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Purchasing your first home is a huge milestone in your life. Many people aspire to homeownership for years and years, and now you’ve finally made it. Of course, now you have to maintain and care for your home. Being a homeowner is like being a parent in some ways. You have to look out for your home and keep it safe. Preventive maintenance can save you lots of money in the long run as a homeowner. It’s also important to know how to fix small issues yourself so you don’t spend a fortune calling in the experts. So, as a little review, do you know how to do these common homeowner tasks?

Fix Your Running Toilet

After you flush your toilet, it should run for a few moments to refill, and then stop. If your toilet continues running, there may be an issue. Do you know how to fix your running toilet? If you do nothing, your water bill will skyrocket. In many cases, simply moving the pieces in the tank will allow the flap inside to shut properly.

Have You Ever Used Caulk?

Wood is a great home-building material that looks nice, but it can warp and move over time. You’re bound to see cracks and crevices form around your window frames as your home ages. Does that mean you need to replace the entire window? In many cases, using a little caulk to reseal door and window frames can close gaps and cracks and save you money on utilities.

Know Where Your Water Shutoff Valve Is

If your toilet is running (see item 1), and you need to stop the flow of water to the toilet, there is often a small shutoff valve on the hose connecting to the toilet that you can turn. This same kind of mechanic exists for your entire home. Every home is different, so it’s important to find your water shutoff valve before there’s an issue that would require using it. Look in the basement and any closes that are around the perimeter of the house, near the water meter.

Clean Your Refrigerator Coils

Your refrigerator is an essential piece of hardware around your home, and it’s one you want to preserve. You don’t want your refrigerator to break or wear prematurely, so you should be sure to clean the coils on the back or bottom side of the refrigerator. These coils are the heat exchange method by which your refrigerator stays cold, so keeping them clean (and free of pet hair) is the best way to keep your refrigerator running efficiently.

If You’re Excited to Become a Homeowner, Contact Bill Swanson

Owning a home takes work, but it’s incredibly rewarding. If you’re on your journey to becoming a homeowner and you’d like some help, reach out to Bill Swanson. Bill is a real estate professional with over 25 years of experience helping families buy and sell homes in the Omaha area. Begin your home search by contacting Bill Swanson in Omaha, NE at his office at 402-679-6566.