8 Essential Skills Every Homeowner Needs

Changing a Plug

Finding a plug in your home that is damaged is a common but inconvenient occurrence in most homes, and if you don’t know how to change a plug then you could find yourself throwing away electrical items that are still in great working order. Even though changing a plug is a super easy task, a staggering 67 percent of people wouldn’t know how to do the job by themselves.

Learning how to change a plug means you can quickly and safely solve any plug damage in your home yourself, without having to call in a professional.

Budgeting

Becoming a homeowner is an exciting experience that truly gives you the ultimate freedom and independence most people dream of. However, it does not come for free and you will have to be extremely good at budgeting your money if you want to be able to afford your own home.

When it comes to paying for your home, it isn’t just the cost of buying a house. It is also about having the money to pay your bills and mortgage repayments each month. Therefore, you will have to budget and be more conscious about the money you spend than you did before becoming a homeowner.

Our top budgeting tips include making spreadsheets of all your financial incomings and outgoings so that you can ensure that you always have the money you need to cover your bills. Failure to do this could lead to you losing your home. So, be sure that you have the budgeting skills required to become a homeowner.

Adjust Water Temperature

As a homeowner, there will come a time where you are required to adjust the water temperature in your home. Most water heaters are typically set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit at the point of manufacturing, but for most households, the temperature shouldn’t need to be much warmer than 120 degrees. Therefore, it is important that you know how to adjust the water temperature in your home to prevent scalding and reduce any damage to the water heater and your home’s pipes.

You may also find that by adjusting the water temperature throughout the year, you could save money on your monthly bill. Energy companies predict that for every 10 degrees that you turn down on your temperature could save you up to $30 on each monthly bill.

Know Your HVAC System

Throughout the year, you will rely on your HVAC system for different purposes, but whether you are feeling the heat in summer or need some warmth in winter, it is important that you know how your air conditioning functions. Your HVAC system is responsible for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for your home. So, by knowing how to work your system, you can keep your home at an appropriate temperature and remain comfortable.

It is also useful to have the skills needed to make your own repairs to your HVAC system so that you don’t always have to wait for the professionals to come and fix it for you. McCombs Supply Co Inc can provide you with any discount HVAC and appliance parts you might need to make your own reparations. By sourcing your parts from McCombs Supply Co Inc, you can fix your HVAC system yourself without it costing you a fortune.

Cleaning Skills

While being a homeowner means that you are not only responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the outside of your house, but also the interior of your home. After a long day at work, the last thing that you can feel like doing is vacuuming and dusting your house, but it can make your home a much more enjoyable place to live.

Therefore, it is important that you have an essential set of cleaning skills to help you look after your home. Remember that by doing a small amount of cleaning on a regular basis it is easier to keep on top of the housework chores. 

Fixing a Running Toilet

Even though it can be tempting to ignore some of the damages and repairs that need fixing in your home, it can be dangerous to not deal with a running toilet. Not only can a running toilet be very annoying, but it is also a huge waste of water that could cost you a lot more money when your next water bill comes in.

There are many different reasons why your toilet could be running, but the most common repairs include issues with the chain, float, or the flapper. However, if you know how, you may be able to quickly fix your own toilet yourself.

Cleaning Your Gutters

As the summer months come to an end and winter is on its way, it is important that you take the time to clear out your gutters to remove any blockages. Clogged gutters can cause you serious problems in your home and if they aren’t cleaned out regularly, they can start to rot and will need replacing entirely.

Cleaning the gutters is not as difficult as it may sound and if you are able to climb a ladder, you can wear gloves and a mask to clear any leaves, wood, and trash that can block up your gutters. You can hire the professionals to come and do it for you but being able to do it yourself can save you a lot of time and money.

Maintaining Appliances

While looking after your household appliances may not sound like a particular skill, it can make all the difference when it comes to how long your appliances will last. The better you look after your appliances, such as your refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher the longer you can extend their life span. All of your household appliances should come with instruction manuals which will make it clear how to correctly use it, and how to maintain it.

For example, we recommend that you take the time to regularly clean your oven. As even though it is a tiresome and boring chore, you will find that it helps your oven to stay in a good working order and will save you having to spend money on a new one any time soon.

While being lucky enough to become a homeowner is one of the greatest achievements for many people, it is important that you are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of your huge investment. Therefore, by having these essential skills, you will find looking after your home much less stressful and more enjoyable.