Home repair, especially roofing or foundation repairs, can be extremely expensive. In fact, a large-scale renovation due to foundation or roofing issues can be as expensive as buying a new home. Luckily, there are a few simple home maintenance hacks you can regularly perform to reduce the chances that you will need expensive repairs on your house later down the road. These DIY repairs can help keep your home looking good and in great condition:

1. Clean dirt and mildew from siding
Dirt and mildew aren’t just unsightly; they can actually cause damage to your home. Siding, whether it is vinyl or wood, is susceptible to damage from built-up dirt and debris. Therefore, it’s important to wash the outside of your home with a pressure washer at least twice a year to make sure dirt doesn’t build up over time. Doing so can save you from needing expensive siding repairs in the future.

2. Fix scuffs and dents in flooring
No flooring is completely damage proof. Eventually, hardwood floors will scuff, and even a concrete floor will eventually need repair. It is therefore important to keep damage to the floor under control by regularly fixing blemishes, cracks, and scuffs. Doing so is easier and cheaper than having to replace your floors all at once.

3. DIY driveway sealing
A good driveway could last up to 30 years, but only if you seal it correctly. Note that the biggest mistake people make when sealing their driveway is not filling in the cracks first. Sealant isn’t designed to feel in cracks; it’s designed to protect the asphalt from heat and water damage. Fill in cracks before you seal your driveway for the best results.

4. Patch holes in drywall
This is one of the fastest and easiest ways to maintain your home—drywalling and plastering aren’t as hard as they sound. They don’t require any power tools, and they can be done without a lot of effort. Just cut out a square around the damaged drywall, cut out a piece of new drywall to cover it, insert and screw it in, and plaster over it until the wall is smooth again.

5. Prevent an expensive roof repair
Most people simply don’t think about a lot of the factors that can cause roof damage. For example, cleaning your gutters regularly can stop debris from building up around the edges of the roof. If left unchecked, this debris can rot, deteriorating your roof and allowing water to leak into your home. Replacing shingles regularly is another good idea for roof maintenance. You don’t have to redo all the shingles; just replace the shingles that show visible wear and tear.

6. Seal and fill Foundation cracks
Foundation cracks can come in a variety of severities. Luckily, there’s a product for just about every level of damage. Epoxy sealers and various types of caulk will be your go-to solution for almost every problem. Epoxy, silicone, and polyurethane are great as injection treatments; they can be injected directly into a crack in your foundation to seal it from the inside out. On the other hand, caulk is a great tool to strengthen cinder block foundations and smaller cracks.

7. Improve Timeworn Windows
Rain and heat both take their toll on the integrity of windows. However, with regular maintenance, it’s easy to keep your windows in tip-top condition. A good silicone lubricant will make sure your windows slide up and down the way they’re supposed to. Replacing torn window screens is also a great way to keep some of the elements off of your windows. Finally, installing storm windows is a great way to extend the life of your windows.