Becoming a homeowner for the first time ever is an intimidating thought, but in the long run, you will enjoy many benefits. Having your own place to live is one of life’s greatest achievements, so you must make sure that you make a solid and secure investment for your future.
To ensure this, you will need to inspect your home on your own every once in a while and detect any potential complications when they’re still fresh and easy to fix.
Waiting around too much can aggravate the situation tremendously, which means that repairs will cost you more than a pretty penny.
Where to Look
Although you are perfectly able to detect most problems on your own, you will need to call in an expert in each field to fix the potential issues that you might find. Here are three DIY inspection tips and the spots of the house you need to look for trouble in.
Check the Plumbing
The one part of a construction that is perhaps the most susceptible to extensive damage is the piping system. To ensure that your home is in good shape, you need to check this regularly and immediately take note of any leaks or weird sewer gas smells. But where does one look for such issues? Well, the best point to start is in the bathroom, where the most water comes in.
After checking there, look around your kitchen sink, as well as any other fixtures that produce water flow. Last, but certainly not least, you also need to go down to the basement where it all meets up. Knowing a few plumbing terms and common methods help you out a lot in this situation, but if you require more assistance, don’t be afraid to call in an expert.
Finding these issues early on means that you can restrict the number of repairs that need to be done. If a leak is left unattended for too long, not only will it mess with aspects such as water pressure, but it will also trigger the appearance of mold and mildew around the house and inflict water damage on walls and wooden surfaces.
Inspect the Basement
And now that we’ve brought up the basement, Popular Mechanics declares that this section of your new house is definitely one area that you need to inspect right away. There are quite a few elements you need to pay attention to down there. First of all, check out the heater. Does it make any weird noises?
If you hear the water in it gurgle or snap, it means that sediment has accumulated and needs to be drained. Luckily, this is something you can easily do yourself. Flush out three to four gallons of water out of the heater to prolong its lifespan and eliminate any clogging hazards.
On top of that, most homes have their electrical box in the basement as well. Open that up and look for any faulty wiring. A telltale sign of trouble is splicing, which is a clear indicator of a poor job in this department. If that’s the case, you will need to check the rest of the house for any other weak spots and call in an electrician to fix them.
Don’t Forget the Roof
According to The Family Handyman, a house’s roof is the hardest and costliest part to replace from the entire construction. This is why detecting any possible issues with it and nipping them in the bud is essential. To do this, you need to check the attic first for any leaks or signs of damage, and then get on the actual roof to inspect it.
However, if this is not safe, do not attempt it on your own. Calling in a professional inspector or a handyman that knows how to get around this task is a better idea. Don’t endanger your own well-being to complete a task that can be done professionally by someone else if the need for it arises.
The main complication that a faulty roof causes is water damage, which in turn can erode your home’s entire power structure and weaken its stability over time. Thus, if you don’t fix potential holes or ruptures in a timely fashion, you will need to make a lot more repairs to try and undo the harm that has been done.
Determine how long ago the shingles have been installed or replaced, as well as when this component underwent maintenance last. If the entire home is newly built, there shouldn’t be any issues, but you can still check anyway. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?
Conclusion
Owning your first house seems complicated at first, but if you keep up with a few simple requirements you will get the hang of it in no time. The essential thing to remember is that inspecting your living space and its adjacent areas regularly is a key element in keeping the entire building in shape and up to date.
To ensure this, always keep an eye out for issues relating to plumbing, electrical wiring and other appliances that ensure the functionality of the house. Furthermore, remember that areas such as the bathroom, the basement and the roof always require extra attention. And if any serious complications appear, always request professional assistance.
