This article was first written in 2010. It was refreshed in 2011 when Canadian housing markets were humming. Interest rates were rock-bottom. Today in 2025, housing is far pricier, and Canadians face higher borrowing costs. However, one thing hasn’t changed. Procrastination on maintenance, whether in your home or your finances, still costs more in the end. I have better excuses now, with my bum knee though!
Typically, I try to avoid home repairs by cozying up in bed and pretending my knee hurts (you’d be amazed at how effective that can be!). However, I’ve learned that some problems can’t be ignored, as they can escalate quickly. For example, I once felt confident I had fixed a plumbing issue on my own. Unfortunately, I soon realized I needed professional help, as my solution didn’t quite cut it. It’s a valuable lesson that embracing a proactive attitude can keep small issues from turning into big headaches!
Exciting news from the Cajun Homestead! We’ve noticed some intriguing skittering and scuttering noises from one of our walls. Our awning cover is situated just under the eaves. This positioning provided a clever access point for a larger creature to nudge the soffit. This has resulted in a small hole, and we’re eager to address it! It’s all part of the adventure in maintaining our lovely home.
It seems this hole was expanded, giving different critters a way into the attic beside our house. Unfortunately, since our roof decks are divided, I can’t access that attic space to make the needed repairs. I’m eager to find a solution soon!
The noise of critters in this attic finally got to Mrs. C8j and she announced to me that she didn’t care how lazy (or injured) I was we had to do something about this before the winter comes. Her concerns were that these beasts might move in permanently, leading to more problems with their spring babies. I hesitantly agreed and off we went to Home Depot to kibitz about how to fix this hole.
We finally decided on a temporary fix that will cover the hole with a strong metal mesh (stronger that chicken wire), held in place with metal tapping screws. You can see the fix over the hole in the picture supplied. This seems to have stopped the critters from entering for now, and hopefully for the foreseeable future as well.
Am I Excited?
I'm excited to tackle this issue by replacing the eaves and clearing out any clutter in the attic! While accessing the attic might present some challenges, I’m optimistic about finding a solution. It's good to know that our house is now significantly more secure, particularly against those pesky squirrels! Let's keep moving forward together!
I completely understand that while this temporary fix is just a stepping stone, it's essential for navigating our current situation. Sometimes, short-term solutions are the key to getting through tough times. With the current global economic uncertainty, you might also discover the value of a temporary approach in your financial plans. Just remember, it’s vital to work towards a solid long-term solution eventually! (Surprised I connected this back to personal finance, right?) Let’s tackle this together—it’s all part of the journey!
Why am I writing about this? Pride? No, but it's important not to procrastinate too much, or you might end up with much bigger problems faster than you think.
3 Common Mistakes
Procrastinating because the task feels inconvenient or “not urgent.”
Treating temporary fixes as permanent solutions.
Ignoring minor problems until they balloon (holes, debts, clutter).
