14 Tips for Dealing With Minor Home Repairs: What First-Time Homeowners Should Know

Congratulations! You’ve just bought your dream home in Albuquerque, NM or whatever other city strikes your fancy. It’s an exciting time to be a homeowner, but it comes with some added responsibilities. If you’ve been renting an apartment in a city like Scottsdale, AZ or renting a home in the outskirts of Kansas City, you’ve paid a premium to be able to relay any maintenance issues to your landlord. Now that you’re a homeowner, it may be a good idea to prepare for any possible leaks or breaks in the future by learning how to conduct some minor home repairs.

To get you started on this journey, Redfin reached out to experts in fields ranging from water infrastructure services to painting companies to learn more about minor home repairs and maintenance first-time homeowners should know. Read on to learn more.

1. Ensuring your tap water is safe to drink

Depending on where you live, drinking from the tap may be the norm. If that’s the case, you want to take some advice from Sidney D.K. Sogbor, CEO of Seadmok Water, a company specializing in water infrastructure services, and evaluate the quality before taking a sip.

“Before you think about making sure the tap water is safe to drink, get a sense of the quality of your tap water. Every year, most places offer a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) informing you of what’s in your water and what sorts of contaminants it may have. You can actually purchase a home water testing kit to have a little extra peace of mind. These are great to check for lead, bacteria, and pH levels. A water filter is usually a good solution if your water test shows that there are contaminants in your water. So just make sure it’s certified by NSF International and you know it’ll filter the pollutants that make you worried. 

Last, but not least, be sure to pay attention to your home’s plumbing. It’s a good idea to check the pipes every so often and replace them as needed to ensure that your water is safe – old pipes over time will slowly start to break down and introduce unwanted contaminants.”

2. Fixing a leaky faucet

One of the most common causes of calling a plumber – the leaky faucet. If you don’t want to pay a specialist out of the gate, pick up a wrench and check it out for yourself. Sidney of  Seadmok Water can walk you through a couple things to check before calling in reinforcements.

“Fixing a leaky faucet is one of those super easy DIY jobs any first time homeowner can tackle themselves. The first thing you’ll want to do is turn off the water supply to the pipe. There’s usually a valve under the sink that will turn off the water supply to the faucet. Next, make sure you plug the drain with a rag or sink stopper so you do not lose any small parts as you do the process

The second step is determining what kind of faucet you have (compression, ball, cartridge, or ceramic disk) because that makes a difference. Taking the handle apart and other components ensures you know what you are working with, so take it apart carefully and remember how everything was positioned as you put it back together again once you know what you are working with.

In compression faucets, worn out washers or O-ring are the most common problem but with other types you may have to change the valve cartridge. After you find the part that’s faulty and replace it, you can then turn the water back on to check for leaks. If it’s still dripping, then you might have missed something, so you’ll want to go back and look again.”

3. Unclogging a drain

Whether it’s your shower drain or the kitchen sink that’s baking up, a clogged drain is a common problem with a relatively easy fix. Use a little chemistry and elbow grease to get things flowing again. Sidney of Seadmok Water will walk you through the steps to take: 

“Usually, a blocked drain is something you can and should take care of yourself without needing a plumber. The first thing I always tell people to start with is boiling water. More often than not, boiling water down the drain will break up minor clogs caused by grease or soap build up. The next step is to grab a plunger if that doesn’t work. You’ll want to make sure that there is enough water in the sink so that when you plunge you are creating pressure and pushing the clog out, plunging firmly.

If the plunger doesn’t help you, you can try a drain snake. Drop the snake in slowly, and when it hits resistance, twist it a bit and pull it out. Most of the time you’ll pull the clog right out with it. There is also the baking soda and vinegar method. Just pour 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain, let it sit for 15 – 30 minutes and flush with hot water. The chemical reaction can help break down minor clogs.

If none of that works, you should check the P-trap under the sink. Unscrew the trap and empty it into a bucket if you have one. Run hot water down once you’re past the clog so any remaining buildup gets flushed out. If the clog keeps returning, that probably means you have a deeper blockage, and you might need a plumber.”

4. Learn to be efficient with your water use

In order to prevent any future issues and to keep your costs low, it’s a good idea to learn how to be efficient with your water use. Whether that be switching to energy efficient appliances or turning off the faucet when shaving, Sidney of Seadmok Water will give you all of his recommendations.

“Fixing leaks as soon as you see them is one of the easiest ways to save water around the house. Gallons can slip away over time, even from a small drip, so check on leaky faucets, running toilets, dripping shower heads and see to it they’re fixed.

Another great tip to upgrade to water efficient fixtures. There are low flow shower heads, faucets, and toilets that use less water than other fixtures. When shopping for these, buy those that have WaterSense labels as that means you’re getting the most efficient ones.

You can also save water by watering your yard/garden at the proper times. The best time to water your lawn or garden is early in the morning or late in the evening when less water evaporates. If you’re going a step further, consider setting up a rain barrel to gather rainwater for outdoor use.

Be sure that you’re also running full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine. It reduces how much water you’re using per item overall, and over the course of a lifetime that really adds up.

