Homeowners have a lot more freedom than renters, but with that freedom comes a lot more responsibility. Renters can call their property manager when their toilet won't stop running or there's a leak in the roof. Homeowners, on the other hand, need to deal with the problem themselves or hire someone to take care of it for them. Below are six home maintenance skills every homeowner should know.
1. How to Shut Off Your Water
Water can cause major damage in a home, and finding a flooded floor means you need to be able to shut off the water quickly. Knowing where your main shut-off valve is can save you thousands of dollars in damage. You can ask a plumber or your home inspector to help you locate the main water valve in your home. It's generally at ground level and near your water meter. It's also possible to shut off your water from the outside water meter, but the valve might require specific tools to turn it.
2. How to Unclog a Drain
Unclogging a drain using a small plunger and a drain snake is a much better option than using pricey chemicals that are harsh. Once you've removed the clog manually, try combining a cup of baking soda in the drain, then adding four cups of boiling water, and finishing with a cup of vinegar. This natural chemical reaction will keep your drain smelling fresh and loosen up leftover debris from the clog.
3. How to Turn Off Your Gas
The first step to take when you smell gas or think there's a gas problem is to call your gas company and then immediately leave your home. Knowing how to turn off the gas yourself just in case you need to is very important. The shut-off valve is usually located outside of your home, near the water meter and requires an adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench to turn the valve. To turn off the gas, turn the valve head so it is perpendicular to the pipe. Once you have done this, do not turn the gas back on until a professional can assess the problem.
4. How to Find a Wall Stud
Knowing how to find a wall stuff can save you time and money when you're looking to put up shelves, hang decor, or install a TV mount. Instead of hiring a professional, consider purchasing a stud finder from a store likes Lowe's or Home Depot to locate the boards behind your wall. Generally, studs are spaced 16 or 24 inches apart. If you start at a corner, you can expect to hit a stud every 16 or 24 inches from the initial corner stud.
5. How to Change Your Air Filters
Having good air quality in your home is a matter of keeping up with changing your air filters. If your home seems dusty or your energy bills are high, have a look at your air filters. They probably need to be changed! If you have pets or allergies, you should change your filters every 30 to 90 days. If you don't have pets or allergies, it's recommended to change them every three to six months. You can find the size of the air filters you need by looking at the old one. There are even services that will automatically deliver air filters to your home on a pre-determined schedule so you never forget.
6. How to Reset Your Circuit Breaker
Homes that were built after 1960 usually have an electrical panel filled with circuit breakers, which provide power to appliances and light every room in your home. When a circuit is overloaded, the designated breaker trips, which shuts off the power to that area of the home. If you're having problems with an outlet in a specific room, first check if the outlet has a reset button, which is common for grounded outlets, which are generally located in bathrooms and kitchens because of their proximity to water.
f that doesn't work, have a look at your circuit breaker box and see if it has tripped and you need to reset the breaker. If you haven't already, make sure you know which switches control which rooms in your home and that they are properly labeled. Open the panel cover and look for the breaker that's in the off position and flip it back on. If this doesn't solve the problem, turn each breaker off and on again.
f that doesn't work, have a look at your circuit breaker box and see if it has tripped and you need to reset the breaker. If you haven't already, make sure you know which switches control which rooms in your home and that they are properly labeled. Open the panel cover and look for the breaker that's in the off position and flip it back on. If this doesn't solve the problem, turn each breaker off and on again.
