Being a new homeowner in Regina can seem overwhelming. Here are a few tips on how to improve your home and to save a few dollars doing it.
Tips for new homeowners
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Check a warm fridge’s temperature dial
Make sure it hasn’t been turned way down by accident. Kids may have played with it, or someone may have bumped the knob. Make sure that containers and food don’t block the vents as they provide the flow of cold air.
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Get a low flow showerhead.
The showerhead is the second heaviest water users, and also huge energy eaters since 70 percent of the water is heated. By reducing hot-water consumption in the bathroom, a low flow unit pays for itself. Many of the newest low flow showerheads use new technology to provide a high flow feel, so you won’t have to settle for low water pressure.
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Stop leaks under the sink
Pull back the metal plates where the pipes enter the exterior walls of your kitchen, you might see some gaps around the pipes. Water can leak through here, costing you money, and possibly wreaking things surrounding it. Use spray expanding foam to seal the gaps. Don’t completely fill the gaps, as the foam will expand.
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Stop Leaks Under Doors
If you can feel a breeze or see daylight under your exterior doors, that’s bad news. Most thresholds adjust up or down with just a few twists of a screw. Turn all the screws until the door opens and closes without much drag, and drafts are eliminated.
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Install A Ceiling Fan
Moving air can increase evaporation from your skin and helps keep you cool, at higher temperatures. If you keep your thermostat set above 78 degrees, each degree above can save you 5 to 10% on your air conditioning bill.
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Gutter Inspecting DIY
You don’t need a ladder for this one. Attach a hand mirror to the end of a long pipe, PVC is best, that you’ve cut at a 60* angle, so the mirror will reflect the inside of the gutter. Now you can inspect inside the gutter and see if it needs cleaning out.
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Check for mould
If you see a fungus near water pipes, waste lines, icemaker lines, or plumbing fixtures, chances are it’s sprung from a nearby leak. Let the water run while you check the pipes and surrounding area for damp sports. Water can travel in any direction, even up, if it gets into absorbent material like drywall, so source leaks can be some distance from the mould.
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Keep an eye on puddles near water heaters
Water heaters sometimes leak from the drain or relief valves, which are an easy fix. The tank, however, can also leak, and that is less easy to mend. The tank is lined with a thin coat of glass. Years of use could crack, causing the steel to rust away, resulting in a puddle. If left alone, the damaged tank will eventually rupture, resulting in an instant flood. Replace the time bomb as soon as you see it.
Still, need help?
Owning a home is a big job, it’s a huge investment and a lot of work. However, it is an incredibly positive thing! Keeping your home in the pristine condition you bought it in is easy, it just takes a bit of time and knowledge! If there are big renovations that are out of your skillset, don’t hesitate to contact Hybrid Renos in Regina, we can help!
