scooper
join:2000-07-11
Youngsville, NC
1 edit | reply to drew
Re: Tasks the Average Homeowner Should Do
where to start --
Well - being able to do drywall repair and paint, supply-side plumbing (I leave the waste for the pros) , minor electrical work (replacing outlet / switch, but knowing how to safely add a circuit is nice to know), replace filters (both HVAC and water if necessary).
Jobs that require tools - gutter cleaning (I need a 24 feet ladder), basic handtools / power handtools (drill, sabre and/or circular saw). Shovels (couple different kinds) rakes, wheelbarrow, mower and trimmer. shrub tools. Dealing with well switch /pressure switch etc (if on your own well). Pool equipment (if you have one - there are dedicated boards for this to get you started). Install and grout ceramic tile
Being able to install mailbox posts / mailboxes.
That's a good start.
Start with things you feel comfortable with, and go up from there. There's no law saying that it's a crime to get a pro when the job is over your head - if you don't feel comfortable about doing a job even after taking some time to learn about it - you can always find those "Handyman" services. |
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i1me2ao
Premium
join:2001-03-03
TEXAS
 ·Comcast
| reply to drew
figure out what you are comfortable doing and realize when a job is too big. do not listen to the assholes at work that think you should do everything yourself like add on too house etc. there will always be people who can do more and people who do less..
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calling a illegal alien undocumented is like calling a drug dealer a undocumented pharmacist |
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goofy01
join:2004-02-05
Hammond, IN | reply to drew
If you are in an area where it can freeze, usually the outside faucets have a drain installed after the shutoff inside the house. Then once you shut off the water, you open the outside and the drain inside and let it run out. |
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs: | I don't believe I've ever seen a shutoff inside the house. |
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plumb
@sbcglobal.net | I don't think I've ever seen a house or commercial building WITHOUT an inside shut-off... you must be mistaken |
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs: | Good to know. Where should I go looking? |
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Jeffrey
too dark too early
Premium
join:2002-12-24
Dix Hills,NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Vonage
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| said by drew  :Good to know. Where should I go looking? In my house, we have 2 outside water faucets in the front. When I go into the basement, I open the drop ceiling and see one pipe, and I go to the extreme left side of the basement, look up and there is my second one.
Each have a knob that you can turn on/off the flow/feed of water to each faucet. So, I go outside and turn both on. Then, I go inside and turn the feed. So now whatever is left in the pipe is draining outside. Then, there is a little nipple or whatever you want to call it on the inside near each knob. Unscrewing those drains the remaining water in the pipe, and that water goes into a plastic cup I'm holding. Usually amounts to 50-100mL.
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"Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy." - George Carlin |
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs: | Interesting. I suppose the shut-offs could be in the crawl space...
*le sigh*
I hate the crawl space. |
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Nick_L
Premium
join:2003-01-22
Pittsburgh, PA
| reply to drew
said by drew :I'm a terrible DIY-er, but part of being an adult and a homeowner is doing things that you aren't necessarily any good at, but chugging through and gettin' 'er done. Personally, I've always found it was the other way around. I takes an adult to realize when they can't do something, and to seek help. It also takes an adult to realize they could actually make something MUCH worse, instead of better.
I hate yardwork. I didnt do it as a child, and I'll be dammed if I'm going to do it now! I make money doing something someone else can't/doesn't want to do. There is nothing wrong with giving some of that to someone else to do what I don't want to do! Don't believe the hype. You dont need to do it all, just make sure it gets done!!
Given your comments regarding shutoffs and filters, I think your best bet might be to find a local "handyman", or even a handy friend. Someone who can come over a several times a year (seasonally would be good) for the first couple of years, just to get your familiar with things. Show you where the shutoffs are, label the breaker pannel for you, show you how to clean out your gutters & downspouts, show you where to oil any pumps/motors, check your sump (if you have one), and so on.
As you get familiar with these tasks you can do them yourself (or choose not too)! But in the mean time, you know you will be proctecting your investment, and maybe helping someone else out a little as well.
Good luck,
Nick
P.s. the most damage to ha house comes from water, in my experience (with the exception of fire, of course). Slowly leaking toilets, clogged gutters, ice dams, poorly insulated pipes leaking condensation, frozen pipes, leaking roof flashing, plugged condensate drains, etc. They can all create problems far worse than you'd expect. try to keep an eye on them. |
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cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
| reply to drew
said by drew :Do you have any you'd recommend? This is the book that my parents got me as a housewarming gift when we bought our house 10 years ago. I know I also have a similar book that's Home Depot branded that has the same type of content. |
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SandShark
So it goes
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-23
Santa Fe, TX
clubs:
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to plumb
said by plumb :
I don't think I've ever seen a house or commercial building WITHOUT an inside shut-off... you must be mistaken
I think it depends where one lives. My house is single story, no basement, on slab. My water meter is in the ground in my front yard. There is a shut-off valve there. In addition, there is a shut -off valve outside where the main water line enters the house. In my area of the country, I have never seen a shut-off valve inside a house or commercial building. |
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bent
not broken
Premium
join:2004-10-04
Loveland, CO
clubs:
·Comcast Formerly ..
| reply to drew
Speaking of crawl space, you might think about throwing a bug bomb down there periodically (annually? How bad are your bugs?)
