To the uninitiated, plumbing repairs and maintenance can be intimidating. Major repairs and plumbing emergencies are no doubt best left to the professionals, but with a few tools and a bit of knowhow, smaller fixes can be accomplished by any homeowner.

With that in mind, here are five tips for the aspiring DIY plumber:

Calgary is one of the most unique cities in Canada when it comes to weather. Throughout the year, we can see temperatures span from -40C to 40C in a matter of months, and chinooks can warm our frostbitten city into a springtime paradise in only a few short days.

Because of this, our homes have to be prepared to withstand the most extreme weather Alberta has to offer. While these temperature fluctuations can cause damage to your home's exterior, they can also affect your home's interior, as there is a direct correlation between the temperature outside and the indoor humidity. The damage your home sustains could lead to unforeseen issues and cost thousands of dollars to repair.

In a normal year, crafting a few New Year's resolutions can be a fun way to identify opportunities for personal growth and development in the year ahead. However, 2020 has not been a normal year by any stretch.

Given the circumstances, you could certainly be forgiven for deciding that 2021 requires no loftier pledge than "I will make it through this year in one piece." But if you are still looking for some self-improvement suggestions, here are a few real estate resolutions to set you up for success next year:

Calgarians have had more than their share of weather challenges this summer, including several nasty bouts of hail. Thankfully, a little preparation can help your home's roof emerge unscathed the next time golf-ball-sized ice chunks starts falling from the sky.

When you're buying a new home, the last thing you need is to inherit someone else's problems. Even if you've done a walkthrough and taken a close look at plumbing fixtures, paint and ceilings, the potential for disaster might be lurking just beneath the surface – literally.

Thanks to Mother Nature's rotating extremes of freezing snow and thawing chinooks in the Calgary region, our rooftops require special attention. Like a solid foundation, the roof is essential to a home's structural integrity. Poor maintenance can result in major damage, inside and out.

Special assessments, condo fees, reserve funds – the finances involved with buying and maintaining a condo can be overwhelming.

Judy Feng, staff lawyer with the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA), says inquiries about finances account for the largest portion of questions her organization receives. CPLEA developed the plain-language Condo Law for Albertans website to help Albertans demystify the legal intricacies of condo purchasing and ownership.

Many homeowners look after their property with great care, staying up to date on maintenance and completing any repairs needed to keep their home in tip-top shape.

However, not everyone is so thorough, so when buying a home, it pays to keep your eyes open for any maintenance red flags that could indicate potentially expensive problems.

Whether old or new, a home is an investment worth protecting.

"The difference between a house the owner has paid attention to and one they have not can be amazing," said Mike Becker, a home inspector for Calgary and surrounding areas with Pillar to Post Home Inspectors.

Homeowners can maintain the value of their investment by monitoring these areas of the home: