Owning a home comes with a mix of excitement and responsibility. While your house provides a haven, it also requires some essential knowledge to keep it safe, functional and in top condition. Being prepared for unexpected issues, understanding the key components of your home and staying on top of maintenance will save you in the long run. With that in mind, here are five crucial things every homeowner should know to protect their investment.
1. How To Turn Off the Water
Turning off the water supply to your house will allow you to quickly stop water flow in a plumbing emergency. This can include burst pipes, leaky faucets, overflowing fixtures or other serious plumbing issues that could cause severe water damage. This can also be useful if you're leaving your home for an extended time, especially during the colder months when pipes are more prone to freezing and bursting.
The water main is usually located near the front of the house, towards the water meter. The water meter is often found outside near the property line. If your home has a basement, crawlspace or utility room, the water main is sometimes found there. There are several different types of water main valves, so knowing where it is, what kind you have and how to shut it off is crucial.
2. Where the Circuit Board Is Located
Your home's circuit board is an important safety feature that limits the amount of power moving through your home's electrical circuits. The circuit board will contain several switches, often labeled by room, that are connected to the corresponding circuit. These circuits are connected to circuit breakers — if the breaker senses too much power going to a specific circuit, it will "trip," or turn off, to prevent electrical overload.
Every home is different, but circuit breakers are typically tucked away in low-traffic but still accessible parts of the home like the basement, garage or utility room. In apartments, it could be in a shared hallway or laundry room. Occasionally, it will be outside. If you're not sure where yours is, consult an electrician.
3. The Age of Your Roof and Appliances
Knowing the age of your roof and appliances will help you keep track of when they need to be maintained and replaced. If you have the original purchase agreement records, the installation date of your roof and some appliances may be included. If you don't have these records, you can get an estimate of your roof's age by contacting the previous owners and asking, checking building permits, or getting a professional roof inspection.
On some appliances, the install date is sometimes displayed on the appliance itself. Water heater tanks, for example, will typically have both an install date and a replace-by date. The appliance's serial number is another surefire way to learn the age of an appliance. There are even helpful online tools like this appliance age finder.
4. How to Change Your Filters
Maintaining your home's HVAC system is essential to both your comfort and the longevity of these systems. To replace the filter, you'll first need to turn off your HVAC system and locate the return air duct. On most systems, the rest of this process will be as simple as removing the grille, tossing the old filter and replacing it with a new one. Depending on your system, however, yours might be different. Consult the manufacturer's manual or contact a professional if you have questions.
5. How to Change Your Smoke Alarms
Depending on whether your home has battery-operated or hardwired smoke detectors, regularly checking and changing them is essential to maintaining your home. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and replace any units that are over 10 years old.
Understanding these five essential aspects of homeownership empowers you to respond confidently to emergencies, plan for maintenance and keep your home running smoothly. Take the time to familiarize yourself with these details now so you're prepared when it matters most. A little knowledge goes a long way toward protecting your home and enjoying it for years to come.
