Homeowner's Guide To Homeownership

By James Casamento

Purchasing a home is one of the happiest days of your life until you realize that you're responsible for everything associated with your home. Do you know everything that is required of homeownership? This 12 step guide was created to inform every homeowner of the various topics that goes into keeping your family safe in a well maintained home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483503387

Book preview

Maintenance

INTRODUCTION

I’m sure that you’re proud of your home and want to keep it functioning properly and looking as clean and appealing as possible. No matter how hard we try, we know that there’s always something that needs to be done around the house. I’m also sure that most of us are not even aware of all of the things that you should be doing around your home to keep it safe, operating efficiently, and ensuring that it is properly maintained. You make sure that your car is tuned up and the oil changed every 3,000 miles, or so. Did you know that your home needs to be tuned up and preventive maintenance measures need to be taken in order to keep it operating at peak performance while making your home as trouble-free as possible?

The purpose of writing this book was to educate every homeowner of the various items that they must be aware of when buying a home. I’ve tried to include the most important topics into this book to make it easier for you to understand exactly what it takes to become a responsible property owner. This book could be used by someone that is considering purchasing a home, a new homeowner, or someone that has owned his or her home for a while…there is always something new to learn. This is a comprehensive book that covers everything from emergency preparedness, preventive maintenance, maintenance checklists, cleaning strategies, and money saving tips. I hope that you’ll find it useful and informative as you go through all of the various steps to making your home safe, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing.

A well maintained home will;

Retain or add value to your property.

Usually sells quicker and for a high price.

Be a more comfortable living space.

Save you money because all major components are running properly.

Be a safer living environment for you and your family.

Minimizes unexpected repair work and expense.

Minimize the chance of minor issues becoming major expenses.

Be more organized.

A major portion of this book discusses preparedness along with proactive and preventive maintenance. Tasks like cleaning roofs and gutters, cleaning rugs, oiling moving parts, adjusting and tightening hardware, or inspecting spaces for abnormalities are all preventive maintenance tasks. You won’t find detailed how-to fix or repair information in these pages. Nor will you find information about renovations or contracting a major project. The purpose here is to give you the basic knowledge to address all of the things that go into owning a home and keeping it safe, secure, organized, and efficient.

STEP 1

Emergency Phone Numbers: Use the word processing application on your computer to construct a list of phone numbers of first responders, utilities, transportation, and other numbers that you frequently use. Once you’ve gathered all of this information you’ll want to post a copy of this list near your home phone so that members of your family, your babysitter, house sitter, or anyone else will have access to these numbers in the event of an emergency. It’s important to fill-out this page even though some of the numbers are stored in your cell phone. Not everyone in your home has access to your phone and you’re not always at the house with your cell phone when an emergency arises. As a matter of fact, make sure that all of the phone numbers listed on this page are backed up and stored on your computer, and everyone that has a cell phone in you home has them stored in their contact list.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

POLICE______________________________________________________

FIRE_________________________________________________________

NON-EMERGENCY FIRE AND POLICE__________________________

AMBULANCE________________________________________________

POISON CONTROL CENTER__________________________________

GAS COMPANY______________________________________________

ELECTRIC COMPANY__________________________________________

ELECTRIC UTILITY____________________________________________

ELECTRICAL OUTAGES_________________________________________

WATER AND SEWER___________________________________________

HOSPITAL____________________________________________________

PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN___________________________________

SECURITY SYSTEM MONITORING COMPANY___________________

SECURITY SYSTEM PASSCODE________________________________

PLUMBER___________________________________________________

HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING___________________________

ELECTRICIAN_______________________________________________

EXTERMINATOR_____________________________________________

ROOFER____________________________________________________

EMERGENCY FAMILY MEMBER _____________________________

NEIGHBOR_________________________________________________

OTHER____________________________________________________

STEP 2

Preferred Vendors: Simply copy the following page on your computers’ word processor and fill in the information with the service providers that you use at your home. Print out a copy of this page when you’re done and attach it to your emergency contact list for easy reference by anyone in your home. You’ll be able to list company names, phone numbers, addresses, websites, and any other notes about each service provider. This will eliminate any questions that you or someone else may have in the future when contacted them. You may handle all of the maintenance in your home and call vendors when they’re needed. But if you are traveling and your husband or wife is home in need of a vendor and are unable to contact you for the information, they’ll simply be able to refer to this page and get the information that they need.

