There’s no greater feeling than purchasing a first home. Walking around the perfect home, looking into rooms picturing where a future child will be, or fantasizing about that theater or man-cave (I still lack this…too many of the former). However, it comes with feelings of anxiety and questions as well. How do we maintain this monstrous investment? What happens if storm damage occurs? Are we capable of doing these things on our own? I’m here to inform you that “YES”, you absolutely can. Short of replacing HVAC systems and roofs, I’ve done everything in my home, from plumbing to electrical repairs since we purchased it in 2012. Of course, I have an aircraft maintenance background and do well with schematics and all tools, but that hasn’t stopped me from looking up videos on occasion. Let’s get to the absolute must first looks though.
Before any diy projects or upgrades, and I do mean ANY, you must ensure a few things are taken care of. I say this for the integrity and longevity of your home…and your wallet.
No. 1: Your Foundation
So many learn the hard way here, especially those with full basements. Walk around your home and take a look at the slope or grade of dirt against the foundation. Is it leading away? Is it leading towards? If it looks like it’s slope towards the house, that’s also where water goes, which means water is or will eventually intrude into the basement or crawlspace. Grading can be done by bringing dirt into that area. The grade shall fall not fewer than 6 inches (152 mm) within the first 10 feet. Next, go inside and look at the basement walls if you have them. There may be some cracks and some may be normal. Concrete cracks; it’s what it does and is going to happen. Vertical cracks that are seeping you can fill (or get a foundation company) with polyurethane crack filling kits. I’ve had luck with Radonseal’s kits in the past and leaks have never returned. https://amzn.to/44cZTFs If you have plans on finishing a basement, there are waterproofing paints but I have no experience doing this. I’d recommend taking care of the cracks and diverting water away as a primary means of control.
No. 2: Gutters
Some homes don’t have gutters and even professionals highly recommend their installations. Make sure these are in working order. Walk around and look at each span to see that they are sloped towards the respective downspouts. If they are not, it could be as simply as an adjustment or replacing some hardware. Then, look at your downspouts. Where are they taking the water? Do they have small splashguards? If they are buried, make sure they are exiting unencumbered. Sometimes, buried downspout systems are done with plastic corrugated piping and degrade, break, or roots damage them. Some methods are: 1. Bury a minimum of 10 foot section of pvc and attach to a pop-up emitter set in drainage gravel. If you want to go all out, they can be connected together and then diverted away, where allowable, but this method will involve a lot of trench work (hand or machine). I’d advise calling to mark all lines prior to digging. 2. Dig a small trench out 4 – 6 feet, lay pond liner, and decorate with small to large stone as a sort of dry-bed. Pinterest is an excellent way to find ideas for this.
No. 3: Sump Pump
There’s not much to say here. Make sure these are operating at all times if you have a basement. Some take-up groundwater, some take water from a drain at the bottom of walkout steps and push it back out, some pits are for HVAC drain water. If there is a dry spell, pour some water into the pit to cycle it. It’s also a good idea to pull up on the float switch to make sure it functions properly. Make sure the battery to the emergency pump is filled at least every 6 months with distilled water. This is easily done by disconnecting everything first, removing all caps to the cells, and filling to the plate, usually a piece of plastic you’ll see hanging down from the top. If there’s normally standing water, which is fine, I like to put a cup of vinegar in the pit to stop smells. Finally, make sure the lid is sealed off well. Some areas are more prone to Radon but you’re typically informed about this prior to move-in. This can be tested for and systems are available.
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N0. 4: Exhaust and Vents
Look around at all vents and covers to make sure all the louvers are there, grates are in place, and caulk is in good shape. This keeps critters and animals out, as well as water intrusion. Now, look at your dryer vent. Is it serviceable? Look inside where it attaches and make sure it is sealed and not dumping humid, moist air right against the inside of the house. This will be a favorite for any wood destroying insect and will damage the wood over time. It needs to be exhausted straight outside. Look down the pipe (if you can) for blockages or heavy buildup. This can be a fire concern but is super simple to maintain. Get a brush kit that attaches to drill, run it in and out a few times, and put it on your schedule to do every 6 months. While your at it, use the brush end to clean the coils of your refrigerator (it will thank you). Make sure to clean out the dryer filter before each load and tell the kids too 🙂 When this gets clogged, it builds up heat and creates a buildup inside the dryer that must be cleaned as well.
No. 5: HVAC Drains
Each HVAC unit has a drain line used for condensates as the evaporator runs. If the drain line is clogged, it may fill the drain pan and trigger the shutoff switch. Or, it may start smelling musty, or it may start overflowing onto drywall or insulation. The line should be diverted into a sump pit or outside but you should be cleaning it at least once a year prior to starting up the A/C. This is easily done by removing the small cap, taking a wire brush and cleaning out the pvc pipe if it has a bend (p-trap) near the top access, and pouring a cup of vinegar or bleach down each line you have. I have one unit in the attic and one in the basement. I get my wife to tell me if she sees anything coming from the drain line when I pour the vinegar through the line when I’m in the attic. Vinegar does just as well at breaking down gunk inside pipes.
Hopefully, this puts some of your worries to bed so you can sit back and enjoy some TV on that wall you just decorated because the big things are taken care of 🙂
What do you think? Tell me in the comments.
God Bless