If you live in a mild winter climate with only occasional freezes you probably don't have a shut off for the hose bibs, just a "frost free" hose bib. Make sure to unscrew your hoses from the bibs in the winter. The water trapped in the hose can cause the "frost free" not to work and freeze and crack the pipe.
You at least need to know where the main water shutoff is so if you do have a pipe burst you know how to shut off the water before the plumber shows up.
You probably want to run at least a couple of short term Radon tests if that wasn't a part of your home inspection. »www.epa.gov/radon/ Your state may have a program where you can get the test kits free or cheap.
If you have a wood burning fireplace and use it you should have the chimney swept annually or more often if you use it a lot, or less often if you never use it.
You should probably have a professional roofer inspect the roof every couple of years. Catching a leak or deterioration early can save you a ton of cash in the long run.
If you have trees on your property, you may want to consult with an arborist about any maintenance that should be done on those particular trees. A limb falling from a crappy tree can do some damage.
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Greedy Old Pigs |
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i1me2ao
Premium
join:2001-03-03
TEXAS | reply to SandShark
same setup here. but then again we freeze once a year or every few years.. |
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Austinloop
join:2001-08-19
Austin, TX | reply to cdru
Yes, HomeDepot does have a very similar book. I have one of the early editions and recently bought the latest for my daughter and son-in-law. Very helpful, and explains exactly what is required for each task. |
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Boricua65
join:2002-01-26
Puerto Rico
| reply to drew
First thing that comes to mind (as I am a almost new homeowner [2 years]) is to check the smoke alarms. Very important!!! I believe it's every six months.
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, preferably that is ABC rated for the kitchen, and may be another one in the hallway. Have it checked once or twice a year to make sure it hasn't expired.
Another I found (at a friend's condo garage) is to inspect your garage door opener and probably lubricate it. I don't know what the frequency is for that.
Like you, I've had those questions to, lurking on this forum for answers. One that was provided was to drain the hot water heater every six months.
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Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian. Robert Orben
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
| Speaking of water heaters...
Mine is an instant-on water heater that uses Propane for fuel. Any known preventative maintenance there?
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Come play Mafia! | My Picture Blog |
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Boricua65
join:2002-01-26
Puerto Rico
| I don't know about that kind of set up. Mine is a natural gas water heater. I just finished ordering this book from Amazon.com. It's about home improvement and it has gotten pretty good reviews. HTH
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Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian. Robert Orben
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
1 edit | I'll add it to the Christmas list. The family loves sub several hundred dollar gift ideas....
My hobbies are expensive.. sue me! 
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Come play Mafia! | My Picture Blog |
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bkjohnson
Premium
join:2002-05-22
Birmingham, AL | reply to drew
In addition to the outdoor faucet shutoffs mentioned, it's good to know where all shutoffs are - water, gas, electrical etc. & how to operate them. |
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keyboard5684
join:2001-08-01
Youngsville, PA
·Teliax VOIP
 ·WestPAnet Inc.
·WestPAnet Inc. CA..
| reply to drew
I highly agree with the water comment... water will do the most damage and is a big problem. Your roof is extremely important so always be checking for leaks. Sagging areas, inside the home for any leakage, etc. Leaky pipes will slowly cost you a ton of money if they are doing damage.
Also, it really depends on where you live. Where I live we have to prepare for winter. Make sure windows are sealed. Gutters cleaned and the roof cleaned off because of ice buildup. I have central air so I just cleaned it out (with a hose and let it dry out) then covered the outside coil.
I replace my heat filter every month but baseboard heating like you mentioned just needs a vacuum run through it to makes sure the fins are clean.
If you live south there is maintenance on AC units and prepare the heater as well. Fire it up and make sure there are no problems before you get a cold day, it does not work, and everybody else is calling the pros too.
I will admit I never had a radon test, not sure if it is a bigger deal in certain areas.
But it is not too late to get a home inspection. They cost about $200 and they will walk through your home with you. They show you what areas need attention and will layout a maintenance plan for you. Ask all these questions to the inspector when they are there. Our home inspection was dead on (Ex: They told me I would need a new hot water tank within 4 years, new roof in 2 years, etc). Sounds like you did not have an inspection. They gave me a complete book about a week after going through the home with me that laid out everything... great service and here they are all licensed and very good. |
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