Do you or each of your home's occupants know what to do if there is a plumbing emergency in your home? Do you know where the water shut-off value is? I had a recent issue with a faulty toilet valve and if we didn't know how to shut off the water main we may have literally been headed down "Schitt's Creek".
Homeownership can be wonderful but it also comes with many responsibilities. It is important to be aware of the maintenance procedures necessary to keep the property in good condition and working order. It is also vital to understand the mechanisms in place should an emergency occur. Property needs to be maintained on a regular basis to prevent future damage.
If you are a new homeowner or plan to buy a home it is always recommended to have a professional home inspection before finalizing the purchase. Please see my prior blogpost explaining the Home Inspection here. In addition to the inspection, as part of due diligence in negotiating an offer, this is the buyers opportunity to learn about the inside operations of the home.
When we purchased our home, my husband who is an engineer type followed the inspector around the house with a notebook and took meticulous notes on each operating system. He learned about areas that could need future attention. This became a good reference tool for our home maintenance.
To put this in laymen's terms, think of your annual medical examination. A good doctor will discuss areas of potential concern and give the patient techniques for preventative care as well as wellness follow up.
Sometimes a household emergency may arise and it is very important to know how to address the situation. Before moving into a property, I suggest learning where all the shut-off emergency valves are. It is important to have a plan for anticipated home maintenance issues with a list of appropriate service vendors. As mentioned, I was inspired to write this blog after a plumbing leak occurred at my house. When an emergency occurs you may otherwise panic and scramble to find the contacts needed. A recent article in Growing Magazine cites the most common household emergencies and how to address them.
In anticipation of home maintenance issues that can occur, I put together a Home Maintenance checklist by season for my clients some time ago. If any interested reader is interested in a copy feel free to email me at wendy@wendybcb.com and put "Home Maintenance List" in the subject line.
With proper maintenance and a well formulated emergency plan you will be ready to ease into the New Year with peace of mind and not have to travel down "Schitt's Creek". Wishing you a great start to 2021.
Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham. She enjoys coffee, walking her dog, theater/arts, reading, writing, travel and meeting new people. She always welcomes the opportunity to have a virtual coffee now that we are amidst the “new normal”. Check out her website at www.wendybcb.com or her fb page @wendybcb as she posts up to date content to meet the ever changing marketplace.
