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Tips for First Time Homeowners

Ron Morris • Jun 01, 2021

10 Tips for First Time Homeowners

If you have hardwood flooring do not spend money on expensive “hardwood floor cleaners.” Instead mix 1 part Windex with 10 parts water in a spray bottle.
If you have an interior door that rubs on the jamb and is hard to close, try removing one of the hinge screws opposite of where it is rubbing and insert a 3” screw. Most times it will pull the jamb back enough to prevent rubbing.
Keep your gutters clean-if you do not the water will sheet flow over blocked gutters and run down the exterior walls of your home. It could enter your home through old and brittle caulking on the way down and then into your basement if you have bad drainage.
Bathroom caulking-If you have ceramic in a tub or shower it should always be caulked in the 90-degree corners, where the ceramic sits on the tub and where the tub sits on a ceramic floor. You always want to prevent the water from contacting the underlying wood members.
Running toilets are costing you money. Most times it is the rubber flapper that needs replaced. They can be purchased for a few dollars at a hardware store.
Stop-do not call an electrician if you have outlets that do not work. Check these 2 things. First, all outlets that are within 6’ of a water source are called GFCI protected. They are overly sensitive and trip very easily. Their purpose is to prevent shock. Typically, some of the outlets on your kitchen counter, bath vanities, and at your electrical panel will have test and reset buttons. Find the one that is tripped and reset it. If it continues to trip, then you should call an electrician. Secondly, many rooms in your home may be on what is called a switched receptacle-this is where ½ of a duplex outlet will be worked by a wall switch. The purpose is so when entering a room without an overhead light you can flip the switch to access a lamp.
Sealing decks. If done properly this will further the lifespan of the wood members 2-fold. Make sure you do this when the wood is completely dry. The best time is mid-summer. If you are a do it yourselfer and want to build a deck, make sure that all your lumber is rated “ground contact”.
If you need window parts, be aware of contractors who tell you that the “whole window needs replaced.” There is a website called swisco.com that can get almost any window part that was made. A neighbor got an estimate for $1,250 for a window replacement. He was able to get the part on this website for under $5.
Hose bibbs-VERY IMPORTANT-as soon as the weather starts to get chilly make sure to turn off your exterior hose spigots at the interior hose bibb shutoff, unhook any hoses and then turn on the exterior spigot to release any water that is trapped.
Do not spend hundreds of dollars on an exterminator to get rid of ants. Terro makes a gel product that if you follow the instructions will eliminate most problems.

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Building Strong Communities: The Impact of Supportive Services

By Jodie Ostoich • 07 Mar, 2024

IHA is committed to building strong communities. One way we do this is by offering supportive services to tenants in our communities. Below are two success stories directly from our supportive services staff.