If your teenager is about to graduate high school, you’ll be searching online for everything from “independent college counselors near me” to “affordable college textbooks.” However, there’s one thing you can do to prepare your teen for life on their own that doesn’t cost money.
As your child heads off to college, it’s important to make sure they have the skills to take care of their new place once they’re out of school. From changing lightbulbs to fixing a leaky faucet, these home repair tips will help your teen prepare for living independently. Keep reading for everything you need to teach your college-bound child about home repairs.
Educate your teen on when to hire a professional.
Before teaching your teen how to repair their home independently, your teen will need to know when it’s appropriate to hire a professional instead of taking on a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. One prime example is ensuring the air conditioning (AC) system is in working order. Teach your teen that when it comes to complex systems like this, a professional is always best. Have them consider a professional HVAC company, such as this AC repair Melbourne company.
Teach your teen basic tool use and safety rules.
One of the best ways to help your teen prepare for college is to teach them some basic tool use and safety rules. These lessons will be the foundation of their home repair skills.
Show your teen how to use common tools, such as a screwdriver or hammer. These simple tools will be the basis of almost all household repairs they’ll be completing in the future. You should also teach them how to read an owner’s manual and follow instructions step-by-step. This is a vital skill that many of us adults already living independently frequently overlook, leading to costly mistakes and premature device failure.
It’s always best to explain the importance of safety when doing home repairs, including wearing goggles when using chemicals and using caution around electricity. Finally, encourage your teen to ask questions if they don’t understand something or need help completing a repair task.
Show your teen how to clear a clog.
Clearing clogs in sinks, toilets, and other drains is a handy skill to teach your teen. To clear clogs effectively, you’ll need to show your teen how to use a plunger and a drain snake.
When showing them how to use a plunger, you need to create a tight seal between the plunger and the drain. This can be tricky, but it’s worth practicing so you can get the most out of your plunger. To start, fill the sink or tub with enough water to cover the plunger head. Then wet the suction cup on the plunger and place it over the drain. Push and pull on the plunger until you form a tight seal. You may need to adjust your position a few times to get it right. When you have a good seal, push and pull quickly on the plunger several times. If there is a clog, this should dislodge it.
A drain snake, also known as a plumber’s snake, is a long, coiled metal wire that’s inserted into a drain to clear blockages. The snake is inserted into the drain and then rotated, which pushes the blockage out of the way. When teaching how to use a drain snake, it’s important to reinforce that your teen should be careful not to damage the pipes. If the snake is rotated too quickly or if it is inserted too far into the drain, it can damage the pipes.
Prepare your teen for life on their own.
Overall, home repair tips are important for your teen before going to college. They will learn how to fix common issues around the house, which will save them time and money in the long run.
