Your First Steps as a New Homeowner

Your First Steps as a New Homeowner

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Do an “inventory” of your home for insurance purposes. If you have a fire or other serious home damage, you’ll need documentation of what you owned so that your insurance can pay for it.

Get out your home inspection. Odds are, there are items on your home inspection that the seller did not repair. Create a time-line, a plan, and a budget for taking care of these remaining items over time. Know where your main water shut-off is in case of an emergency – your inspection should tell you where it is. Make sure your exterior water faucets & pipes in exterior walls & under your home are insulated against freezing in winter.

Create a regular maintenance plan. Be sure to include having & checking adequate smoke detectors & a fire extinguisher. Following is a general checklist:

1. Roof: Check roof and around vents, skylights and chimneys for leaks. Repair as necessary.
2. Attic: If there is no ridge vent, keep gable vents open year-round to ensure proper ventilation.
3. Gutters: Clean gutters and drain pipes so leaves won't clog them and be sure they drain away from the house. (Fall: In cold-climate areas) Drain outside faucets.
4. Fireplace: Clean fireplace of ashes. (Fall) Check chimney for loose or missing mortar. Have chimney professionally cleaned. Make sure damper closes tightly. (Spring) Leave damper open for improved ventilation if the home is not air-conditioned
5. Filters: Remember to clean or replace filters once a month, or as needed. Check and clean dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood and room fans. Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and draperies.
6. Safety Equipment: Ensure that all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are in good working order. Replace batteries in appropriate devices as needed, or at least twice each year.
7. Air Conditioner: (Fall: In cold-climate areas) Remove window air-conditioners, or put weatherproof covers on them. If you have a swamp-cooler, be sure to drain it.
8. Refrigerator: Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, the latch may need to be adjusted or the seal may need to be replaced. In addition, if you have a coil-back refrigerator, vacuum the coils at least twice each year. Your refrigerator will run more efficiently with clean coils. Also, stock up! A full refrigerator uses less energy than an empty one.
9. Faucets: Check for leaky faucets in kitchen and bathroom(s). Replace washers as necessary.
10. Windows and Doors: Seal drafty doors and windows. If you added up all of the small cracks where heating and cooling escapes from a home, it would be the same as having a window open. Replace seals as needed.
11. Storm Windows and Screens: (Fall) Take down screens (if removable type) and replace with storm windows. (Spring) Remove, clean, and store storm windows (if removable). Check and patch all door and window screens. Put screens up (if removable type).
12. Siding and Paint: Look for cracks and holes in house siding. If you have wood decks, be sure to weather-proof them.
    
    
13. Heating System:  (fall) have heating system serviced. Change filters.
14. Hot Water Heater: (Fall) Drain hot water heater. Remove sediment from the bottom of the tank.

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