Maintaining Your New Home

After purchasing a new home, responsibilities emerge. Home maintenance can be rewarding and easy when armed with proper tools and an adequate understanding of issues that commonly arise. Be aware of any obstacles you might encounter in your new home and how to address each one.

Common Home Maintenance Tasks

Windows that stick, creaking floors, noisy radiators and growing mold are only a few problems that your home may be plagued with. According to the Better Homes and Gardens, you should conduct a monthly home-check to ensure everything is in tip-top shape. Performing these checks and completing associated tasks will help increase the lifespan of your home and help keep down expensive malfunctions.

Installing filters for your air conditioner, heater, water-purification and softener, checking air intakes for blockage, testing alarms and detectors, and cleaning various features in your home are among some of the maintenance tasks you should complete each month.

In addition, your home may require upgrades to appliances. Repairs and general improvements to your house are tasks familiar to the average U.S.home. Most upkeep can be completed by anyone by using proper tools and a little background knowledge. HousingLogic also indicated that catching issues with your home early on can help cut down the risk of more expensive problems arising.

Some common problems you might experience in your home include:

• Flickering Lights
• Loud Noises After Turning Off Your Water
• Leaky Toilet
• Odorous Water
• Drafts
• Ice Dams
• Peeling Paint
• Dry Air Indoors
• High Energy Bills

Keep a Well-Supplied Toolbox

The National Association of Realtors noted the increased responsibility associated with owning a home. You are the primary caretaker of your residence and properly maintaining the property is simple with the correct tools.

As you become more familiar with your unique home and its needs, your tool collection may grow, according to This Old House, but every new homeowner starts off with a more basic collection.

When deciding what to include in a toolbox, first take inventory of any items you already own and note the sizes in case you need a different one. After listing what you do have, consider what you need. If your home has a pool, fireplace or other feature, you may need to invest in tools designed for those specific maintenance needs.

Some general items any homeowner would benefit from owning include:

• Hammer
• Drill
• Flashlight or Head Lamp
• Tape Measurer
• Pliers
• Screwdrivers
• Variety of Tapes
• Utility Knife
• Adjustable Wrenches
• Stud Finder
• Hardware: Nuts and Bolts

Speak with a professional at your local hardware store if you are not sure about which brand or type of tool to purchase. He or she can serve as a great resource.

Projects to Take On Seasonally

Some projects are only required during certain times of the year. The Art of Manliness noted that checking for ice dams, ensuring your home is well-insulated and tightening all screws and bolts in the home are a few good tasks to take on during the winter.

Know what tasks you should complete for each season and create a list for yourself. Organize your time to best perform the jobs necessary.

How to Accommodate Larger Remodeling Projects

If you embark on a remodeling project in your home, your tool requirements may be a bit more intense. Different projects might require certain tools that another may never require. For example, a sledgehammer might be helpful if you are taking out an interior wall, but it might not be as useful in another situation.

Research projects before you embark on them to ensure you are familiar with the procedures and required tools to complete the task well. Sometimes costs can add up for extra tools. Ask a neighbor or loved one if you can borrow certain tools to avoid investing in a device you will only use once. Also check in with your local hardware store and see if they offer a renting option for the tools they offer.