Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibilities, some of which you might not even know yet! That is why we put together this handy article to teach you some skills that are important to have as a homeowner.
1. Know How To Unclog a Toilet
Clogged toilets can be the worst, especially if you’re unsure on how to get them unclogged. There are a few different things you can do to try and unclog your toilet.
- Try dumping a gallon of water into the toilet to see if the water can forcibly unclog the toilet. This can only be done if the water level in the toilet bowl is quite low.
- If that doesn’t work then your next option is to use a plunger. Make sure you create a suction and also have a lot of water because what you’re doing is forcing the water down the toilet bowl. Try pressing down on it a few times, and then test the toilet to see if it’s working.
- If neither of these options work, then you will likely have to use a snake to try and unclog the toilet. These are pretty easy to use as well, but not everyone has one lying around!
2. Cleaning The Gutters
Cleaning the gutters at least twice a year is incredibly important. It allows proper water flow thru your gutters so that water can be moved away from your home’s foundation, and it’s very simple to do! All you need to do is grab a ladder, place it in a secure location, put on some gloves, and then remove the leaves and debris from your gutters.
3. Stop Leaky Faucets
Another thing not many people know but is actually quite easy is stopping leaky faucets. To do this you’ll first want to shut off the water to the faucet, and then place a rag over the drain so you don’t lose any parts. You’ll need to disassemble your faucet and put on a new rubber washer to seal the valve with a compression faucet, and a washerless faucet will need a new O-ring.
4. Locate Wall Studs
Locating wall studs is incredibly important if you ever plan on hanging anything heavy on your home’s walls! To locate a stud without a stud finder you can tap on the wall, and you’ll notice when there is a stud because the wall will be noticeably harder. If you have a stud finder, just turn it on, set it on the wall and it’ll light up when there is a stud.
5. Deep Cleaning Tiles
To keep tiles squeaky clean it’s best to wipe them down whenever they have water or other things on them immediately with a microfiber clothe. Then once every 2 weeks do a deep clean with a water-vinegar mixture. You will want to avoid use bleach, oil based cleaners, and hard bristled brushes.
6. Replace Your Furnace’s Filter
One of the easiest ways to make sure your furnace is in tip top shape and running efficiently is by replacing the filter every two months. It’s also really easy to do, you just remove the front plate, slide out the older filter and put in the new one! Every furnace is different though so consult your manual just in case, and to check what type of filter you need.
7. Unclog a Sink
Before using those harsh chemical drainers on your sink, you should first check the P-trap. This is a tube that is used to block the flow of air from the water line into your house, and to trap any larger items. First you’ll want to turn off the water, then place a bucket under the P-trap. Unscrew the pipe and check if something is lodged in there, if not you may have a bigger problem and may want to contact a plumber.