Water shutoffs
Locate the main shutoff, tell a gate valve from a ball valve, and find the individual stops under sinks and behind toilets before you need them.
You have the keys.Now learn the house.
The first 30 days matter most
Six things every new resident should find before something goes wrong.
Guides by system
Each guide covers one part of the house: what to find, what to check, and what to write down.
Electrical panels
Read the panel, label breakers room by room, and understand what a GFCI outlet protects and how to reset one safely.
HVAC filters
Find the return, read the filter size printed on the frame, choose a MERV rating, and set a replacement interval that fits your household.
Smoke and CO alarms
Check placement near each sleeping area, test units monthly, and note the manufacture date so you know when the unit itself expires.
Appliances
Record model numbers, find manuals, clear dryer vents and refrigerator coils, and learn which care tasks belong on a seasonal schedule.
Outdoor and utility equipment
Shut off and drain hose bibs before freezing weather, and identify the meter, the water heater and the service entry to your home.
Move-in plan
First 30-day checklist
A dated sequence of small tasks that covers the essentials, spread across your first month so nothing lands all at once.
- Days 1 to 3
Find and test the main water shutoff
Test every smoke and CO alarm
- Week 1
Label the electrical panel by room
Photograph appliance model numbers
- Week 2
Note the HVAC filter size and install date
Locate the water heater and its drain
- Weeks 3 to 4
Drain and close outdoor faucets
Write your seasonal maintenance dates
Worksheet
Home systems map
One page that records where everything lives, so the next person who needs the main shutoff at midnight is not searching with a flashlight.
- Main water shutoff and individual fixture stops
- Electrical panel location and breaker labels
- HVAC filter size, return location and install date
- Water heater, meter and service entry
Routine care
Maintenance starter guide
Monthly and seasonal routines written in plain language: filters, alarms, vents, drains and the handful of dates worth keeping on a calendar. No jargon, no upsell, no assumed toolbox.
Room walkthroughs
Room by room notes on what to check and what to write down before the boxes are unpacked.
Kitchen
Under-sink stops, the disposal reset button, the dishwasher drain line and the model numbers worth photographing on day one.
Bathrooms
Toilet supply stops, the shower access panel, exhaust fan cleaning and the small leaks that quietly cost the most.
Utility room
Water heater temperature and drain valve, furnace filter slot, condensate line and the labels worth adding while it is all visible.
Garage and exterior
Subpanel, garage door safety sensors and manual release, exterior outlets, and the hose bibs to drain before the first freeze.
How it works
Tell us where you are moving
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Work through your home
Follow the 30-day checklist and the room walkthroughs at your own pace, writing down what you find as you go.
Questions people ask
Do I have to give a phone number?
No. A phone number is only required if you opt in to text messages. You can subscribe with an email address instead.
How often will I hear from you?
Varies, generally up to 4 messages per month. Account notifications are occasional and only relate to your subscription.
How do I stop messages?
Reply STOP at any time to end messages for that program, or reply HELP for help. You can also email us and we will remove you.
Is this professional home inspection advice?
No. We publish general information about household systems and routine maintenance. For work on your home, contact a qualified professional.
Will my number be shared?
No. Mobile opt-in data, SMS consent and phone numbers are never sold, shared, rented or transferred to third parties for marketing or lead generation.
Start with the six things that matter
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