CulDeSac
join:2007-12-01
Chandler, AZ | reply to drew
Re: Tasks the Average Homeowner Should Do
»www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Ho···730.html |
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mattmag
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-04-09
NW Illinois
clubs:
 ·Mediacom
| reply to drew
Lots of good advice. For what its worth, NOT everyone has an inside shutoff valve on the outside faucets. What I *do* have however, is "frost-proof" assemblies that are identified by having a long metal pipe section that goes inside from the wall about a foot before it connects to the supply pipe inside the basement. The actual valve mechanism opens and closes at that point, well inside the warm living space. The long pipe allows the water to flow outside then, and when you shut the valve off, that pipe drains out preventing the assembly from freezing.
Of course, one thing has to be done---make sure there is no hose connected to the faucet when cold weather comes, or the water has no place to drain and it WILL freeze!
Some things to do to help be on top of things, include cleaning the outside coil on your central air or heat pump if you have either one. When you walk around your home, look for things that are coming loose, like a piece of soffit or siding perhaps. Watch for signs of water leaking out of places that it shouldn't be, like behind a gutter.
If you think something is wrong, or "out of place", it probably is! Good maintenance is more about observation than anything. |
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SLD
Premium
join:2002-04-17 | reply to drew
Change lightbulbs.
Sell house as-is. |
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wilbilt
Pronto Resurrected
Premium
join:2004-01-11
Oroville, CA
| reply to drew
From a somewhat different perspective (I guess...)
I do everything myself. Maybe it comes from my upbringing or perhaps it is due to the fact I can't (or won't) pay someone else to do what I can easily accomplish.
As a homeowner for 25+ years, there are just some things that come with the territory. Crawlspace, yes. Yardwork, yes. Roof, siding, windows, foundation...yes.
I can't imagine it any other way. One must have some form of self-sufficiency.
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We were taking a vote when the ground came up and hit us. |
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
| That's why I'm asking for advice.
I can figure out when I'm in over my head, but I don't even know where to look to figure out if I am or not 
The PDFs are a help and I'll print them out and keep em handy.
Keep the ideas coming. Thanks!
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Come play Mafia! | My Picture Blog |
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Koil
Premium
join:2002-09-10
West Columbia, SC
clubs: | Good thred, Drew....we're into our 2nd year at our house and I get the jitters about stuff I should be doing....keep the stuff coming! |
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KoolMoe
Aw Man
Premium
join:2001-02-14
Annapolis, MD
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Speakeasy
| reply to drew
Keep your dryer screen clean; after every single dryer load, clean it.
Once a year, pull out the dryer, put a leaf blower on the inside vent, and blow the sucker out.
You will get some kickback and a bunch of dust in the laundry area, but keeping that exhaust vent clean is important.
A chimney is just as important. Have a fireplace?
I'd not heard of draining the bottom gallon from the water heater. Why? Get rid of rust and away from the anodes?
I've owned a home for just about 10 years now. I was pretty much a DIY noob at the start. I'm learning every year - necessity if the mother of...learning how to do things.
Yes, water sucks.
I will not be redoing the roof myself, and hoping it lasts another year. If I could get help with gutters, I'd replace the fascia myself, but going to hire that out (worth $150). I have no problem digging, caulking, sawing, hammering, screwing, or most basic stuff.
Start a tool fund and/or wish list.
Expanding foam is cool.
Learn about electricity.
My biggest problem now; I've a 20 y/old van I'm trying to DIY as much as possible on.... Trying to DIY home and automotive, and work, and family.
Sheesh.
Glad I have a 16 y/old and two younger kids to take out the trash and mow the damn lawn!
Just remember, it never stops. One problem finally resolved, guarantee you'll have another in a year's time. Have a house fund.
KM
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Don't Lie - Be Kind - Realize your Potential |
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
| Tool fund... I like that.
My tools consist of: cordless screwdriver/drill of unknown origin, an off brand so I suspect walmart, a black and decker corded drill that I used to drive a drill bit that I used to drill through studs to wire my house with CAT5e, miscellaneous wrenches and sockets and a hammer (if I can find it.) heh.
I need to fix my lawn mower... not even a year old and it sputters like its about to die every 5-10 seconds..
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Come play Mafia! | My Picture Blog |
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fcisler
Premium
join:2004-06-14
Riverhead, NY
| reply to drew
I wouldent drain water heater (as someone mentioned) unless it has previously been drained and serviced. Numerous people I have talked to have told me that in instances removing sediment will lead to different heat patterns and, in certain cases, the tank to develop issues. At least on a stor-save like I have.
I decided to clean my boiler myself...huge headache. Hadn't been maintained in years and the combustion chamber was destroyed. Insulation collapsed and had to be rebuilt. Major pain in the ass, but my boiler is running great now. I'd recommend a very fine filter or even a second vaccuum for cleaning out a hot water boiler.
As far as maintenance goes, in no particular order: clean dryer vents and piping, bleed air from zones (hot water), chech for leaks/drips in basement during heavy rain, check doors weatherstripping and sills, check windows seals and sills, drainage, gutters, attic, garage door seals and track, lubricate locks with graphite, lube hinges, vaccuum radatiors and fins, insulate pipes, get chimney(s) cleaned, etc.
