Buying or building a home is a major life milestone. One thing many people struggle with, especially as a first-time homeowner, is how much upkeep there is. House’s require regular maintenance. While you can outsource this, that can get costly and there will still be times where you must do something yourself. So here are some common house maintenance skills every homeowner should master!
Hanging Items on Wall
One of the first things you’ll want to do when you move into your new home is hang-up artwork and pictures. After all, that’s what really takes it from a house to a home. It’s important that you know how to properly hang items on a wall though, which means learning how to find a wall stud and what items to use.
Cleaning Gutters
Cleaning the gutters is never fun, but it’s crucial to keeping your home safe. Clogged gutters not only can break; they also won’t work properly! Gutters are supposed to direct water away from your home. If they’re not clean water can end up pooling against your foundation which can cause major issues.
Resetting Circuit Breaker
Before you move anything into your home, take a quick walk around and find the circuit breaker. This is the electrical hub of your home. If you ever blow a fuse or have your power go out in a storm, you’ll need to know how to reset the circuit breaker. Luckily this is extremely easy to learn!
Unclogging Drains & Toilet
Clogged sinks and toilets are never fun, but they are common. Instead of calling a plumber every time try learning some basic tips to help you unclog them first. For a toilet, a plunger or snake works great. For sinks sometimes all your need is the right chemicals.
Stopping a Leaky Faucet
The dripping of a leaky faucet can drive anyone crazy. While you can call a plumber, sometimes it’s a super simple fix you can do yourself, which can save you tons. Learn some basic tips and tricks to try before you call in the pros.
Shutting Off Water Supply
If you ever get a water leak or have a busted pipe, you’ll want to turn off your water as quickly as possible to avoid damage. When you search for the circuit breaker also take note of where the water supply shutoff valve is. Some homes have more than one for different areas so find them all. If you have a water heater in your house you should also get to know it.
Mowing Lawn & Landscaping
Curb appeal is huge, so make sure you’re taking care of the outside of your home as well as the inside. You may want to hire a professional landscaper to take care of lawn maintenance, but you should know how to do it yourself as well- Things like mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, trimming bushes, and more.
Changing Air Filters
Your HVAC system is equipped with filters that help weed out dust and particles in the air. If you notice your air is dusty and musty it probably means it’s time to change your filter. This is super basic to do, the trick is remembering to do it regularly. You should also call in a professional to clean and run maintenance on it every now and then.
Fixing Cracks, Dings & Caulking
Even if you’re extremely careful, cracks and dings are bound to happen. Once you know how to fix these small things like wall dings or cracks your home will always look brand new. Don’t forget to do some caulking too, which helps keep water from seeping into the walls.
Turning Off Gas
If your home comes equipped with gas you absolutely need to know how to turn it on and off. You should also learn the signs of a gas leak and what to do. An unnoticed or untreated gas leak can be fatal, so it’s extremely important you know what to do.
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