12 Skills That Every Homeowner Should Know

Being a homeowner requires you to stay on top of any repair issues that arise. Over the years, you will learn a variety of things when dealing with repairs you home has. Here are some of the skills you will need to acquire when trying to keep your residence in peak condition.

1. How to Fix a Running Toilet- One of the most used rooms in any home is the bathroom. Without a functional toilet, you and your family will find it hard to get through your day without a fair amount of discomfort. If your toilet starts to run, you will need to remove the tank and find out where the problem lies. Simply replacing a float can usually remedy this issue in a hurry.

2. Unclog a Drain- If the drains in your home are not emptying like they should, it is time to grab a plunger. In some cases a plunger will not do the trick and you will have to call in a plumber to snake the drain for you.

3. Operating Your Thermostat Correctly- In order to keep the inside of your home comfortable, you will need to learn how to operate your thermostat. Most professionals recommend putting the thermostat on 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the winter to save energy.

4. Putting Up Weather-stripping- When you feel drafts around your doors and windows, you will need to break out the weather-stripping. By putting a strip of this substance around your doors and windows, you will be able to reduce energy waste and keep your home comfortable.

5. Caulking Cracks- If weather-stripping will not fix the drafts around windows and doors, then you will need to get some caulk. Learning how to run a caulk gun is an essential part of reducing drafts.

6. Test Smoke Detectors- The first line of defense you have against fires are your smoke detectors. To ensure these detectors work properly, you will need to test them on a regular basis.

7. Know Where Your Main Water Shut Off Valve Is- In the event you are faced with a plumbing emergency involving a ruptured pipe, you will need to know where your main water cut off is. Knowing where this valve is can reduce the amount of water leaked into your home.

8. How to Find a Wall Stud- When trying to hang a heavier item on your wall, you will need the support that only wall studs can provide. Usually, your wall studs will be about 16 inches apart from each other.

9. Clean Your Refrigerator Coils- If the coil on your refrigerator gets coated in dust, it will make it very hard to achieve the cool temperatures you need. Unplugging the refrigerator and using a shop vacuum to clean the dirt off can save you a lot of money on refrigerator repairs.

10. Change Your HVAC Air Filter- Without the right amount of air flow, an HVAC unit will struggle to keep up with the demands of a home. The air filter in your HVAC unit will have to be changed on a monthly basis in order to avoid air flow issues.

11. Maintain a Garbage Disposal- One of the most helpful appliances in a home’s kitchen is the garbage disposal. When running the disposal, you will need to get into the habit of letting cold water run to help the disposal break down the food. By doing this, you will be able to keep your disposal in good working order.

12. Know Where Your Breaker Box Is- If your HVAC unit starts to make a weird noise, you will need to shut it down completely until help can arrive. In order to shut it down, you will need to know where your main breaker box is and which circuit operates this unit.

If you find yourself in need of some assistance with any of these jobs, be sure to contact the team at Hamilton Plumbing Heating A/C Rooter.