Learning the Ropes: 5 DIY Skills That Every Homeowner should Learn

When a person takes on homeownership, they need to protect their home investment. Knowing some basic skills will save them money and help them maintain that new home. There are many skills a homeowner should learn, but five skills stand out above the others. Though major, renovations, plumbing and electrical work call for hiring professionals, some jobe can be done by a skilled homeowner.

What About Remodeling Projects?

When the bathroom or kitchen needs a major remodel, it is time to visit Bathroom Showrooms or kitchen showrooms for ideas and needed products. Visiting a showroom with full-size mockups helps the homeowner decide on a color scheme and products they like. This gives them style choices and a chance to price everything out.

The scope of a renovation project and the homeowner skill level will determine whether to hire a professional. Before considering any remodeling project, make an effort to develop the skills that will be needed.

5 Important skills For Homeowners to Learn

There are many important skills to learn, but the five most important homeowner skills include:

1. Finding the home’s water shut off valves and how to turn them off and back on. This skill can save a homeowner thousands of dollars in water damage. If a leak develops, turn off the appropriate water valve and determine if you can fix the leak or if a plumber should be called. Check all exposed pipes periodically to check for leaks. Learning how to repair simple pipe leaks yourself can save you time, money, and inconvenience. There are home pipe repair kits and products such as pipe bonding putty and pipe repair tape.
2. Learn how to regulate the water temperature in the water heater. Also, learn how to turn the water heater off or the water supply off to a broken or leaking water heater. Find out what the optimum temperature setting is for personal use, dishwashers, etc., and adjust the water heater temperature accordingly. When you travel, turn down the water heater temperature to save money. Learn water heater maintenance.
3. Learn to paint walls and ceilings and to touch up damaged areas of paint. You will need to patch dents or cracks in the plaster or wallboard with a patching compound. Let it dry, sand it, prime it, and then paint it. Painters are expensive, so painting your own rooms will save money. Also, learn to locate studs in the wall for hanging art or mirrors securely.
4. Learn basic appliance repair to save money and keep appliances running. Take classes on appliance repair at your local community center or high school adult education, or watch YouTube tutorials and purchase how-to books. This includes changing filters in the HVAC system regularly.
5. Learn how to unclog a sink, shower drain, or toilet and save the money a plumber would charge. Learn how to use a plunger or a plumbing snake or auger. Try to fix the clog and, if you don’t succeed, call a plumber.

More Skills That are Important

In addition to these skills, learn to respect and deal with the electrical systems in the home. Cut the power before attempting to work on anything electric. This may involve unplugging an appliance or cutting electrical power at the box. Know what breaker goes to what area of the house and label them clearly. If the home has gas to fuel the furnace or other appliances, learn to turn it off with the shut-off valve. Exterior maintenance is also important. The more home maintenance you do yourself, the more money you save and the better your home will look and function.

Bonus tip: Knowing how to decorate your house can also help a lot if you’re wanting to really make it feel like “home”. High quality furniture can set your interior design apart from the rest, we highly recommend checking out if you are looking for ideas.