Home Maintenance Tips and Tricks for the First Time Homeowner

So you have bought your new home and are just now settling in. You should be proud of this accomplishment, but now you feel overwhelmed with the responsibility that you have. Taking care of a home by yourself can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! With the right mindset, you can see taking care of your home as a fun experience, rather than a mind numbing chore.

But with that in mind, there are a few tips and tricks that new homeowners should know when it comes to home maintenance.

Check on your attic insulation

Your attic is one of the first places in your home to get forgotten. But the attic is the cherry on top of the cake that is your home, and if you don’t pay attention to it, you can cause a series of problems in your home. For example, if you don’t have enough attic insulation, you could be paying more to heat and cool your home. You should have insulation that is at least six inches thick all throughout your attic, so make sure to check on this right after you move in.

Install ceiling fans

While ceiling fans aren’t necessarily a match for an air conditioning unit in your home, ceiling fans are great because they move air around the room. Not only does this make your home feel less stuffy, the air circulation effect allows you to keep your thermostat down a few degrees during the summer and winter, which will allow for quite the cost savings.

Mark your basement cracks with masking tape

Incredibly small cracks in your basement foundation may not seem to be a big deal, but only if you keep up with them and make sure they don’t get bigger over time. You can easily do this by marking your basement cracks with dated masking tape, then periodically checking to see if they have grown or if new ones have appeared nearby. If the small cracks aren’t getting larger, you don’t have to worry. But if you are seeing them get bigger over time, then call for a professional to come fix them now. You can save money by dealing with the problem now, rather than waiting for something to go extremely wrong.

Do a landscape check

Take the time when you first move in to check on your landscaping and how it interacts with your home. For example, you’ll want to hire a professional to trim any/all trees and other landscaping that can get in the way of your gutters and downspouts. While you’re outside looking around, take a look at how the gutters, roof vents, and eaves look. Even if nothing is wrong, you can have the peace of mind that your roof is one less thing to deal with during the first big storm in your new place.

Consider sustainable energy sources

Paying for your energy bills can be quite expensive, so why don’t you consider some natural alternatives? While they may be expensive at first, sustainable energy sources can be a great long-term investment. Sources such as residential solar panels are easy to install, and can save you a ton of money in the long run. Plus, you’ll be giving back to the environment at the same time, so what could be better?

With these tips and tricks in mind, you’ll be on your way to taking care of your home with ease. In order to not feel overwhelmed with the task at hand, all you have to do is simply take each task one at a time!

A freelance writer with a BA in English from Sarah Lawrence College.