Welp MagazineAre you a brand-new homeowner excited to finally have a house of your own? If so, congratulations! Owning a home is an exciting step to take in life. Yet with great power comes great responsibility. Now that you’re an official homeowner, the onus lies on you whenever something goes wrong.
Unless you want to go broke hiring maintenance services every time a lightbulb burns out, you’ll need a few handy skills. Otherwise, you’ll wind up staring at a running toilet like a deer in headlights. Here are some common maintenance tips every homeowner should know.
Cleaning Out the Gutters
You’ll need to clean your gutters at least twice a year (and preferably more) to keep them functional. If you let things go for too long, you risk pests invading your home. Ice dams can also form in your gutters during the winter months if you do not maintain them year-round.
To get the job done, you’ll need a ladder and some gloves. If you have a leaf blower or shop-vac, you can use them too for better efficiency.
Stopping a Running Toilet
You flushed your toilet hours ago, yet it’s still running like a waterfall. Unless you want your water bill to skyrocket, you need to put a stop to it immediately. Don’t panic, as fixing a running toilet is very easy.
All you need to do is lift the top of the toilet tank and pull on the flush valve. If that doesn’t fix it, something more serious could be going on. Turn off the water supply to your toilet and call a plumber for an inspection.
Unclogging a Sink
Lastly, you don’t want to bother the plumber whenever you have a clogged sink. Nine times out of 10, your problem will be a blocked P-trap—the U-shaped pipe underneath your sink. Place a bucket underneath it and unscrew the tube to release the blockage.
Check on the P-trap a few weeks later to ensure the issue is resolved. Some backup can originate from hard water problems, which usually require the expertise of a professional.
By using these common maintenance tips every homeowner should know, you’ll save money on monthly costs and plumber bills. Master these simple tasks, and you’ll soon be a home maintenance wizard.
