roof has a leak over the garage and really needs to be replaced all over. It is the second layer and is pretty old. We had someone look at it and we were told it wouldn't last much longer and of course it has the leak.

If the only place leaking is over the garage, then go get a package of shingles that nearly match, some roofing nails, and a ladder. Read up on DIY info about how to replace bad shingles. Pull up the two layers of shingles over the leak, put down new shingles. Test with a hose.

The fireplace is extremely drafty, there is literally a cold breeze blowing through the den all winter. We keep a big moving blanket over it, which helps, but that room is so cold. We looked at getting a new damper that would seal it up perfectly and installed it will be $500. Dh wants to do it himself, but we don't have a big enough ladder to do it, so we would have to buy it, which brings the total back up to $500. But I would rather have a ladder than not, so it would still be better to do it ourselves rather than pay someone.

The wind is coming down through the fireplace, is that it? Do you use it regularly? Is it the damper that is leaking, or is it the seal around the damper? You could, for the time being, put a plug in the chimney unless something else is also venting out of the chimney - until you have money for repairs. You'll have to live w/o a fire though, until its fixed.

Then the driveway is a complete wreck. The kids can't really play on it it is so torn up and riding scooters is impossible and bikes is a little dangerous. The kids can (and do) literally pull up strips of the ashpalt. We are in the middle of getting estimates to replace it and of course the whole thing needs to be dug out and redone. The lady called and the city has a rule that if you do that you have to replace the drain pipe that runs under the driveway, which of course really adds to the expense.

Of course the contractors say it has to be redone. Go to Home Depot and get two or three buckets of asphalt sealant and rent a pressure washer. Clean the driveway, give it a coating of sealant (sticky work), and save the money to have it redone.

So we have all these big expenses looming and virtually no money to cover them. What would you do? Pull some from the EF?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. HOME REPAIRS ARE NOT AN EMERGENCY. Ok, they CAN be - but these aren't - emergency = oh my god we need a plumber here right now the water is pouring out of the oven. "Oh we need to fix this sooner or later but we don't have it this minute" is not - repeat - NOT an emergency. You've had time to plan - you have time to patch it up for short term.

How do y'all handle times like this? Thanks!

Exactly what I said - do it yourself patch until you SAVE the money for the job to be done right. You can learn, and it will save you a BUNDLE.

**rachelj** · 07-19-2008, 03:38 AM

I could say the exact same thing about our house. It is 30 years old, leak in roof over the garage and bad air leak in fireplace.

B/c we are actually working on other areas of the house (this house has or will get almost a total overhall it seems), the roof is waiting. Dh just periodically goes up there with tar and temporarily fixes the leak.

We've thinking about replacing the wood fireplace with an insert of some sort - gas or wood burning stove. I don't think that we knew you could replace a damper - that is something to look into!! Thank you so much for that info.

Do the tar thing like my dh or do a small part with the shingles like greebo said. I would also look at getting that damper fixed. I understand ALOT about losing air up that thing in the winter (our fireplace doesn't even have doors on it to close it off). This will probably help with your heating bill. Then start saving up for the rest! You can do it!!

**TheRootedNomad** · 07-19-2008, 07:59 AM

Oh I'm so mad ...power surge knocked me out right before this posted! Ok back oon topic.

The roof: Growing up around roofing I can tell you getting the leak fixed is the #1 priority. This should be a fairly cheap and easy do it yourself project....unless the plywood sheathing underneath the shingles is already rotted. Have you hausband check for this very carefully. Check from the attic if you have one, feel for "sponginess" when walking on it, and of coarse look under the shingles. Most leaks usually happen at the seams around vents and such. That could just be a good thick coat of tar sealent on the seam.

Ok now if the sheathing is already rotted your project just got a little more complicated and you'll want to do a little more research.

Once the leak is fixed SAVE for a new roof. If you are going to get prices and your husband is handy at all, get estimates for an already stripped roof. Have your husband "rip" the roof. Maybe invite his friends and cook for them. A double roof rip is heavy labor but not hard to figure out. You just need men, shovels, and a large dumpster. By getting the estimates this way You'll save not only the labor cost but also the BIG extra charge most roofers add onto the dumpster fee. You're absolute best deal on this will be to find a roofer that will work up a supply list for you so you can buy the material yourself and will just charge you labor be the "square". If he's a good roofer he'll have a cheap helper load the roof for hom and feed hom the shingles. The two of them will be able to get the "pre-ripped" roof on in one day. You'll get a good job and a good price. He'll get an easy day's labor because you've done the hard part for him.

The damper: Save for the damper. Have your DH borrow a ladder and do it himslef. By not paying installation or for the ladder you'll probably cut the price in half. Someone you know or is in your neighborhood probably has one and would probably willingly let you borrow it when you offer them a batch of fresh cookies for the use.

The driveway: Our asphalt driveway here was beyond sealent repair here when we moved in 8 years ago. Our kids have pulled up chunks and been grounded for it. It is finally on the agenda for spring 2010 (new garage/driveway). Other things were just bigger priorities. A driveway is not an emergency. If it's sealable, great. It will still be sealable next spring. Both the roof and the damper sound like bigger priorities to me.

whoosh...sorry for being so long winded. Hope that helped.

**warramra** · 07-19-2008, 08:23 AM

Home repairs...with a 40 yr old house it feels like we are always doing home repairs. Every year we sit down and make a list of what needs to be done that year. We have a separate savings account that is only for home repairs.

One suggestion on the fireplace/chimney since we just had a bunch of work done on ours this year, find a chimney sweep and have them come out and give you a quote. There was water leaking down the inside of our chimney, we had our neighbor's sweep come out and for less than $500 he: fixed the flashing, re-sealed the crown, replaced the vent cover with a used one in better shape, and installed a used damper (ours had been removed by a previous owner) and cleaned the whole system. When wood stoves are installed, they remove the dampers which are in perfectly good condition. If you can find someone who does this kind of work you can probably get it pretty cheaply, even installed.