Tips for New Homeowners
Your Guide to Taking Care of Your Home
Practical tips from Acts Housing staff and alumni to help you maintain, protect, and enjoy your home for years to come.
About Acts
Every Homeowner Started Somewhere
For 30 years, we’ve been coaching Milwaukee and Rock County families through their homeownership journey—one brave step at a time.
Homeownership is a Journey
Congratulations on becoming a homeowner, or taking steps toward it! Owning a home is one of life’s greatest achievements, but it also comes with new responsibilities. From seasonal maintenance to emergency preparedness, these tips will help you protect your investment and keep your home safe, comfortable, and efficient.
Whether you’re a new homeowner or have been in your home for years, this page is your go-to resource for practical advice you can use right away.
Tips from the Acts Housing Team
Create Your Homeowner's Command Center
When something breaks, you'll thank yourself for this one.
When I moved into my house, I found a box filled with owner’s manuals, maintenance records, warranties, and installation dates—what a gift from the last owner!
How to do it:
- Find a plastic file box (even a thrifted one) that fits under your sink or in a closet
- Label folders for appliances, plumbing, heating, and repairs
- Drop in manuals, receipts, and warranty info as you go
This simple system saves hours when something breaks, and it’s a thoughtful gift for future owners if you ever sell your home.
Keep Every Receipt and Manual
Because a little organization now saves a lot of frustration later.
Save every receipt and product manual, no matter how small the purchase. Years later, when you need a replacement part or warranty repair, you’ll already have the model number, website, and contact info ready to go.
Register new appliances online so manufacturers can honor warranties, and keep everything together—in a drawer, binder, or shoebox labeled “Home Receipts.”
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Small upgrades can make a big difference.
Lower your energy bills and improve comfort with a free or low-cost home energy audit through We Energies and Focus on Energy.
How to start:
- Visit focusonenergy.com/residential
- Select Home Energy Assessment and enter your ZIP code
- Choose an online or in-home audit
- Prepare for the visit by clearing access to your furnace and attic and gathering utility bills
Afterward, you’ll get a personalized report and recommendations for insulation, air sealing, or furnace tune-ups—plus potential rebates. Energy efficiency doesn’t just save money, it keeps your home safer and more comfortable through every season.
Prepare Your Home for Winter
Three simple things to protect your home before the cold sets in.
- Seal out drafts. Cold air seeps through the tiniest cracks. Check the rubber or foam weatherstripping around doors and windows. If it’s torn or you can see light through it, replace it before winter.
- Protect your outdoor water lines. Drain and store hoses. Shut off outdoor spigots and open them to let leftover water drip out. If your home doesn’t have frost-free spigots, add inexpensive faucet covers for insulation.
- Clean your gutters. Leaves and debris can cause water or ice buildup that damages shingles and gutters. Clear them before snow and freezing rain begin.
A quick weekend of prep can prevent costly repairs, and keep your home warm and dry all winter.
Cleaning P-Traps
An easy way to keep your sinks draining smoothly.
P-traps collect debris and buildup that can cause odors and clogs.
How to clean:
- Place a bucket under the trap to catch water
- Unscrew the trap (by hand or with pliers)
- Remove debris and scrub with a brush and vinegar
- Reattach and run water to test for leaks
A quick five-minute cleanout every few months keeps your pipes fresh and prevents bigger plumbing issues later.
How to Flush Your Water Heater
Keep your hot water flowing and your system efficient.
Steps:
- Turn off your water heater (and gas source, if applicable)
- Connect a garden hose to the drain outlet near the base
- Run the hose to a drain or large bucket
- Open the drain valve and flush until water runs clear
Sediment buildup reduces efficiency and can clog lines. Flushing your tank every six months helps your heater last longer and saves on energy bills.
Air Filter Maintenance Tips
Your air filters keep your home’s air clean, but only if you replace them regularly.
How to check and replace:
- Find every air filter location—return air register, air handler cabinet, and window units may each have one
- Identify the correct size. Disposable filters usually have cardboard frames, reusable ones have plastic. If there’s no label, measure the length, width, and thickness
- Replace with the same size filter. Most filters have an arrow showing airflow—always install it pointing toward the furnace
Changing filters regularly extends furnace life, lowers energy bills, and improves indoor air quality. If you’re unsure, check monthly and replace every 3 months or as needed.
Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Safety first always.
These devices save lives. They should be tested monthly and batteries replaced at least once a year.
Press and hold the test button until you hear the alarm sound. Vacuum or dust detectors every few months to prevent false alarms, and replace the entire unit every 7–10 years, even if it seems to work fine.
Know Your Home's Main Water Shut-Off Valve
You'll be glad you know where it is when you need it.
If a pipe bursts or a major leak starts, shutting off the water quickly can prevent thousands in damage.
Find the shut-off valve—often in the basement, near where the water line enters the house. Make sure it turns easily. If not, apply gentle pressure or ask a plumber to check it. Show everyone in your household how to shut it off in an emergency.
Learn How to Shut Off Your Utilities Safely
Every homeowner should know how to safely shut off gas, water, and electricity in case of emergency or major repair.
Here’s how:
Gas: Locate the shut-off valve on your gas meter (usually outdoors). Turn the valve one-quarter turn so it’s perpendicular to the pipe. Only do this if you smell gas or have a leak, and call your gas company before turning it back on.
Water: Use the main shut-off valve (usually in the basement or utility area) to stop the water supply if a pipe bursts.
Electricity: Your main breaker panel typically has one large switch at the top marked “Main.” Flip it off if there’s an electrical fire risk or flooding near outlets.
Knowing how to act fast in an emergency protects your family, your home, and your peace of mind.