It’s obvious that being a homeowner is a dream come true. You have your own place, you don’t pay rent anymore, you can do whatever you want, you can build that walk-in closet that you have always wanted and so many other things.

Even though there are many things that are great when you have a place of your own, there are some things that can be frustrating and even expensive, if you don’t know how to manage them.

But don’t worry, we are here to tell you everything you need to know because there are things that every homeowner should be aware of! Without further ado, here are 10 indispensable tips and tricks that help you save some money, and also solve any issues that may come up along the way.

1. A leaking water heater is no good 

 Water heaters are an important device that everyone should have in their homes, but sometimes, these things can get a little bit out of control. Usually, there is a leakage from the drain valve or from the relief valve. There is no need to worry because these things can easily be fixed.

However, if there is a problem and the tank is the source of the leaking, then yes, you are in trouble. That is because there is a thin layer of glass that serves as a coat for the inside of the tank. Sooner or later, that glass will begin to break, and it has consequences: the steel will rust away, and a puddle will form.

If you leave the problem like that, the tank will burst eventually, which will result in an immediate flood. Even though it might take a while for a leak to become a flood, such as a few days or even a few months, it is better that you don’t take any chances.

You have to make sure that you are safe all the time, so if you have troubles with your water heater, now is the moment to replace it, before letting it become a leaking time bomb!

2. Squeeze-tube caulk might not be the best

Another thing that every homeowner should know is the fact that a squeeze-tube caulk can easily cause trouble. Even though this item is really easy to use if you want to lay a precise bead of caulk, you might want to reach for the caulk gun.

If you are using a squeeze-tube, you might find it difficult to create a constant flow. And you know what that means, don’t you? It’s the perfect recipe for a bumpy and uneven bead.

3. What does R-value mean?

R-value is actually a unit that helps determine the resistance to heat flow. It is a method that can be used to show the capacity of the insulation to put an end to the heat from moving through it.

If the number is high, you are good, because the bigger the number, the better. Insulation is defined by the total R-value. There are two factors that are responsible for ruling that specific number: the level of thickness that the insulation has and also the quality of the material.

4. Don’t trust what the breaker panel labels are telling you!

If you open your electric panel and you look inside of it, you will see that there is a list or a label that is telling you every circuit that is being controlled by certain breakers.

We admit the fact that these labels are really good instructors, however, they are not always accurate. Think of old houses that have been put through several remodeling and redecorating jobs.

For instance, you can find an outlet in a room that might not be part of the same circuit as the other outlets in the same room. Besides that, you might not be able to find this particular outlet in the panel at all!

If you can’t imagine something like this, let us refresh your memory! If you’ve seen “Friends”, you might remember the episode when Monica and Rachel lost a bet with Joey and Chandler and they had to switch up their apartments.

The place where the girls moved in, has a light switch that they didn’t know how to use. She looked on the panel, she looked everywhere, but she couldn’t find it. In the end, it turned out that the light switch was actually something similar to the remote control from the TV in their former apartment.

This is something that can happen to you as well because there is a possibility that almost any other circuit in your home might be connected to that orphan outlet. Wires from multiple circuits may even be found in the same junction box in some situations. The bottom line: Before doing any electrical work, make sure the power is turned off, and you’re working with a voltage detector.

5. Your galvanized pipes can get plugged

If your property has galvanized steel pipes and your faucets have limited water flow, the pipes are most likely the cause. Mineral accumulation is common in galvanized pipes, which can suffocate the water flow. The situation described here isn’t unique, because we are sure that any good plumber has seen far worse.

The optimum remedy is to replace all of the water supply pipes. However, repairing exposed horizontal parts will usually improve flow significantly. These precautions will help keep your pipes from becoming clogged.

We told you that these are a few tips every homeowner should know!

6. Verify and replace the batteries from your smoke detectors

Everyone should know that smoke detectors should be checked out monthly and the batteries replaced once a year, so making this part of your usual spring maintenance routine sounds like a good idea.

You don’t have to do that much either, you only have to press the ‘test’ button to see if the unit chirps before replacing the batteries. You should change the battery (or backup battery, if it’s a hardwired model) and re-test it, even if it works.

If the alarm fails the test, it should be replaced right away. Even if it passes the chirp test, smoke detectors have a 10-year lifespan, so you should look for a”replace by” sticker or date embossed on the inside of the unit to see if it needs to be replaced.

If you are not able to locate a date, replace it as soon as possible. Make a note of the “installed” date on the inner cover of the new detectors using a piece of masking tape.

7. Make your own archive under the sink 

We know that everyone is tempted to hide their manuals and spare items that come with the fixtures from your bathroom or your kitchen, but you should definitely not do that! You will lose a lot of time just looking around for them, so instead of doing that, put them in a good place from the beginning!

Take your manuals and your spare parts and put them into zip-lock bags. This way, you will see them and they will be protected from dust and other nasty things. You can hang those bags on hooks that you can put on the back of the walls of your cabinets.

8. DIY gutter inspector 

This is definitely one of our favorites and we believe that every single person who is a homeowner should know about it! Nobody likes it when it’s time to clean the gutters of their houses, but we came up with an idea that you are going to enjoy!

Instead of grabbing a ladder and climbing on it to see if your gutter should be cleaned out, you can simply attach a small mirror to the end of a PVC pipe and turn it at a 60-degree angle, so you can see the gutters in the mirror.

If you can’t imagine something like this, think about it as a visit to the dentist, when they look in your mouth with the help of a little mirror. Now it’s starting to make sense, isn’t it?

TAKEAWAY 

There you have it: 8 things that every homeowner should know! What do you think about these tips? Did you find them useful or not? If you have any other ones we’ve missed, feel free to add them in the comments section down below, because we are curious to know!

If you liked reading this article, make sure to check out this one as well: 8 Biggest Decorating Mistakes You’re Making Without Realizing It! We are sure that you are going to love it!