It varies greatly. In my case my large glass sliding doors (12ft?) are warped (bought it that way). During summer it was no issue as I had no central ac. Now that I'm paying to heat the area the cost of some rope insulation and white duct tape will save me significant money from drafts - and isn't very obtrusive. I'm also in the process of removing all drywall and insulation from my garage (previous owners had a dog who pissed all over drywall - yuck!) and redoing all of it. I will buy better insulation to keep some heat in there. |
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Boricua65
join:2002-01-26
Puerto Rico
| reply to KoolMoe
said by KoolMoe  :Just remember, it never stops. One problem finally resolved, guarantee you'll have another in a year's time. Have a house fund. KM Excellent idea about having a house fund. Definitely want to save some money for major projects in the future that may not be a DIY. So true, if one thing breaks then gets fixed, something else is just around the corner to get broken  .
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Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian. Robert Orben
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KoolMoe
Aw Man
Premium
join:2001-02-14
Annapolis, MD
clubs:
·Verizon FIOS
·Speakeasy
| reply to drew
A jigsaw and/or sawzall is nice to have.
A circular saw is very cool to have, if not a little...scary.
But maybe not really needed for a couple years til you're comfortable breaking down a wall, or tearing up the leaking bathroom floor, or building a basic planting table for the wife instead of spending $100 on one.
Don't underestimate the need for safety glasses.
I like the portability of my 19v cordless drill/screwdriver and it has good torque, but when the battery dies, or totally dies (won't hold a charge), a corded one is a godsend. I wish I could find my old B&D corded drill...
Socket wrenches = A+...but I bet the next you'll need them, you'll need metric, or will be missing the proper sized socket. I think I have a mix of three different sets now.
An adapter to put sockets on your power drill will be very handy (or at least I'm finding that to be true with the automotive work).
WD40 is even cooler than expanding foam.
KM
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Don't Lie - Be Kind - Realize your Potential |
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scooper
join:2000-07-11
Youngsville, NC
| reply to drew
Shop Vac - absolutely essential to minimize dust when sanding drywall - and great for cleaning up other messes as well  (including wet ones) - I'd recommend pay the extra for the "quiet" model.. |
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Msradell
join:2008-12-25
Louisville, KY
| reply to tschmidt
said by tschmidt :said by drew :I've got baseboard heating... any maintenance on those? Probably want to vacuum them before the heating season and remove any dust bunnies. Changing filters is a good idea. If you have a humidifier check it and renew element if needed. There aren't any filters in a baseboard heating system! |
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mr_slick
join:2003-05-22
Lynnwood, WA
| 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
we do not have those in washington state (at least west of the cascades)...
out of all the dozen or so that i have either lived in or been in the crawlspace all but two or three had ONLY a main house shutoff. It does not get that cold here and a insulator that goes on the outside is sufficient, which the OP should get (the cheap styrofoam ones are fine). |
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mr_slick
join:2003-05-22
Lynnwood, WA
| reply to drew
for tools, consider buying cheapo wally world (or other discount store that slings cheap asian stuff) for tools that you WILL NOT use very often like an angle grinder, router, jig saw. and purchase higher quality tools that get a lot of use, are easily damaged or are just plain expensive type of tool (hand and garden tools, chop saw, drills, multimeter, ladders and safety equipment)
of course everyone's criteria of which tools fall into which category is dependant on what you want to do (a person who likes to woodwork is going to want a better router than me-- i think i have used mine once)
you get the point hopefully. you can always buy better ones later if you have extra cash. by following this strategy i have almost all the tools that i could think of needing and i didn't have to wait years to acquire them. |
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mr_slick
join:2003-05-22
Lynnwood, WA | reply to scooper
that is one thing that i do need still.... and a pressure washer.
i know what i am getting myself for x-mas  |
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haroldo
join:2004-01-16
united state
·Comcast
| reply to drew
Great thread...but tough to read and follow.
Might I suggest a new sticky thread titled "Suggested DIY maintenance for the non-handy homeowner" (or something like that). The thread could be closed and list the tasks and chores without the extraneous comments.
Just a suggestion... |
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dark_star
join:2003-11-14
| reply to drew
Regarding tools, I strongly advise buying a tool when you need it, and only when you need it. Otherwise, men and tools are like women and shoes. You'll bankrupt yourself with stuff that you think you need.
The exceptions are socket, wrench, and screwdriver sets. You don't want to buy one socket, or one wrench, or one screwdriver. By all means, get a decent set of each.
As for the miscellaneous stuff both small and large, buy those only when you undertake an improvement project or repair that requires it. In many such cases, the tool will pay for itself the first time you use it, versus hiring the job to a contractor. Assuming of course that you have the skill and temperament to get professional quality results. |
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i1me2ao
Premium
join:2001-03-03
TEXAS | reply to drew
i got my tools by buying hand held tools with each check. they add up really quickly.. |
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scooper
join:2000-07-11
Youngsville, NC
| reply to Jeffrey
said by Jeffrey :Every 2 weeks or so I do a walk around the house - inside and out - to notice any changes. This is probably the most important thing you can do - get familar with your house and what "looks normal". I don't necessarily think every 2 weeks is necessary (maybe at first until that familar factor is set), but certainly a regular inspection schedule so you catch small problems before they become large problems.
You will eventually grow to know your house well enough that when something "smells funny" you'll know it as well - hot, miswired electric has a distinctive smell. |
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