And then there’s also the simple stuff like, don’t leave the tap on when you’re brushing your teeth or shaving,  it’s an easy way to save a lot of water. You can save many gallons of water just by shortening your showers by a few minutes.”

5. Prevent decay of your gas lines

How many of you check your gas lines on a consistent basis? I’m guessing not many. “We can sometimes forget about our gas lines, but they need maintenance too,” says Gary Lombardo of Empire Plumbing NYC, a local law 152 and gas pipe contractor. “It starts with regular inspections to look for signs of corrosion and rust, as those typically come before decay. If the gas pipes are in the basement, make sure the walls are sealed to prevent moisture. Painting the gas pipes can also help to protect against water damage and drips. Every so often, check to make sure that the supports are tight and tighten any screws that are loose.”

6. Get your windows operating smoothly again

If you’re trying to enjoy some fresh air but dread the struggle of opening and closing your window, it may be time to give it a clean. “Over time, many homeowners find their windows begin to stick and move poorly,” shares Phillip Isaacs, owner of California Energy Consultant Service, a window, roofing, siding, and HVAC company. “Using mild soap and water to clean dirt buildup from the track and inner frame can help. Applying silicone spray lubricant to the same areas after cleaning can really improve the operation.”

7. Clean your windows

There’s often debate over the best way to clean a window, but Phillip Isaacs of California Energy Consultant Service is here to weigh in with his recommendations. “I am often asked what the best window cleaning method is,” says Phillip. “Nothing beats equal parts water and vinegar, using a microfiber cloth or newspaper to avoid streaks. It’s always best to clean windows on a cool cloudy day to keep the solution from drying too fast, which can leave marks on the glass surface.”

8. Inspect and clean your siding

To prevent future issues down the line, you’ll want to inspect and clean your siding every year. “Small areas of excessive dirt, dry rot or missing paint and caulking can lead to huge water damage and pest issues,” says Phillip Isaacs of California Energy Consultant Service. “Your home’s exterior is the armor protecting the structure – a little maintenance goes a long way.”

9. Keep your roof clean

Replacing roofing can be expensive. To get ahead of any possible repairs, start implementing some routines now to prolong the life of your roof. “Keep the roof surface and gutter system clean, inspect for damage, ensure proper ventilation, trim nearby trees which may drop debris, and repair or replace damaged shingles or tiles,” advises Phillip Isaacs of California Energy Consultant Service. “A little TLC can help protect your roof’s watertight integrity and likely prolong the life of your roof.”

10. Fix a toilet that isn’t flushing well

Though most plumbing should be left to the professionals, The Drain Guys, a plumbing service based in Maryland, recommend trying one quick fix first if your toilet isn’t flushing well. “Plumbing can be risky to DIY for a first time buyer. However, typically if a toilet isn’t flushing well you can buy a replacement valve at your local hardware store and install it yourself,” they recommend. “This will save you $500 dollars in having to replace a toilet.”

11. Inspect your HVAC regularly

For those with a HVAC system, you’ll want to listen up to the advice Phillip Isaacs of California Energy Consultant Service has for you. “We replace a lot of HVAC systems that, with a little proactive maintenance, could likely have been prevented,” says Phillip. “We recommend you inspect and replace your air filter every three to twelve months, consider installing smart thermostats for maximum efficiency, and schedule an HVAC tune up twice a year. A little prevention could save you not only energy, but costly wear and tear on your HVAC system.”

12. Do your own painting if you’re okay with imperfection

If you’re willing to give your own painting a try, consider starting in places that aren’t the center of attention. “Painting is easy. Painting well is hard,” shares Deaton Painting, a painting service based in Montgomery County, Maryland. “For the DIY-er, we recommend painting guest bedrooms where you don’t typically go everyday. This way if it doesn’t look perfect, it’s okay. Also, it’s easy to put a light color on top of a light color. However, putting a dark color on top of a light color will require more coats.”

13. Replace fireplace doors

To add a little character to your house, consider switching things up in the living room if you have an older home. “Many homeowners neglect their fireplace,” says Blackburn Chimney, a company offering chimney and fireplace services in the Maryland and Washington D.C. area. “If you’ve bought an older house, a really pretty upgrade is new fireplace doors. You can buy new doors for around $400. Installation is not too difficult if you have basic tools. A nice set of new doors can really make your living room stand out.”

14. Conduct a deep clean

One of the hardest but most essential routines to develop is a consistent deep clean of your new home. Why not start with one to make the place feel like yours? “We always recommend getting a deep clean if you’ve bought a new house,” says Swept Away Cleaners, a professional cleaning service in Montgomery County, Maryland. “It always feels great to get rid of the dirt and grime from a previous owner. We highly recommend cleaning the inside of your kitchen cabinets and window sills. These are areas typically neglected that will make your home feel much cleaner.”

Conclusion: Minor home repairs for less-experienced homeowners

Obviously home maintenance is a challenging task that asks a lot of the homeowners. If you have to call in reinforcements to fix something that’s out of your wheelhouse, that’s okay. Make sure they’re a trusted company with positive references, like any of the wonderful experts who have shared their tips in this article. 

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