Preferred Vendors

Company Name________________________________________________

Type of Service________________________________________________

Contact Person ________________________________________________

Phone # ______________________________________________________

Fax # ________________________________________________________

Email Address_________________________________________________

Website ______________________________________________________

Special Notes or Instructions

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Company Name________________________________________________

Type of Service________________________________________________

Contact Person ________________________________________________

Phone # ______________________________________________________

Fax # ________________________________________________________

Email Address________________________________________________

Website _____________________________________________________

Special Notes or Instructions

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Company Name________________________________________________

Type of Service________________________________________________

Contact Person ________________________________________________

Phone # ______________________________________________________

Fax # ________________________________________________________

Email Address________________________________________________

Website ______________________________________________________

Special Notes or Instructions

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Company Name________________________________________________

Type of Service________________________________________________

Contact Person ________________________________________________

Phone # ______________________________________________________

Fax # ________________________________________________________

Email Address________________________________________________

Website _____________________________________________________

Special Notes or Instructions

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Step 3

A key component to owning a home is to understand the importance of conserving natural resources. The following list contains suggestions that all of us can accomplish by simply changing some of our lifestyle habits.

Money Saving Tips on Utility Bills

-Open your curtains and blinds during the daytime on your windows in the winter to allow the sunshine to help heat your home. Close the blinds in the evening to help conserve heat.

-Close the curtains and blinds during the daytime in the summer to help keep your home cool. Sunlight will naturally heat up your home, as well as, make your air-conditioning unit work harder.

-Remove window air-conditioning units in the winter to prevent cold air and drafts from seeping around the unit and into your home.

-Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan blades in the winter and summer. The air should be forced down in the summer and upward in the winter. Remember that heat naturally rises.

-Only wash and dry full loads of clothing.

-Wash all clothes in cold water unless they are badly stained. Always set the rinse cycle to cold water.

-Only wash full loads in the dishwasher.

-Set the dishwasher drying cycle to Air Dry and avoid using the electric heating component if possible.

-Use exhaust fans as seldom as possible. They can remove all of the heated or cooled air in your home in less than one hour.

-Change your air conditioning/furnace filter every month. It’s probably better to replace them every month with a cheap filter then it is to use an expensive filter and only change it every 3-4 months.

-Most microwaves use 60% less energy to reheat food then it does to use the stovetop.

-Vacuum or clean your refrigerator coils. They are usually located behind or under the unit. Clean coils will allow the refrigerator to use less power and run more efficiently.

-Refrigerators need to have good air flow around them in order for the cooling system to work efficiently.

-Turn off your office equipment, appliances, and electronics when they are not being used. You may have to unplug them to save energy. Many appliances use power even if you turn the power button off. Many of these devices continue to consume energy because they are manufactured to operate clocks or remote controls. You’ll begin to save energy even if you unplug these appliances when you’re away for a long weekend or on vacation.

-You heard it a thousand times but turn off the lights when you leave a room.

-Run your ceiling fans and portable fans in the summer to move air. You should be able to raise your thermostat a degree or two since the breeze created by the fans will help keep you cool.

-Plants and trees in your yard can observe sunlight and heat before it reaches your home. This will help keep your home naturally cooler.

-Purchase energy efficient appliances whenever you need to replace any of these items.

-Close the chimney flue in the summertime. An open flue allows heat to enter your home and the cool air to escape.

-Close the chimney flue in the wintertime when you aren’t burning a fire.

-Switch to LED or fluorescent light bulbs when you are replacing burned out incandescent bulbs.

