Being a homeowner can be extremely rewarding, but it is also more work, and often more expensive, than renting because you have to solve your home problems for yourself. The good news is, if you know the following things, it should make your life as a homeowner at least a little easier:
Crimes happen in the day
A lot of homeowners think they’re more likely to be burgled in the nighttime, but actually, these days, the vast majority of burglaries occur between 10 a.m and 5 in the afternoon, which means you need to check your windows and doors are secured and your security alarms are turned on during the day too.
Leaks are not to be ignored
water leaks can sometimes be so slight that you’d be forgiven for thinking they were no big deal, but a pervasive leak can cause corrosion which will cost you big in the long run. Even worse, if a leak is coming from your water tank, it’s only a matter of time before the dam bursts and your home becomes a flood site. Sure there are emergency plumbers – who you can read more about here – who can deal with the problem, but it’s best to sort those small leaks out as soon as they appear if you want to avoid a time-consuming and expensive disaster.
Changing the furnace filter saves you money
Changing the furnace filter is no one’s favorite job, but if you want to keep your furnace working, and working as efficiently as possible, it is the best thing you can do. Ideally, you should change your filter monthly for best results.
Shut the water off when you’re away
If you’re going away from your home for a prolonged period of time, perhaps on vacation, it’s smart to shut off the water at the valve before you leave. Doing so will prevent you from potentially having to deal with burst pipes and expensive flooding damage when you return. This is even more important in the winter when pipes can so easily freeze.
Squeeze-tube caulk is bad news
Squeeze tubes may seem like the convenient choice, but when it comes to creating even, tidy beads of caulk, they are a complete nightmare. Use a caulk gun, and these tips, for better results. See, caulking is easy after all.
Washers and dishwashers are great mold breeders
Perhaps unsurprisingly washers and dishwashers are great at breeding mold. The mix of water and bacteria that can be found within is exactly what bacteria thrive on,. That’s why you should always leave the doors open after using and wash regularly with baking soda and vinegar in the case of the washer, and a bleach solution in the case of the dishwasher.
Nails are often unnecessary
When it comes to hanging pictures and other stuff on the walls, nails may seem like the natural choice, but they can cause permanent damage to the plastering, and actually, they are often unnecessary. Picture hanging strips work just as well without leaving holes in the walls when you’re done.
I hope this helps you to be a slightly better homeowner.
