Home ownership is a beautiful thing. Your home is yours to do as you please. But that also means there’s no landlord to call when repairs need to be made. And when it comes to heater repair, the expensive repairs usually happen when winter weather hits its coldest spells, usually right after the holidays when money is tight.

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Hey, we’ve all been there. In fact, a 2013 study from the National Center for Healthy Housing found that 35 million metropolitan homes in the US, nearly 40 percent, had one or more safety hazards. Water leaks were most common (leading to mold problems), followed by mice. Nearly 5 percent of homes had roofing problems and foundation problems, a big cause of radon gas poisoning.

What’s the best way to deal with emergency plumbing and heater repairs on a tight budget? Fortunately, US News and World Report has some great advice. They recommend you apply for a loan. You might even be eligible for a grant. They also suggest you can refinance your home.