A majority of Americans will be homeowners at some point in their lives
Riva Sharples | Editor
Home ownership – it’s a goal many pursue in life. But once a first home is acquired, that is just the beginning – then comes all the rest of it: landscaping, decorating, renovations, and maintaining the home, which, for most people, is their largest investment.
Nationwide, 65.8% of Americans are homeowners. In the Midwest, the percentage is nearly 70%, according to recent statistics from Consumer Affairs, a US government think tank. That means gutters, landscaping, renovations, repairs, insurance, home buying and selling, and much more is a reality for most. Even those who rent have a stake in understanding the basics of the place they live.
This week and next, The Republic newspaper will take a special look into homeownership and its related fields, including interior design, insurance, buying and selling real estate, renovation, landscaping, and more. Check out this week’s articles inside.
To kick us off, here are the seven major home elements every owner – or renter, for that matter – should understand about their dwelling, according to experts.
Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Having working smoke detectors in your home or dwelling is the number one way to prevent a fire and to keep you and your family safe. But it’s not enough just to have a detector – you need to pay careful attention to the maintenance of the detector (test it now and then!) and make sure any batteries that are in use are changed regularly (every six months is recommended).
Only 55% of homes or dwelling nationwide have a Carbon Monoxide Detector, according to statistics. If you don’t have one, it is recommended for any home or dwelling that utilizes any gas appliances or propane heating. Detectors are relatively inexpensive and can be found at your local hardware store. A carbon monoxide detector should be placed about 5 feet from the floor, on a wall, in places like a bedroom, experts say.
Main Water Valve Shut -Off
Do you know where your water shut-off value is for your home? These valves control a 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. In the event of a leaking appliance, knowing where water shut-offs are is critical in preventing expensive water damage. If you don’t know where yours is located, look first in the basement, a utility area, or outside near the foundation, say experts.
In addition to one main value for the home, each water source in your home (toilets, sinks, washers, etc.) should have its own shut-off valve for localized control. These are usually directly behind, beneath, or very near the sink, toilet, or appliance. It’s good to look at your appliances to locate these valves before you are scrambling to control a water problem. Teenage children should be taught about these valves as well.
Electrical Circuit Breaker Box
Your circuit breaker box controls electricity flow to different areas of your home and to appliances. It is a metal box with switches that is usually located in the basement, garage, or utility closet. It’s always important to know where your circuit breaker box is in the event that a circuit is overloaded and goes out or if you need to turn off a circuit. Experts suggest that teenage children be taught about the circuit box as well, and remind homeowners and renters alike to make sure that circuits are labeled, indicating what each controls (kitchen, dining room, bedroom, etc.). Again, checking out and labeling a circuit box is best done before you are scrambling around in the dark trying to fix or identify a problem.
Gas Shut-Off Valve
If your home uses propane gas, there should be a gas shut-off value that can be used to shut off the supply of gas to your home during an emergency. 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. The main shutoff valve is usually located near the gas meter outside your home, and individual valves are located behind each gas appliance.
HVAC System
The HVAC system controls your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Key components include: The furnace or heating system, a central air conditioning unit, and the thermostat. HVAC systems are a larger expense in a home, and routine maintenance is recommended for the unit(s) on a seasonal basis (at the start of heating season and again at the start of the cooling season). Many systems utilize filters that should be changed regularly as well. Depending on allergies in the home, pets, and other individual factors, filters are recommended to be changed every 1 to 6 months.
Hot Water Heater
Standard water heaters are the tall, cylindrical tanks, often with visible pipes and valves connected at the top, that are usually housed in the basement, garage, or utility closet of a home. This appliance heats and stores hot water for your home. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your water heater at no higher than 120°F to reduce the risk of scalding, especially in households with young children or elderly members.
Main Sewer Line or Septic System Access
These systems carry waste from your home to the municipal sewer or your septic system. Knowing where your home’s main line access point is located is important in the event of a problem. 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.