-Consider upgrading the insulation in your attic if you live in an older home. Almost every home can benefit from additional insulation or weather stripping.

Money Saving Tips on Water Bills

-Repair all leaky faucets. One drip per second can waste as much as 10 gallons of water a day.

-Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when you have full loads.

-Match the water lever on your washing machine to the size of the load if you have to do a smaller load of laundry.

-Wash fruits and vegetables in a partial filled sink or from a pot rather than washing them under running water.

-Use the water from the pot that you’ve just washed your fruits and vegetables with and water your houseplants.

-Do not allow the water to run while you are shaving, brushing your teeth, or washing your face.

-Capture rain water whenever possible. You can use it to water your indoor plants. You can also save the water to use in your garden in a few days once the rain has stopped.

-Showers typically use about half the amount of hot water as a bath does.

-Adjust your sprinklers so that your lawn is getting watered, not the house, driveway, and sidewalk.

-Plant in the fall when the conditions are cooler and there is more rainfall. Reducing the need for you to water new plants.

-Repair running toilets as soon as possible.

-Sweep your driveway with a broom instead of always cleaning it with a hose or gas-powered blower.

-Defrost food by placing it in the refrigerator instead of running water over it.

-Soak pots and pans that are heavily crusted instead of running water while you scrape them clean.

-Take your car to a car wash that recycles its water.

-Water you lawn at night when it is cooler and less water will evaporate.

-Make sure that you have aerators on your faucets and that you keep them clean.

STEP 4

ESSENTIAL TOOL KIT

Every home should be stocked with the essential tools and materials needed to properly maintain your house. The following items should be on hand while performing basic maintenance or when dealing with an emergency.

-A large toolbox

-Hammer

-Screwdriver set

-Flashlights

-Tape measure

-Small pry bar

-Voltage tester

-GFCI tester

-Pliers

-Vise grips

-Cordless screwdriver

-Wood chisel

-Caulk gun

-Torpedo level

-Utility knife

-Wire cutters

-Handsaw

-Square

-Stud finder

-Pipe wrench

-Shop-Vac

-Sink plunger

-Toilet plunger for each bathroom

-First aid kit

-Electrical tape

-Masking tape

-Duct tape

-Sink auger

These tools will take care of most maintenance issues while working around your property and when dealing with an emergency. Other tools are usually acquired when you’re tackling a specific project. There’s no sense buying a circular saw just to have one. It makes more sense to purchase this item when you’re planning on building something that calls for this tool. It might be a better idea to rent the tools that you plan on using once a year. Tools that fall into this category include a pressure washer or carpet cleaner.

STEP 5

Essential material that you should have in a specific location will save you time and money. There is nothing more annoying then having to run to the store to buy a light bulb because you don’t have one readily available. Create a supply closet or build shelves in your basement or garage designated for these items. Keeping this area organized will help you with inventory as you use the material to maintain your home.

-Light bulbs for your light fixtures, appliances, and exterior lighting

-Caulk and grout

-Furnace filters

-Water filters

-Assortment of wire

-Assortment of screws, nuts, and bolts

-Assortment of lubricating oil and sprays

-Assortment of batteries (AA, AAA, and 9 volt)

-Fan belts

-Humidifier filters

-Cleaning supplies

-Towels and rags

-Dust broom and dustpan

-Primers, paints and stains

-Felt pads

-Velcro

-Spackle

-Assortment of sandpaper and/or sanding sponges

-Vacuum filters

-Paintbrushes

You’ll accumulate many materials over the years. As you work around your home you’ll find that many items begin to accumulate like caulk, nails, screws, and paint. Simply add them to your material shelves and they’ll be there in the future when you need them again.

STEP 6

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AND CONCERNS

The following provides general information about some of the environmental hazards that have the potential to affect your home environment. While this information is believed to be accurate, it is not meant to be comprehensive or all-inclusive. This simply provides basic information to help homeowners understand the possible risk of exposure to potentially harmful environmental hazards