Five essential DIY skills you'll need if you've just bought a new home

Buying a house is a big decision, but it is an exciting and memorable event as well. As a new homeowner, you will probably want to do a few things to spruce up your new home and truly make it yours. It is essential to have some basic knowledge of skills that will keep a home maintained and comfortable. Especially if you have materials laying around such as acrylic sheet, you can repurpose them into anything!

Here are five essential DIY skills you will need if you've just bought a house. Basic Plumbing Know how and where to turn off the water main for the house. If there is a water leak, it is important to know how to shut off the source. Show everyone else in the house how to turn it off because the quicker the water can be turned off in a major leak, the less overall damage will be done. Another important basic plumbing skill includes unclogging a blocked toilet. Always have a plunger available and know how to use it. Enough said. If you have a leaky tap, simply replacing the washer or tightening the tap at the base could save you some money. Also, you can remove mineral deposits on tap parts with vinegar and a scouring pad. Furthermore, make sure you know how to change the temperature of your water heater. Lowering the temperature is usually as easy as turning a dial. This simple thing will slow mineral buildup in your pipes and water heater. Landscaping It is a good idea to look at your landscape and make a plan with what you have. Sometimes prior residents plant trees or plants that are going to cause more harm than good. It could be helpful enlist a professional to assess the landscape, so you can make decisions about the end result. At the very least, take care of the front garden because that is the first impression of your house. Wall Repair and Painting Whether you want to update the existing paint in the house, or do some touch-ups, it's a good idea to have some know-how when it comes to completing a quality paint job. At the very least, a homeowner should know how to fill in nail holes, prime a wall, and apply paint. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y36dHog22yY[/embed] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y36dHog22yY Maintain Appliances Simply maintaining your major appliances can save you from hefty repair bills. You can extend the life of all your appliances by keeping them clean. For example, empty the dryer vent of any fluff every time you do a load of laundry. Clean behind the fluff filter and in the duct that goes to the outside of the house. Consult the manuals for recommendations on how to clean and how often to clean each of your major appliances. A homeowner should always keep in mind that you are never going to be completely done with jobs around your house. Get to know your local hardware store so you can do small repairs and maintenance yourself. There always home improvements that can be made.