Few things are as thrilling as owning your own home. However, with homeownership comes obligations, including home maintenance. You can outsource these obligations, or you can handle them yourself. Regardless of your general approach, there are a few things you should know how to do to keep your home running smoothly.
Your home has a main water valve. Turning off the water in this single location shuts off water to the entire house. When there is an emergency, knowing where this valve is and how to operate it is critical. Water damage is one of the leading causes of home damage. Repair can be costly. Taking a few moments now to locate the valve could save you money along with hours of heartache as you plan for (and pay for) replacing damaged walls, floors, and household goods ruined by an unexpected and prolonged leak.
A running toilet wastes water and increases your water bill immensely. Happily, replacing the “guts” of a toilet is not that difficult. For around $20, you can purchase the replacement parts you need. The replacement will take less than 20 minutes. Replacing your canister type dual flush valve is a low-cost fix you can do yourself.
Changing your air filters is something you probably never thought about when you are renting. As a homeowner, you should replace your air filters on a regular basis. If you have just moved into new construction, change your air filters every three weeks for a few months to help clear the excess drywall dust from the air. If you have allergies or pets, change your filter every 60 days. Otherwise, change filters once every three months. Consider purchasing your filters from a delivery service and set up an auto-fill order so the filters are delivered to your door on the schedule that works for you. That way, you will never forget when it is time to replace the filter.
The Joys of Homeownership
Owning your own home brings joy – and responsibility. If you are thinking of purchasing your first home, or if you are considering moving to a new home, let us help. We have over 35 years of experience helping people start new chapters of their lives. We can help you find the home of your dreams.
