Maintenance Tips for First-time Homeowners. Recently bought your first home in Sydney, or pondering about the decision? Becoming a first-time homeowner is an exciting prospect, more so if you will be living in Sydney. The thought of the beaches, harbour, shopping districts, and restaurants can get anyone pumped about the city. However, one thing that most homeowners overlook is the part about caring for their property to ensure it stays in its best condition.
Your home is a significant investment, so you must learn how to maintain it. Home maintenance may not be the most exciting or fun thing to do, but by familiarizing yourself with it, you will see that it is not as bad as it sounds. Additionally, you can always get help from professionals for more technical jobs, such as getting a plumber in Sydney to repair your drainage system.
To guide you as a first-time homeowner, here are some maintenance tips that may help you maintain your home.
Inspect Your HVAC Filter
Start by checking your HVAC filter, an integral component of your heating and cooling system. You never know what dust and debris may have accumulated while the property was on sale, so turn off your system and pull out the filters to have a look. If they are too dark and dirty to be cleaned, you can replace them with a new filter from your local hardware store. Make sure you check your filters right after you move in, and every year from that point.
Check for Plumbing Issues
Clogged drains, running toilets, dripping faucets, and low water pressure are common plumbing issues you may encounter at home. If you see these issues or something similar, check your pipes or drains to see if there are blockages. That said, you will need the right tools to do the job, so if you do not have them, it will be better to hire a plumber. Consider looking for a local plumber in Sydney at once after moving in, so you know who to contact if you run into any issues.
Find Your Circuit Breaker Box
Your circuit breaker box serves as the main power supply for your home, distributing it to different areas. You can find it in the garage or basement, so once you move in, try to see where it is located. Familiarize yourself with the switches to determine which fuse connects to a specific area in your home. Labelling each will be helpful for future purposes when you or a technician may need to do electrical maintenance.
Caulk Your Windows
Air leakage in windows can easily occur due to weather exposure or age, so it will be best to check them out after moving into your home. Caulking the cracks and leaks in your windows can prevent further leaks from happening, so you can maintain the warmth or coldness in your home. That said, there are many types of caulks available, so try getting help from a salesperson to determine the right type. By choosing the right caulk, you no longer have to worry about recaulking in the next season.
Touch Up Exterior Paint
Check if you need to retouch on the paint in any part of your home. Doing this will not only be for visual purposes but also to prevent wood from rusting and rotting. That said, touching up does not mean you have to repaint all areas–priming, sanding, and patching will sometimes be enough.