For most people, buying a first home is a key point in their lives. It can be the result of several years spent saving money to afford a deposit and hopefully climbing the career ladder at work to benefit from improved levels of income.
After the stresses of successfully bidding for the property and moving in have taken place, it is time to enjoy life as a homeowner in your first house and make the spaces truly your own.
It is also important to understand that all homeowners must have a basic knowledge of key home maintenance skills. Over time, any home will need routine maintenance or repair work to ensure that it looks its best for decades to come.
Some of this work will require the hiring of professional tradespeople, but other maintenance tasks can be completed if you have a little DIY knowledge and a suitable level of fitness. In this article, some top tips for keeping your starter home well-maintained will be explored.
Dealing with burst pipes and leaks
In the wintertime, it is common for older houses to experience problems from old water pipes. The changes in temperature can cause pipes to crack and then to burst because of the water pressure. Flooding caused by a burst water pipe can be stressful and costly to repair, especially if you do not act quickly to limit the water damage.
Firstly, it is incredibly important to switch off the water supply to your home. Most houses have a water stop tap under the main kitchen sink or countertop or outside the property near the water and electrical meters. Turn this off immediately to limit any further damage.
Next, call out a reputable and professional plumbing service to assess the damage and fix the problem. If you live in the Salt Lake City area of America, search online for plumber Salt Lake City to find a list of suitable professionals. Look for customer testimonials to ensure that previous clients have been satisfied with the work and to be reassured that you are dealing with experts in this field.
Inspect your roof after storms
When storms occur with high winds and heavy rainfall, they can cause damage to your property’s roof. Slates and roofing tiles can be dislodged. If this is left without being repaired, it can cause water to come into the property, causing expensive structural damage to occur over time.
After any storm, conduct a thorough visual inspection of your roof. Look for signs of broken or missing slates or roof panels. If you notice this issue, you can then decide whether you are confident enough to fix the problem yourself or hire a building professional to undertake the repair work. If the damage is minor, it can be far cheaper to fix the issue yourself.
Click here for more information on how to repair small-scale damage to your roof. You should be confident working at height and take the necessary steps to protect your personal safety. Wear a hard hat and ensure that the ladder is placed at a secure angle to the house to prevent it from slipping.