5 Skills You Need to Survive Homeownership

Are you in the market for your first home? It is a HUGE responsibility! Why doesn't that thing come with an owners manual? Well, that's what we're here for-to provide fast fix-it advice when it's time for you to do your homeowning duty. Because at some point, you're going to have to know how to change out a light fixture without zapping yourself! Or stem the flood when the toilet overflows. And you're going to want to do things right. The first time.

You're going to have questions and lucky for you we've got some answers! Check out these 5 tips and also even more homeowner must-know skills on Thisoldhouse.com!

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1. Skill: Know Which Breaker to Turn Off

When you finally get around to putting in that dimmer switch, you won't want to be stumped by a poorly labeled breaker box. Write directly on the metal next to each switch with a fine indelible marker. Have a friend plug lamps into all the sockets in a room and tell you via cell phone which ones go dark when you flip a switch. Then, be specific ("sofa and window walls only" or "kitchen minus fridge") when you jot it down.

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2. Skill: Dry Out a Flooded Basement

After a disastrous storm, water below ground level must be removed slowly to equalize pressure on both sides of the basement walls, says David Miller, an administrator with the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division. Pumping it out too quickly or too early can cause structural damage or a cave-in. "The water in your basement is pushing back, preventing your basement walls from collapsing," says Miller. You will need to first test groundwater levels to make sure the water level won't rise again, protect yourself from what could have seeped into the water, and slowly begin pumping it out. Get all the know-how by seeing our step-by-step to drying out a wet basement.

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3. Skill: Prevent Blowing-Up the Kitchen (deal with the strong smell of gas)

A closed-up kitchen with gas flowing from an open unlit burner can create a combustible atmosphere in as little as 10 seconds. So if you smell gas-we mean really smell gas-do not turn on the lights or use a telephone, cell phone, flashlight, or computer, all of which could create a spark, blowing the place sky high. Instead, haul everybody out of there and call the gas utility or the fire department immediately.

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4. Skill: Stem a Flood-and Save Your Wiring

As a safety measure, you should know where your main water and electrical shutoffs are. The water shutoff will be near where the water enters the house. Look for a metal wheel or a flat handle like a paddle. Or check outside for a mini manhole cover-the shutoff may be there. The main electrical switch will be in or near the main box. On an old fuse system, it may be a big lever or a handle that pulls out a whole block. On a modern breaker box it will be an isolated switch near the top of the box. Flip it to keep the circuits (and you, too) from getting fried.

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5. Skill: Work Safely on an Extension Ladder

Don't try any acrobatics high up: A LOT of people are injured each year working on ladders. Make sure the ladder's rung locks (those hooks that grab onto the rungs) are anchored in place and the pulley rope is tied to a rung. Use levelers on the feet if you're on uneven ground and a stabilizer at the top if you can't lean on anything sturdy. To set it at the right angle, stand with your toes at the ladder's feet and extend your arms straight out in front of you; your fingertips should brush the ladder's rails.

Face the ladder as you ascend or descend, and never climb higher than the fourth rung from the top. Once there, keep your hips centered between the side rails as you work. This is one situation in which you don't want to overreach. Learn all the important points for ladder safety.

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When you cannot do-it-yourself...hire a handyman!

Skip the classifieds-no one any good needs to advertise. Try the local hardware store instead. The guys behind the counter know who's buying supplies for paid jobs. Or find out who does the maintenance at the school or town hall. Maybe he moonlights. Just be sure to check references, and find out whether your town or state requires a license. Also ask if he carries liability insurance-otherwise, be sure your homeowner's insurance will cover him.

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SEE ALL OUR ADVICE TO SURVIVE OWNING A HOME AT THISOLDHOUSE.COM!