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Buying your first home is quite the accomplishment. You should be proud of yourself. This is definitely an exciting milestone. There are also a lot of responsibilities that come with being a homeowner, and they can be daunting, even to those who’ve owned homes in the past. To get you started on the right path, take a look at these tips to know as a responsible homeowner. You’ll feel more confident as you move forward once you understand the basics.
Shut Off the Main Water Line
In a plumbing emergency, you may find yourself panicking. Water will often spray all over the place or begin to flood the floor beneath your feet. There’s no need to panic if you know how to turn off the main water line. This step will stop the water flow and allow you to deal with the problem when you have a calm head. You just have to know where this shutoff valve is. In many cases, you may be lucky enough to have a valve in your basement where the water line enters the home. If you don’t, you’ll need to head outside. The water meter might be found on the side of your house or beneath a concrete cover near the street.
You can easily learn to shut the main water line off on your own. From there, it’s important to understand that there are some plumbing tasks a novice will not want to take on. Extensive leakage repair, pipe repair, water heater installation and residential septic tank cleaning are jobs to leave to the professionals.
Change AC and Furnace Filters
Another simple job is to change the filters in your heating and cooling unit. You should do this at least once every few months in order to keep things running their best. Lint and other debris builds up in the filter, which can keep the unit’s parts from working efficiently. Failing to change your filters can lead to expensive repairs in the future. Your system’s manual will tell you how to do it and which size replacement filters you will need.
Clean the AC Drain Line
In order to prevent water damage inside your home, you’ll need to clean your central air conditioning’s drain line from time to time. This is one of those easily forgotten tasks every homeowner should know how to do. If you see water pooling near your outside unit, this could be condensation due to a clogged line. It can usually be cleaned out by pouring bleach in the drain line’s access opening or using a vacuum to unclog it.
Install Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are relatively inexpensive devices, and they have the potential to save you and your family’s lives. You should definitely have an adequate number of them in your home. Installing them is simple. Place them near your bedrooms, and be sure there is one located on each floor of your home.
Unclog a Drain
Unclogging a drain in a bathroom or kitchen sink should be even easier. However, you’ll need to have the right tools on hand. A plunger should do for most clogs. If it’s a stubborn one, you may need to use the snake to take care of it. It’s best not to use chemical drain cleaners if possible because they can do damage to your plumbing system. There are some natural products that can be used to help clear drains.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Leaves, branches and other debris can build up in your gutters and downspouts. When this happens, water cannot pass through easily in order to be diverted away from the house. Clogged gutters and downspouts cause water to run into the eaves. You could end up with expensive roof, siding or foundation damage. Take time every couple months to check your gutters and downspouts for buildup. You can buy downspout extenders at any hardware store if the water is not being properly directed far enough away from your foundation.
Final Thoughts
Keep these tips in mind as you begin your journey as a new homeowner. You can add to these tasks over time in order to feel even more secure in your household management knowledge.
