Being a homeowner has its rewards. At the same time, it’s up to you to figure out what needs to be done to maintain the home. You will be a more confident homeowner if you have a general idea of where to focus your efforts and what to look out for. Here are five things every homeowner should know to take care of their property.
What Every Homeowner Should Know: The Basics
Let’s start with some of the basic things around a typical home that a homeowner should be paying attention to regularly. Your main list of maintenance priorities around your home should include:
• Your roof
• Exterior landscaping elements
• Your plumbing and water-based appliances
• Your home’s heating and cooling system
Here are five specific things every homeowner should know.
Every Homeowner Should Know to Not Ignore Water Heater Leaks
The relief valve on a traditional water heater may leak if the valve needs to be replaced, but this is an easy fix. A leak coming from the tank itself is more serious. Even tankless water heaters may leak around connections and water lines. No matter what kind of water heater you have in your home, promptly take care of any leaks.
More Burglaries Take Place During the Day
Most people think of burglary as something that tends to happen at night. The reality that every homeowner should know is that most of these crimes take place during the day, usually between the hours of 10 in the morning and 5 in the evening.
If you normally leave your home during the day, give yourself some added peace of mind by installing a home security system and making sure windows, doors, and garages are locked.
Change Your HVAC System Filter Monthly
A dirty filter affects your indoor air quality and makes your HVAC system work harder than it needs to. This ultimately contributes to unnecessary wear-and-tear on various parts of your heating and cooling system.
A good rule of thumb with your filter is to change it monthly. You’ll be rewarded with a more efficient HVAC system, lower utility bills, and fewer issues with allergies, respiratory ailments, and similar health issues.
Mitigate Pest Issues
Another thing every homeowner should know is that there are some easy and affordable ways to address issues with pests. Make sure any possible entry points around doors and windows are properly caulked and weather-stripped. Properly dispose of trash and get into the habit of regularly cleaning common pest areas like kitchens, dining rooms, and pantries.
Every Homeowner Should Know Where the Property Lines Are
Every homeowner should know where their property line begins and ends. Iron stakes are used to mark property lines in many communities. However, it’s best to check with your local municipality to be sure. They can give you a plot plan that clearly shows where your property line is located. It’s important to have this information in the event there are any disputes with a neighbor involving trees, fences, and other issues that could get contentious.
There are some other essentials every homeowner should know in addition to what has already been mentioned here. It’s equally important, for instance, to shut your water off if you’ll be away on vacation for an extended period. Also, make sure your home’s insulation has an adequate R-value and that you regularly check your shingles for signs of wear and granule loss.
Finally, consider having a full home inspection completed periodically so any potential problems can be identified and dealt with before they become major issues.
Realistic Home Inspection Services offers home inspections to the greater Milwaukee area. Contact us to schedule our services.