What Every New Homeowner Should Know

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Are you a new Ankey or Huxley homeowner, or are you currently in the process of purchasing a new home? If so, this blog is for you! Even if you have been in your current home for years now, the following tips on maintaining and inspecting your property may prove very useful.

 

Potential Water Problems

According to real estate expert Sid Davis, “Water is 90 percent of a homeowner’s problems.” The areas of the home that are most susceptible to water intrusion and damage are the basement, around the foundation, and the roof. Once water begins to leak into these areas, it can cause major problems such as mold, rot, and corrosion, costing homeowners hundreds to thousands of dollars in repair costs.

Do a thorough inspection of your new home. Check all plumbing fixtures for leakage, and look in the bathrooms,  kitchen, and laundry room for any signs of leaks. If you find large stains on walls or ceilings, you may have serious water damage that needs to be repaired immediately. On the other hand, some leaks can be simply fixed by tightening a loose fixture or applying caulk around doors and windows to prevent moisture from seeping into the house.

Take your inspection outside, and look around the home's foundation to make sure your downspouts and downspout extensions are positioned correctly. The water should be routed away from the house, and the flow should be at least five feet (preferably downhill) from the foundation. If you need help rerouting your gutters, Hedrick can evaluate the routing of your system to determine if it’s channeling water correctly. Make sure that if you have landscaping around your yard, the slope of the soil is not making it so rainwater flows toward your house. Point sprinklers away from the house as well.

When it comes to your gutter system, it is very important to keep it clear of debris by having gutters cleaned and maintained regularly. If they get clogged with leaves and branches, water will start pouring out of them near to the foundation of your house, and water may seep down the sides of walls, causing all kinds of water damage to your home. If you have regular gutters without gutter covers, grab a ladder and climb up with a hose to clean them out. If you’re uneasy about cleaning out your own gutters or don’t want to hassle with it, Hedrick Construction offers gutter services to get the job done for you. We also offer patent-pending LeafX Gutter Protection to greatly reduce the need for gutter maintenance by preventing snow and ice, leaves, and other debris from entering your gutters while allowing water to flow freely through them.

 

Inspecting Your Roof

Your roof should be inspected annually to keep it up to date and well maintained to avoid small, unnoticed damage from turning into large, costly problems. If you are able and experienced enough to inspect your own roof, there are several areas you should be sure to include in your inspection. Walk your roof and remove any debris, moss, or mold that you might find. Check your chimney, vents, and any skylights for dried out or disintegrating caulk, cracks, or other damage, and arrange for necessary repairs. Also check for any ripped, broken, warping, or missing shingles that need to be fixed.

 

Be Aware of Shutoff Locations

Locate the main electrical shutoff, as well as the main water shutoff valve. Make sure that everyone in your household knows where they are located and that these areas are easily accessible. Inform family members of where the shutoff valves for sinks and toilets are as well, and make sure they know how to turn them on and off to prevent flooding in case of an emergency.

 

These tips can help experienced and new homeowners alike to prevent damage and save on home repair costs. If we can help you with any roofing, gutter, window, siding, or insulation repairs, installation or services, give us a call at 515-597-7663, or contact us on our website.

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