Almost every homeowner has a few little breaks or problems in their homes. Maybe you have a window that is stuck so you just don’t open it. Maybe your toilet runs occasionally, but not enough to call a plumber. These issues seem small, but they still need to be repaired. Here’s why you should invest in regular maintenance sooner rather than later.

Small problems become major repairs.

It’s completely understandable that you don’t want to worry about minor repairs. You have enough sources of stress in your life without dropping everything to fix an oven or bring in a technician for your dishwasher. However, these small breaks are warning signs that your appliances have problems, and these problems can get worse if they are neglected.

The refrigerator is a great example of this. If you ignore a weird noise from your refrigerator or a strange smell coming from the ice maker, then it’s more likely to break down entirely and spoil your food. You might even need to pay more for an emergency service call to get it running again.

As soon as you notice problems with your dryer, oven, or other equipment, find a company that can help. If you live in Idaho, for example, look for resources that offer appliance repairs in Boise or wherever you live. You can save yourself the stress (and even money on service fees) by reaching out before the problem becomes severe.

Your repairs might be covered under your warranty.

Whenever you buy a new appliance, evaluate your warranty options to see how long you are covered if something breaks. If you recently bought a house, see if any of the warranties are transferable.

The industry standard for warranties is only a few years, which means ignoring basic maintenance can cost you more money if you wait. If you put off fixing your refrigerator for a few months, the warranty could expire, driving up your repair costs. Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t keep up with covered items and don’t know how long their protection lasts. With the right documentation, you can save money and be the exception.

If you aren’t sure about individual appliance warranties, consider investing in a home warranty plan through a company like the AFC Home Club. With the right system plan, you can protect everything from your washer to your stove and garbage disposal. When something breaks, submit a service request and your warranty provider will send a contractor to fix your appliance quickly and affordably.

As you shop for a home warranty, make sure the company you choose is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to make sure you get the service you need. There are also different home warranty prices to choose from, so you can choose a plan that aligns with your budget.

Your home will be ready to sell faster.

Every homeowner wants to get money back from a home they invested in, and you increase your potential listing price by keeping your property in good condition. When you decide to move, you will need to complete a list of repairs to provide the house is in good condition and to appeal to buyers. For example, upgrading to a tankless water heater can increase your home’s value.

By keeping up with repairs and maintaining your home, there will be less work to do when you want to sell it. This can speed up the listing process while helping you save your energy for the next home’s list of repairs.

By practicing good maintenance habits and opting for a home warranty, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is in good shape and less likely to require emergency service. While you can’t plan for everything, keeping your house in good condition can help you avoid unwanted service fees and repair costs.