Blog

Dec
18

Preventative Home Maintenance: The Smartest Way to Avoid Costly Repairs


Many homeowners only think about repairs when something breaks. A leak appears, paint starts peeling, or damage becomes impossible to ignore. But the most cost-effective approach to home ownership isn’t reactive — it’s preventative maintenance.


Staying ahead of small issues can save thousands of dollars over time and protect the long-term value of your home.


Small Problems Grow Faster Than You Think


Minor issues like hairline cracks, early water damage, or aging caulking might not seem urgent, but they often lead to larger structural or cosmetic problems if ignored. Moisture intrusion, for example, can quietly damage drywall, flooring, and framing before visible signs appear.


A...


Dec
17

Why Home Repairs Often Take Longer Than Expected (And How to Avoid Delays)


One of the most common frustrations homeowners face during a repair or renovation is timing. What starts as a “quick fix” can turn into weeks of unexpected delays, rescheduled trades, and added costs. Many homeowners wonder why projects don’t move as smoothly as promised—and more importantly, how to prevent it from happening in their own homes.


In areas like Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver, several factors combine to make timing especially sensitive: older housing stock, moisture-heavy conditions, and tightly scheduled trades.


The Real Reasons Projects Get Delayed


Delays usually aren’t caused by one big issue, but by a series of s...


Dec
16

What to Do When a Small Home Issue Turns Into a Bigger Problem


How to Check for Hidden Problems When Buying a House | Mellor LawMost serious home repairs don’t start as emergencies. They begin quietly—an odd smell, a hairline crack, a slow leak, or a door that suddenly doesn’t close properly. Homeowners often search online once the problem has already escalated, wondering how something “minor” turned into a costly repair.


In areas like Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver, moisture, shifting structures, and aging materials accelerate this process. What looks harmless on the surface can spread behind walls, under floors, and into framing before there’s any obvious warning.


Why Small Issues Escalate So Quickly


Homes in coastal climates deal with constant ex...


Dec
15

Why Paint Keeps Peeling Indoors — And What It’s Really Telling You


How To Fix Peeling Paint | Family HandymanWhen interior paint starts peeling, bubbling, or flaking, most homeowners assume it’s just poor paint quality or normal wear and tear. In reality, paint failure is usually a warning sign that something deeper is happening inside the home.


At Aftermath Contracting, we regularly uncover hidden issues during what homeowners thought would be a simple repaint. Understanding why paint fails helps prevent repeat problems and unnecessary costs.




The Real Reasons Interior Paint Fails


Paint is designed to protect surfaces, not hide problems. When it starts to lift or blister, it’s often reacting to conditions underneath.


Common causes include:




  • Moisture trapped in walls from small leaks or humidi...


Dec
14

Why Emergency Home Repairs Always Happen at the Worst Time (And How to Be Ready)


12 Emergency Home Repairs You Should Never Ignore | ThumbtackMost homeowners don’t plan for emergency repairs. They plan renovations, upgrades, and remodels — but emergencies arrive uninvited. A pipe bursts at night. A storm tears siding loose. A leak appears during a long weekend. These situations are stressful not just because of the damage, but because of the urgency.


Across Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver, emergency repairs are one of the most common reasons homeowners call Aftermath Contracting. And almost every call starts with the same sentence: “This just happened, and I don’t know what to do.”




Why Emergency Repairs Escalate So Quickly


When something fails suddenly, time becomes the...


Dec
13

Why Small Home Repairs Should Never Be Ignored (And How They Turn Into Big Problems)


Small House Repairs Guide: Costs, Common Fixes, and When to Call a ProMany homeowners put off small repairs because they don’t seem urgent. A loose piece of trim, a hairline crack in drywall, a sticking door, or peeling paint often gets pushed aside for “later.” The problem is that small issues rarely stay small—especially in homes exposed to moisture, daily use, and changing weather.


At Aftermath Contracting, we regularly fix problems that started as simple repairs and turned into expensive projects simply because they were ignored too long.




🔍 How Minor Issues Turn Into Major Repairs


Small signs usually point to bigger problems underneath:




  • Cracks can signal movement or moisture




  • Peeling paint can hide rot




  • Soft flooring may indicate water dam...


Dec
12

Why Regular Exterior Maintenance Saves You Thousands in Future Repairs


Home Exterior Maintenance and Care TipsMost homeowners don’t notice exterior problems until they become expensive. Peeling paint, soft spots, loose trim, clogged gutters, or small cracks in siding don’t look like much — but in a wet climate like the Lower Mainland, those small issues turn into major repairs faster than people realize.


At Aftermath Contracting, we’ve repaired homes where a simple $300 fix turned into $8,000 worth of water damage because it was ignored for one season too long. That’s why exterior maintenance isn’t just “upkeep” — it’s protection.




🔨 1. Small Exterior Issues Spread Fast


Rain, moisture, and temperature changes can turn tiny problems into big on...


Dec
11

Why Winter Is the Best Time to Start Your Home Renovation (Yes, Really)


Home Maintenance: Prepare Your Home For Winter - Neil KellyMost homeowners wait until spring or summer to start their renovation projects. It feels like the “right time” — warmer weather, longer days, and a general sense of productivity.
But here’s the truth most people don’t know:


Winter is actually one of the BEST times to renovate your home.


And at Aftermath Contracting, we’ve seen homeowners save time, money, and stress by starting their projects during the colder months instead of waiting for peak season.




❄️ 1. Faster Project Scheduling


Spring and summer get booked fast.
Winter gives you:




  • Faster start dates




  • More flexible scheduling




  • Shorter wait times




  • Less competition for materials




Your home gets upgraded without sitti...


Dec
10

Why Your Walls Keep Cracking — And What Aftermath Contracting Can Do to Fix It for Good


6 Most Likely Reasons You're Seeing Cracks in Your Walls


Wall cracks are one of the most frustrating issues homeowners deal with.
They show up slowly… spread quietly… and before you know it, you’re worried about whether it’s cosmetic or a real structural problem.


In cities like Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Moody, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver, cracks happen more often than people think — and not always for the reasons they expect.


Whether it’s foundation movement, moisture changes, poor framing, old drywall, or a previous contractor cutting corners, the key is understanding why the cracks are happening before deciding how to fix them.


At Aftermath Contracting, we’ve seen every type of wall crac...


Dec
09

Why Your Home's Drafts Are More Serious Than You Think And How Aftermath Fixes Them


Find Drafts In Your Home - How to Lower Your Heating BillCold drafts sneaking through your home aren’t just annoying—they’re a sign that something in your house isn’t working the way it should. Many homeowners don’t realize that drafts often point to deeper issues hiding behind walls, flooring, insulation, and older windows. Left alone, these problems can slowly increase energy bills, cause moisture buildup, and shorten the lifespan of your home’s structure.


At Aftermath Contracting, we help homeowners across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody understand why drafts form and the best way to fix them for good.




Why Drafts Happen in the First Place


D...