If you’re a first-time homeowner or even just a renter, there are a few common sense home care tips that everyone should have. After all, you don’t want to have to call out a plumber (or wait for your landlord to get around to it) if it’s a simple matter of changing an o ring or tightening a gasket.
Trust the Internet But Verify
There is a lot of excellent advice and information on the internet, but not all of it is reliable. If you’re having a home repair issue, you might be able to find an answer posted to a forum that saves you from having to bring in a contractor, but it’s a risk. You don’t want your life hack to turn out to be a life ruiner, so make sure to do further googling or talk to a professional before you take a hammer to anything.
Have the Tools Handy
That said, it’s hard to take a hammer to anything at all if you don’t have a hammer. Before moving in, make sure to invest in a set of simple tools: hammer, wrench, screwdriver, pliers, measuring tape, level, all the usual suspects. Keep your toolbox somewhere you can find it when you need it. Also, do yourself a favor: make sure they’re good tools that won’t break when you need them most.
Know Your Limits
Last and most importantly: know when you’re out of your depth. If you’re renting, ill-advised home repairs can get you (and your deposit) in serious trouble. If you’re the owner, that can-do homeowner spirit can get you into expensive and even dangerous spots. There are all kinds of home problems that you can absolutely fix yourself, with the right tools and a little common sense, but the most important common sense of all is to know your limits.
