Most homeowners understand the risk that comes with buying a house. Something that could work fine one day could break the next. A fully-functioning roof could crumble under the weight of a tree branch, or your washer and dryer could break as soon as you start a load of laundry. However, many breaks are preventable with the right maintenance. Check out the infographic below to learn about the three costliest home repairs and how you can avoid needing them.

The worst thing that can happen to your home is water damage. Flooding can ruin your hardwood floors and carpets and even force you to replace your furniture. Even small drops of water can build up, causing black mold that’s hard to get rid of and rotting wood to the point of replacement. In fact, mold elimination can cost almost $3,500, but it costs only $1,200 for preventative maintenance. Oftentimes, homeowners face a saga against water and constantly battle to keep it out of their homes. This graphic breaks down common causes of water damage and the costs required to fix it.

Along with water damage, most homeowners work to keep their HVAC systems running. They call specialist for repairs the minute something is wrong with the air conditioning in the summer or heat in the winter. Not only are these emergency calls expensive, but the cost of replacing your unit can cost more than $7,000. When you consider that expense, setting up regular maintenance checks doesn’t seem so bad. Homeownership doesn’t have to be expensive as long as you invest in preventative measures. Use this guide to learn how you can keep your home functioning well for years to come.