With the right tools, you can be your own technician.
There are so many advantages to home ownership! From the independence and privacy you gain compared to renting, to the more consistent year-to-year payments and the fact that you are investing in your future life!
But of course, with these advantages also comes increased responsibility – especially when it comes to maintaining your home. You may no longer have the luxury of a landlord who can come and fix your leaky showerhead… So what now? Well, now’s the time for self-empowerment, because on your side is a mighty resource, known as the INTERNET. There’s so much information available to you, and it even caters to your learning style! If you’re a visual learner, search YouTube for the answer to your inquiry! If you’re okay with reading step-by-step instructions, consult your favorite search engine! Even if you’re needing a confidence boost or some cheerleading, check out blogs and message boards written by people, just like you! This is exciting, right!?
First off, what’s your issue? There is certainly the possibility that a hired professional is required but no need to jump to conclusions, this could also be a healthy opportunity to learn something! Here is an example: At the beginning of summer, my air conditioner would not turn on. After soliciting some free advice from friends, I flicked switches on and off, checked the filter, then the breaker, changed batteries in the thermostat – in short, did everything I had been advised to do, all to no avail. My next thought was to Google the make and model of the thermostat to see if that would shed any light on the problem. Just like magic – there on my computer screen appeared a potential answer - “have you pressed the reset button..?” It so happens that on my particular thermostat, there is a teeny, tiny, little red reset button, the size of the tip of a highlighter, nestled amongst the wires in the thermostat. I did what I was instructed to do – pressed the reset button and voila, the system kicked on immediately. Not being technically inclined, I was both amazed and proud that I’d been able to fix the problem all by myself …well, with the help of the Internet, but I did it without spending a dime!
This is just one of the many maintenance/technical issues that are within your realm of newfound expertise so, don’t be afraid to start with a quick Google search! You might end up with a reason to celebrate your independence and capability. Good job, you!
