8 Things Every New Homeowner Should Know

We’re passionate about the restoration work we do. We love being able to help homeowners and business owners recover after damage or disaster and bring their property back to the way it was.

However, providing our customers with valuable information that allows them to prevent damage is also something we’re passionate about.

With that in mind, check out our top 8 homeowner tips that will help you avoid property damage and keep your home safe for years to come.

Make A Homeowner’s Binder

Storing all of your vital household information in one convenient place is one of the most important things you can do. Keeping home insurance information, receipts for appliance repairs, inspection dates, etc. in a binder allows you to easily access the information you need in case of emergency.

Bonus Homeowner Tip

Save a copy of your home insurance policy and contact information online. In the event of a fire, flood, or other major damage to your home, you want to be sure you can easily contact your insurance company and have the information you need to file a claim!

Create Seasonal Checklists

There are numerous resources available online that detail what you should check/replace in your home when the seasons change. Keep these checklists handy (maybe even in your homeowner’s binder) so you can stay on top of necessary repairs.

You can also learn how to keep your home safe when the weather changes from winter to spring in one of our recent blog posts.

Keep Your Gutters Clear

We talk about this homeowner tip a lot, but only because it’s so important! Clogged gutters and downspouts in any season cause so much damage to your home. Keep your gutters clear of leaves in the fall, debris throughout the spring and summer, and even ice in the winter.

Read more about the importance of cleaning your gutters here.

Locate Your Main Water Shutoff

Every homeowner needs to know how to shut off their water main. In the event of a burst pipe or leak, shutting off the water main quickly is crucial to prevent more extensive damage.

Review & Re-Label Breaker Panels

Labels on breaker boxes or panels can be extremely helpful when you’re trying to figure out which breaker goes to which switch or room in your home.

However, as a new homeowner, you may have no idea if those labels are correct. Most people don’t think of re-labeling the breaker box after home renovations or re-wiring projects.

Take some time to test each breaker switch and properly label them to help you save time in the future.

Septic System Maintenance

Not every home has a septic system, but according to the EPA, 1 in 5 homes in the United State have a septic system. These systems are more common in rural areas and it’s important to understand how to maintain them, especially if you’ve never had to deal with one before.

Bonus Homeowner Tips: Septic System Dos & Dont’s

Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, don’t start dumping chemical drain cleaners down it. Odds are they won’t fix anything and not all of them are rated safe to use for all types of pipes. 

The best place to check when it comes to a clogged sink is the P-trap (this is a u-shaped pipe) underneath your sink. Just be sure to turn off the water main and put a bucket underneath it before unscrewing the pipe and clearing out the clog!

Regularly Inspect Your Fireplace

When you move into a new home, likely your fireplace and chimney have been inspected prior to the final sale. However, this isn’t a one-and-done inspection.

Every homeowner should have their fireplace and chimney inspected annually to avoid potential fire damage and an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

We’re Always Here To Help

Lake City Restoration provides water damage cleanup, storm damage repair, and other necessary restoration services year-round. If you have questions, want homeowner tips, or are concerned it may have been damaged and needs to be restored, give us a call!

We are always available 24/7, so no matter the season, our experts are here to help get your home back to where it should be.