5 Things Every Homeowner Should Learn

Aug 30, 2022

Home Maintenance Items you can Tackle Yourself

Buying a new home is the perfect choice for many homeowners as you will not have the maintenance as you would with a fixer upper. At Woodhill Homes, our homes are built so that when you move in, you can simply enjoy your space and not worry about fixing things. However, all things need care and maintenance with age and use. For those things that don’t require professional assistance, being able to tackle some tasks on your own will save you lots of time and money. Here are a few things that we believe every homeowner should know how to do.

 

Fix a Leaky Faucet

 

Leaky faucets are at once irritating and common in homes. They naturally develop with use as joiners and rings become loose over time. To fix them is easy, thankfully. To do so, first turn the water line to the sink off. Then depending on if you have a compression faucet or not, you will need to either replace the rubber washer or the O-ring. This should create a waterproof seal.

 

Replace the Furnace Filter

 

For your furnace to run efficiently and for decades to come, proper maintenance is essential. One of the main ways to maintain your furnace is quite simple, changing the filter. Generally, you should change your furnace filter every three months.

 

Find Wall Studs

 

To hang things permanently and securely, you need to attach them to a wall stud. This is all the truer for heavy pictures and mirrors. Learn to listen for the sound of a stud. Knock on your wall until you hear a solid sound. This is a good indicator that you have found a stud. Alternatively, you can purchase a stud finder to help you with this task.

 

Use a Caulk Gun

 

Caulk is an integral part in many areas of a home. Occasionally, a new bead of caulk is needed to seal gaps and holes around windows, tubs, and more which is why knowing how to use a caulk gun is so important. To use, load the caulking tube into the gun, slice the tip off of the nozzle of the tube at a 45-degree angle, and gently pull the trigger to release the product onto a surface. To stop the flow of product, push the spring-loaded tab at the back of the gun.

 

Reset Your Breaker Box

 

When your circuit breaker trips, it is important that you know how to reset it and restore power to that part of your home. To do so, travel down to your breaker box, open it up, and identify which switch is not in the same direction as the others. Simply flip that switch to the right side and you have successfully reset your breaker.

19 Apr, 2023
Bend, Oregon is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, offering a wide range of activities and attractions to enjoy throughout the year. And for those that reside in our Central Oregon communities, you get to enjoy the beauty and splendor of this area without having to leave. With its mild weather and stunning natural scenery, spring is an excellent time to visit Bend and explore all that the area has to offer. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Bend during the Springtime. Hiking Bend is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges and national forests, making it an excellent place for hiking. In the spring, the weather is typically mild and the trails are often less crowded than in the summer months. Start exploring the surrounding area’s hiking trails with Tumalo Falls Trail, the Deschutes River Trail , and the Pilot Butte Trail. Mountain Biking In addition to hiking, Bend is naturally known for its world-class mountain biking trails as well. As the weather starts to warm up in the next coming months, the trails are often in excellent condition making it the perfect time to explore the area on two wheels. Some popular mountain biking trails in Bend include Phil's Trail, the Wanoga Trail System, and the Peterson Ridge Trail . Golfing On top of hiking and mountain biking, Bend is home to several top-rated golf courses, many of which open for the season in the spring. With its mild weather and stunning natural surroundings, golfing in Bend is a unique and enjoyable experience. If you are an avid golfer, check out these popular golf courses: Tetherow Golf Club , Pronghorn Resort , and Broken Top Club . Whitewater Rafting As the snow melts in the spring, the rivers around Bend become prime spots for whitewater rafting. Several local outfitters offer guided rafting trips, allowing visitors to experience the thrill of navigating through rapids and enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. Brewery Tours Oregon is known for its thriving craft beer scene, with dozens of local breweries and taprooms to choose from, and Bend is one of the state’s premier destinations for beer lovers. Spring is a great time to explore the local breweries as many offer outdoor seating and beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Enjoy some brews and views at Deschutes Brewery , Crux Fermentation Project , and 10 Barrel Brewing . Ready to make a day of it? Download Bend’s Ale Trail map and score some prizes from Visit Bend ( vistbend.com ). Exploring the High Desert Museum  The High Desert Museum is a popular attraction in Bend, offering exhibits and programs that showcase the natural and cultural history of the region. In the spring, visitors can enjoy the outdoor exhibits and gardens, as well as the indoor galleries and exhibits. This is a perfect activity for the whole family. ( https://highdesertmuseum.org/ ) Attending Festivals and Events Bend comes alive in spring as it hosts several festivals and events, offering visitors a chance to experience the local culture and community. Look out for these popular upcoming events: the Bend Spring Festival, the Bend Brewfest, and the Pole Pedal Paddle multi-sport event. Check out all the upcoming activities in Bend at https://www.visitbend.com/event-calendar/2022-05-14/ It is clear to see that Bend, Oregon has a lot to offer in the springtime. Whether you enjoy hiking, mountain biking, golfing, or exploring the local culture, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Bend during the spring season. Ready to make the move to Central Oregon to have all these activities in your backyard? Reach out to Woodhill Homes today; we would love to show you around our Countryside community and help find the perfect Bend, Oregon home for you.
20 Mar, 2023
Top Tips to Make Your Spring Home Maintenance a Breeze
03 Nov, 2022
At Woodhill, we build new homes throughout Oregon. As a new home builder, we know all the benefits of buying a new home versus an existing home. If you are not sure exactly what those benefits are, allow us to share some of them with you. Nothing is Used or Worn Though it may seem obvious that this is a benefit, the value of everything in your home being new cannot be understated. Buying a home and moving is already an expensive and physically taxing endeavor. The last thing you want to deal with when you move into a home are repairs. That’s the reality for many people when they move into their homes, but it doesn't have to be when you choose a new home. Think about the peace of mind that comes from having new appliances, plumbing, and electrical work. When those things experience problems, they are often expensive to fix. But you buy yourself a lot of time not worrying about putting those kinds of repairs into the budget when everything in your home is brand new. Not to mention the fact you can rest easy knowing that your home was built according to the latest building standards and is equipped with energy efficient materials. All these things add up to savings in your pocket in the long run. There Are Tailored Options At Woodhill we do more than offer move-in ready new homes. Through our On-Your-Land division, Tailored Homes , we also offer custom options for those that want to build their homes on their own land. When you not only buy a new home, but you opt for a custom one, everything will be how you want it from the very beginning. While many people buy existing homes knowing that they are going to renovate in the future to bring their home aesthetics more in line with their personal taste, that is not something you have to worry about. You get to have a say when picking the layout of your home and all the finishing touches. The only reason you would need to renovate is if your style changes in the future. Your custom-built home will reflect your style from the very beginning. If buying a home that leaves you without worry and that is built with you in mind from the start sounds valuable to you, contact us at Woodhill Homes today. We would love to give you a tour of one of our move-in ready homes or explain our tailored process to you more fully.
Share by: