Every homeowner has a list of home improvement projects they’d love to complete if they were whisked onto HGTV. However, barring a sudden influx of resources, a lot of items on the list are idle wishes. Sure, you wouldn’t mind if your attic was clean, but that doesn’t mean you want to spend your free time organizing a dusty room.

There are a few renovation projects that need to be performed immediately. You can’t afford to put them off.

Here’s what they are.

Water Damage

Flooding can cause significant damage if left unchecked. Your entire home’s foundation is at risk. Your electrical system can be harmed as well, forcing you to hire a professional.

According to a group of Oklahoma City electrical contractors: “Many residential and commercial property owners think of calling an electrician only when they’re constructing something new. However, if you need any kind of electrical repairs at your property, it’s always recommended to call an electrician. Doing electrical work by yourself can be dangerous. How much risk are you willing to take to save a few dollars?”

The second you realize part of your property has been flooded it’s time to leap into action.

Broken Windows

Broken windows might seem like a minor problem but they’ll quickly turn into a major hassle if you ignore them. Allowing a draft to enter your home messes with your energy bill. It costs you money to heat and cool your home.

It’s also dangerous. A thief who spots the broken pane of glass might be tempted to break in. After all, you’re advertising your faulty security system. Human interlopers aren’t the only risks. Bugs and animals will creep into broken windows as well.

Strange Smells

If you smell a gas leak, leave your home immediately. It’s potentially a very dangerous situation. You can’t hesitate even for a moment.

Other foul smells need to be investigated as well, but the sense of urgency isn’t as extreme. Still, you obviously don’t want to pretend it’s not happening. If the smell comes from rotting food, it could lead to mold and other health problems.

Taking care of a serious mold infestation is a very expensive problem, It’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to keep your house clean.

Damaged Appliances

The state of your appliances plays a big role in your overall happiness with your property. A broken stove or oven, for example, will severely cripple your ability to enjoy a meal in your kitchen. Who wants to live in a home where you can’t use your kitchen?

A broken toilet is even more inconvenient. You don’t have to make these repairs for safety reasons. You need to think about your own comfort level. There are certain conveniences that modern people have grown used to. Living without them is possible, but you probably have no desire to enter that lifestyle.

Destroyed Floors

Minor scrapes on your hardwood floors or stains on your carpet are visually unappealing but there’s no pressing need to fix the problem. However, if your floors are severely damaged, it could easily spiral out of control.

You could also hurt yourself. Terrible floors put you at risk for falling or cutting your feet. It’s true that replacing your floors is often very expensive. However, it’s also true that you might be able to recoup your losses when you sell your property. Potential buyers will appreciate your new floors.

Problem Stairs

In books and movies, characters often jump over missing steps like it’s no big deal. It’s actually very dangerous. One thoughtless moment and you could fall in the crack and break your leg. Your staircase can be one of the grandest parts of your home if you take care of it. The moment you notice that one of the stairs feels weak, it’s time to fix it.

Renovating your home can be a huge project. It’s not surprising that so many homeowners like to chop the work up into manageable pieces. However, that means it’s easy to get into the habit of letting things slide. This is a huge problem when it comes to certain issues.

Being a homeowner comes with responsibilities. If you don’t want to think about replacing the water heater, be a renter. You’ll pay more for your accommodations but you won’t have to worry about property upkeep.

If you still desire the benefits of home ownership, you have to factor in the financial and time commitment you owe to your property.