Owning a home is exciting, but it also comes with a long list of responsibilities that can feel overwhelming. From routine maintenance and seasonal upkeep to unexpected repairs, knowing where to start (and what to prioritize) isn’t always obvious. That’s why we created the Ultimate Homeowner’s Guide—a comprehensive, easy-to-follow resource designed to help homeowners protect their investment and keep their homes running smoothly year-round.
Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or you’ve lived in your house for decades, this guide breaks down essential home maintenance tasks, common repairs to watch for, and smart tips to prevent costly issues before they happen. As a trusted home repair company serving Saint Peters, Saint Charles, Saint Louis, and surrounding Missouri communities, Mister Fix-It has seen firsthand how proactive care can save homeowners time, stress, and money.
Think of this guide as your go-to homeowner checklist—one you can bookmark, revisit, or even print out and keep on hand. And when a project feels too big, too time-consuming, or outside your comfort zone, Mister Fix-It is always here to help with reliable, professional home repair services you can trust.
- Test smoke detectors regularly. If you push the button, do they go off? They’d better! We actually recommend using non-rechargeable alkaline batteries here—they’re stronger. Have one smoke detector on each floor, minimum.
- Get carbon monoxide detectors. Don’t mess around with CO. Put one on each floor of your home and in every bedroom. (But don’t put them near fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or other flame-producing appliances.)
- Put a fire extinguisher on each floor. Make sure everyone in your home knows where they are.
- Make sure dryer exhaust is exiting your home. Turn on your clothes dryer and check that hot air is exiting out of the vent.
- Metal dryer ducts only. They should also be attached and sealed with metal foil tape, not duct tape. (Do not use screws in a dryer duct or it could catch lint.)
- Remove your lint. Clean your dyer’s lint trap after every single load of laundry. During spring and fall, clean our your dryer duct (the flap outside your home). It’s easy!
- Have long downspouts. If rain is getting dumped too close to your house, buy extensions to drive it away. While you’re out there, check your foundation for any cracks.
- Have a first aid kit. Like the fire extinguishers, make sure everyone in your home knows where this is.
- Label your breaker box’s switches. Make sure you know where it is and how it works. We absolutely recommend also knowing where your water and gas shutoffs are, and how they work.
- Invest in a fire-proof box. There are plenty of affordable options for small boxes that are the perfect size for birth certificates and other critical documents.
- Have a master document. This should neatly keep track of account numbers, contacts, serial numbers on appliances, account logins, credit card information, doctors, home insurance and warranties, house repairs, car insurance, health insurance, property tax documents, life insurance, lawyers, etc. Make sure your spouse is able to fully access it. Also, make sure you are backing up hard drives regularly.
- Consider some efficiency upgrades. Low-flow taps or “ultra low-flow aerators” can make a significant difference in your water bill, and they’re easy to install. Low-flow showerheads, LED bulbs, curtains and blinds, and sink faucet seals can also be great investments.
- Get a home warranty. A home warranty is absolutely worth it, and not as pricey as you might think. Things in your home will break and need repaired or replaced. We highly recommend our partners at UPKEEP Home Warranty and Maintenance.
- Have a repair team’s phone number handy. Mister Fix-It has experts in repairs, plumbing, electric, drywall, painting, carpentry, deck building, and much more.
- Build a tool kit. Get a quality drill and battery, screws and nails, stud finder, screwdriver, protective eyeglasses, earplugs, work gloves, wrench set, pliers, headlamp, hammer, dust mask, wet/dry vacuum, drain snake, and plunger.
- Anchor all tall furniture. Tall dressers, bookcases, and other tall furniture need to be firmly secured to the wall.
- Get home insurance. Protect your home from natural disasters. Shop around for the policy that fits you and your budget best.
- Seal cracks. Walk around with a caulk gun and seal any door or window gaps where air is coming through.
- Test for radon and invest in mitigation. Don’t mess around with radon, especially if you spend time in your basement.
By using this Ultimate Homeowner’s Guide as a reference, you can stay organized, catch small issues before they become expensive repairs, and keep your home running safely and efficiently throughout the year.
Remember, homeowners don’t have to tackle everything alone. When repairs, maintenance, or installation projects feel overwhelming or require professional expertise, Mister Fix-It is here to help. Proudly serving Saint Charles, Saint Louis, and surrounding Missouri communities, our experienced team is dedicated to providing reliable, high-quality home repair services you can trust. When your home needs a helping hand, Mister Fix-It is just a call away.
Get a free quote today at www.misterfixitstl.com.