Home maintenance can be scary at times, thinking of making your problem worse, or the huge dent it will make in your bank account! Here are a few ways you can maintain things yourself without having to break the bank by hiring a professional.

• Toilets
  
  

Water leaking from your toilet will not only cost your money on your utility bill, but it may damage your bathroom floor as well! Adding food coloring to your toilet's water tank will help you figure out whether the toilet itself is leaking, or if it's something more. Be sure to use a color like red or blue so you don’t mistake the color is the toilet bowl as something else. If the water in your toilet bowl is the same as color as the food coloring you used, then you have a leak. If you find that your toilet is leaking from the tank to the bowl, the flapper needs to be replaced. To change your toilets flapper, first shut off the water supply to your toilet. Look behind your toilet and turn the water valve located directly behind it to shut the water off. Be sure to remove the lid of the tank, and flush the toilet to remove the water from the tank, then use a towel or a sponge to get any excess water remaining in the tank. Remove the flush chain from the lever, and then slide the old flapper up off the overflow tube, then slide the new flapper in place over the overflow tube! Don’t forget to reconnect the chain, and turn the water supply back on.

• Faucets
  
  

The main reason why faucets leak is usually worn out washers. The washers inside of a faucets handles are usually rubber, and they tend to wear or break. You can easily replace them by removing the leaky handle that controls the water flow to the spout, removing the worn out or broke washer, and placing a new one where the old one was. Be sure to turn off your main water supply so you don’t make a mess!

• Washing Machine & Dryer
  
  

It is always important to check your washing machine's water supply hoses and pipes for leaks. It is also important to check your drain hoses for leaks as well. If you do find any leaks, or the end of your pipes start to rust, replace them immediately. Also, be sure you check the snugness of the drain lines by using a wrench or a pair of pliers. If they are tightened properly, you won't be able to tighten them anymore. You should also replace plastic lines every three years to avoid leaks from happening. Washing machine leaks are the main cause of water damage in a home.

As for your dryer, be sure to remove the lint sheet and clean it regularly to prevent fires. Cleaning your lint screen will also increase the life of the heating element. Also be sure to clean the lint screen with dish soap and water once a week to remove excess fabric softener residue.

• Water Heater
  
  

There is nothing worse than turning on the warm water in your shower and feeling the burst of cold come raining down on you. Water heaters need maintenance to increase longevity and to reduce the possibility of damage as many other appliances do. Most people dont realize that water has sediment in it, and when it settles it can damage the floor of your water heater. You should drain the water from your water heater at least once a year to clean the inside surface of the floor.

To drain your water heater, be sure to turn off the water supply and power to it. Then, connect a hose to the water heater and put the other end somewhere it wont damage anything, such as your driveway. Usually a typical garden hose fits a water heater perfectly. Turn on all the hot water faucets in your home to open the drain valve to you water heater. When your finished with that, turn the water supply back on with the drain valve still open to remove any built up sediment at the bottom of the tank, Then close the drain valve, refill the tank. Don’t forget to turn the power and water back on!

• Drafty Windows
  
  

Drafty windows are the worst! They are the leading cause of running up your electric bill, whether you are using an air conditioner, or the heat to warm your home. Often check the caulk line that runs along your window. If it seems to be damaged or weathered remove whatever is left with a razor blade or a knife, and replace it with new caulk. For further insulation, you can add insulating window film against your glass to keep the drafts out.

• Gutters
  
  

While gutters usually go unnoticed, they are one of the most important aspects to keep your home. Gutters are designed to capture water and debris and take them away from your foundation. Another main cause of water damage in a home is from gutters that are not properly maintianed. To clean you gutters you simply remove debri manually as you wash the gutters with a garden hose. If you find any spots that are leaking, or parts of the gutter that are not properly affixiated to your fascia boards be sure to replace or repair them right away.

• Roof

Be sure to regualrrly check your roof, and replace any shingles that are missing, worn, or the that gravel has worm off of. The shingles protect your roof from any type of weather, whether it be rain, snow, or the hot summer sun. Make sure you check around any skylights or chimmneys where there could be a leak.

Are you looking for a home in South Nashua NH?

Nashua is a wonderful city in southern New Hampshire. It is part of the Hillsborough county. Nashua is bordered by Hudson, NH, Merrimack, NH, and Hollis, NH as well as Tyngsboro, MA and Dunstable, MA. The city is formerly known as Dunstable, which was founded in 1654 for fur trading. That changed in 1741 when the border between Massachusetts and New Hampshire was relocated.  

Developed during the Industrial Revolution, Nashua was originally a mill city. The mills were named The Nashua Mills. They had cotton mills and textile mills. They prospered until about World War I, when other methods for electricity other than water power were discovered. Cotton started being manufactured in the South where it was grown, and the textile mills also moved South during The Great Depression.

Seasons

In New Hampshire we are lucky enough to be able to enjoy all four of the seasons. In the Summer of 2016, the temperatures in Nashua averaged around 93° F, though sometimes the humidity makes it feel hotter. In the Winter of 2016 the low temperatures averaged around 23° F, although some days the temperatures can reach into the negatives! The average amount of snowfall is 50 feet in one winter, which means you can make as many snowmen as you want!

Education

South Nashua belongs to the Nashua school district. Nashua has 17 different public schools which consist of 12 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools.  Bicentennial Elementary School and Main Dunstable Elementary school are the primary elementary schools in South Nashua, while Elm Street and Fairgrounds are the Middle Schools, and Nashua High School South is the main High School for South Nashua.

Transportation

Nashua has a bus station to make transportation easier for those who can’t walk or drive to where they need to go. The Nashua Transit Center is located at 11 Riverside Street in downtown Nashua. There is also public transportation available, the Gate City Trolley’s will take you all over the city. The rates are really inexpensive and can be found at http://nashuanh.gov/463/Fares .

There is also an airport in Nashua, mostly for military training or personal use for residents in the area who have their own small air planes.

And if you travel a little farther South to Haverhill or Lowell Massachusetts, there is a train, called the ‘T’ that will take you all over Massachusetts.

Real Estate

South Nashua has many different styles of homes for sale to offer, from Mansions to split level style homes. We are sure we can find something perfect for you. For 2016 the highest sales price for a single family home was $750,000, and the lowest sales price was $163,000. The average sale price for South Nashua homes for sale for 2016 was $317,400.

With the gorgeous homes in South Nashua you’re bound to find something that suits you and your family!

If you would like to sell your home, or just get a market analysis on what your house is worth call us today! There is no obligation to work with us and the Comparative Market Analysis is free of charge.

Give Harmony Real Estate a call at (603) 883-8840 or visit our website at www.Harmony-RE.com . We would love to help you with your important move.