Moving into a new house, whether you’re a first-time homeowner, downsizing, or remodeling, is an exhilarating yet daunting experience, and you might be filled with questions. What should be on your moving day to-do list? What basic repairs should you be prepared to handle in your new home?
This new homeowner guide offers 16 practical tips for locating essential systems and performing routine maintenance. It’s tailored to help you stay organized, ease your moving process, and equip you with the knowledge needed for a smooth transition.
For now, we want to lend a neighborly hand to all those new homeowners and help them learn everything they need to know about their new homes.
Things Every Homeowner Should Know Where to Find
Things Every Homeowner Should Know How to Do
Fun Facts Most Homeowners Don’t Know About Their House
Related: The 25 Most Neighborly Cities in America
8 Things Every Homeowner Should Know Where to Find in Their New House
Knowing where these items are located in your home is crucial. Whether you do it during your home inspection or on moving day, make a list of where these important things are located in your home so you can find them when you need them.
1. Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
These devices alert you to fire or gas leaks. It’s crucial that you test them to ensure they are in working order when you locate them.
Where to find them:
- A smoke detector is usually installed on ceilings or walls near bedrooms or the living room. You might need a ladder or a broom handle to reach and test them, especially if they are placed high up.
- A carbon monoxide detector should be placed around 5 feet from the floor, on a wall in places like your bedroom.
2. Main Water Shut-Off Valve
These valves control your home’s entire water supply. It’s important to know its location for quick access in case of leaks or when doing major plumbing work.
Where to find it:
- Look in the basement, utility area, or outside near the foundation.
In the event of a leaking appliance, knowing where your water shut-offs are is critical in preventing expensive water damage. Note: Each water source in your home (toilets, sinks, washers, etc.) should have its own shut-off valve.
3. Electrical Circuit Breaker Box
Your circuit breaker controls electricity flow to different areas of your home or appliances.
Where to find it:
- Check the basement, garage, or utility closet for a metal box with switches.
4. Gas Shut-Off Valve
The gas valve shuts off the gas supply to your home in emergencies. Your home’s gas system is typically equipped with two kinds of gas shutoff valves: the main shutoff valves, which control the overall flow of gas to your entire house, and individual shutoff valves for controlling gas flow to specific appliances.
Where to find it:
- The main shutoff valve is usually located near the gas meter outside your home, and individual valves are located behind each gas appliance.
5. HVAC System
HVAC systems control your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Key components include:
- The furnace or heating system.
- Central air conditioning unit.
- The thermostat.
Where to find them:
- The furnace might be in the basement, attic, or utility closet, while the A/C unit will be a large box with a fan outside your home. The thermostat is usually located on a wall in a central living space.
6. Hot Water Heater
Standard water heaters are tall, cylindrical tanks, often with visible pipes and valves connected at the top. This appliance heats and stores hot water for your home.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your water heater at 120°F (49°C) to reduce the risk of scalding, especially in households with young children or elderly members.
Where to find it:
- Look in the basement, garage, or utility closet.
7. Main Sewer Line or Septic System Access
These systems carry waste from your home to the municipal sewer or your septic system.
Where to find them:
- Sewer line access points are often in the basement, a crawl space, or outside the home.
- For a septic system, the tank and its access points are usually located underground in the yard, with the area sometimes indicated by a slight mound or differently colored grass.
8. Attic and Basement Access
These are the entry points to your home’s attic and basement areas. Ensure these areas are easily accessible for safety and convenience.
Where to find them:
- Look for a hatch or door in the ceiling for attic access. Basement access is typically via stairs from the main level.
Things Every Homeowner Should Know How to Do
Being a homeowner sometimes means rolling up your sleeves for some essential maintenance tasks and repairs. Here are some skills you should be familiar with for the upkeep and safety of your home.
1. Reset Your Circuit Breaker
To identify a tripped breaker, open your circuit breaker box and look for the breaker that’s in the “Off” position or stuck in the middle. This is the tripped breaker.
- Unplug and Turn Off Appliances: Go to the area of your home affected by the outage. Unplug appliances and turn off all lights to prevent overload when the power comes back on.
- Reset the Breaker: Firmly flip the switch on the tripped breaker fully to the “Off” position, then turn it back to “On.” This should reset the circuit and restore power.
2. Shut Off Main Water and Gas in Emergencies
If you’ve got a leak or are doing some plumbing, you’ll want to turn off your main water supply.
- Turning off water: For most valves, turn it clockwise to close it. But, if yours has a lever, you’ll turn it so it’s perpendicular to the pipe.
(Quick tip: give it a try before you actually need to, so you’re ready if the time comes.)
If you smell gas (hint: it smells like rotten eggs), it’s time to leave the house. This isn’t a DIY job. Call emergency services or your gas company from a safe distance.
- Turning off gas for appliance installation or repair? In these cases, turn the valve a quarter turn until it’s perpendicular to the pipe. Remember, after turning it off for any reason, it should always be turned back on by a qualified professional to ensure your family’s safety.
3. Perform Basic Toilet Repairs
If you’re concerned about an overflowing toilet while doing repairs, it’s usually a good idea to begin by turning off the water to the toilet before starting. This valve can be found near the floor behind the toilet.
- Fix a running toilet: Inside your toilet tank, there’s a rubber part called a flapper. It opens to let water out when you flush and seals back to fill up the tank. If the toilet keeps running, check if the flapper is sealing properly. It might just need an adjustment or replacement.
- Clogged toilet? Grab a plunger. Create a seal over the hole at the bottom of the bowl, then give a few firm, upward, and downward plunges. This often dislodges whatever’s causing the blockage.
If you encounter leaks around the toilet base or complex internal issues, it’s time to call a plumber.
4. Change HVAC Filters
HVAC filters are mesh screens that trap dust and allergens, ensuring clean air circulates through your heating and cooling system. They’re found either in the main HVAC unit, in air return vents, or in ceiling or wall-mounted air handlers.
Change your filters every 1-3 months, depending on your system and household needs (like pets or allergies).
- Finding the right filter: Before buying a new filter, check the printed description on the edge of your current one so you can ensure you get the right size.
- Changing filters: Locate the filter, slide it out, and check its condition. If it’s clogged with dust, it’s time for a new one. Slide in the replacement, making sure it faces the correct direction (there’s usually an arrow on the side indicating airflow direction).
5. Unclog Drains
If you encounter a slow-draining sink in your new house, don’t worry. Unclogging drains is a breeze most of the time.
- Identifying the clog: Common culprits are hair in bathroom drains and food particles in kitchen sinks.
- Kitchen and bathroom essentials: Start with a plunger. If it’s a sink, cover the overflow hole with a wet cloth, then plunge vigorously. Before resorting to harsh chemicals, try pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain, followed by hot water.
6. Patch Holes in Walls
Dealing with minor wall damage is a common part of home maintenance, especially when moving into a new home, replacing wall art, or after redecorating.
- Simple patching: Small holes from nails or screws are easy to fix. You’ll need some spackle, a putty knife, and sandpaper. Apply spackle with the knife, let it dry, then sand it smooth.
- Touch up paint: Once the spackle is dry and sanded, touch up the area with matching paint. Keeping a small amount of paint from each room for these occasions is a smart move for any homeowner.
7. Replace Light Bulbs and Fixtures
Changing bulbs is one of the simplest tasks and only requires spare light bulbs.
- When a bulb burns out: Turn off the fixture, unscrew the old bulb, and screw in a new one of the correct size and wattage.
- Fixture updates: For more significant updates like replacing a light fixture, always turn off the power at the circuit breaker first. If you’re not confident in electrical work, this might be a job for an electrician.
8. Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters can lead to water damage on your roof and walls. Regular cleaning, especially in fall and spring, can prevent this.
- The process: Use a ladder to reach your gutters and remove debris by hand or with a gutter scoop. Flush the gutters and downspouts with a hose to clear any remaining blockages.
Always use a sturdy ladder and have someone spot you if possible. If your gutters are hard to reach, consider hiring a professional.
While you don’t need to master these skills before move in day, it’s a good idea to be prepared!
Final Thoughts
Your new home checklist will likely be much longer, and your move in process will include items like updating your new address with local utility providers and credit card companies, as well as setting up internet service.
Just remember that whether you’re still house hunting, purchasing new furniture for your first house, preparing to downsize, or remodeling your space, you may have a few items that need to go into storage.
To keep your belongings safe and out of the way in a nearby, convenient storage unit, check out Neighbor, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace that offers safe, affordable units for your needs.
Simplify your move and explore options on Neighbor’s Self Storage Near Me page.
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