The tiny home boom is still going strong as more people turn toward a minimalistic lifestyle, or simply want to “get away” from the stress of big cities and even bigger houses. There are so many benefits to tiny home living. It’s cost-effective, it can allow you to move around more, and many time homes are set in rural, natural areas.
But, because tiny homes are so unique, repairs can be costly and difficult. Unless you have specialized handyman skills or you’re regularly checking out home improvement websites because you’re interested in upgrades, it’s much easier and less stressful to regularly maintain your home, whether than have to repair it later.
So, what can you do to practice preventative maintenance in your tiny home? Let’s cover a few tips that can make it easy, whether you have ‘DIY’ experience or not. By putting in the effort now, you can save yourself from the risk of costly, difficult repairs later on.
Understanding the Basics
In a perfect world, you’ll educate yourself as much as possible about some of the ‘quirks’ of tiny home living, including:
- Preparing the home for inclement weather
- Thinking about plumbing and waste
- Building it for security
- Putting money in your budget for updates and repairs
But, even if some of these things have caught you off guard, you can still take the time now to learn more about proper home maintenance and gain the skills you need to keep your home looking great. Having the right tools and skills for maintenance jobs is important. Knowing how to do things like painting, basic woodworking, and working with electrical wiring can be extremely helpful. Additionally, if you’re just getting started in the world of home maintenance, these are the tools you should have on hand:
- Adjustable wrench
- Pliers
- Flashlight
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Power drill
- Level
When you invest in the right tools and learn a few basic skills, you can continuously monitor what needs to be maintained and checked within your home. Those skills can also be useful if your home is on a trailer and you need to check things like tire pressure, lug nuts, or bearings.
You can also prepare yourself for regular maintenance by keeping your home as clean and decluttered as possible. Not only will reducing the amount of clutter cause less stress on your trailer, but it will make it easier to see any potential damage that might bet starting. Get rid of clothes that don’t fit or that you don’t wear, clear off floors and counters, and have a decluttering system in place to keep your tiny home clean.
Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing
Three of the biggest problem areas in any home are often heating, cooling, and plumbing. Having to hire a professional for problems in any of these areas can cost hundreds of dollars (or more!). While that is sometimes necessary, you can typically avoid a lot of damage to your HVAC system or plumbing by maintaining them.
For heating and cooling, that includes regularly changing out air filters and getting your system tuned up at least once a year. Calling out a professional for a maintenance visit is much cheaper than having them come out for a repair. This is especially true because many handymen and repair workers don’t have familiarity with tiny homes. You might have difficulties finding a local repair person, and if one has to come in from another city, it will cost you even more.
When it comes to plumbing, you do not want to find yourself with an emergency on your hands. So, some regular maintenance tips to keep up with include:
- Fixing clogged drains
- Tightening leaky faucets
- Checking exposed pipes for leaks
- Checking the water pressure
- Not pouring the wrong things down drains
If you keep an eye on things that commonly need maintenance and stay up-to-date with them, you can end up saving a lot of time and money. Some tiny homeowners can get away with spending as little as $600 a month on rent and utilities. If you know what you’re doing when it comes to basic maintenance, your minimalist lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive.
Appreciating Your Appliances
Most tiny home appliances have to be on the smaller side. No matter how minimalistic you want your lifestyle to be, some appliances are just necessary, like a refrigerator. But, because tiny home appliances can be more expensive, it’s a good idea to check them regularly, and reduce energy strain on them as much as possible. Asking for too much from your appliances can wear them out faster or cause them to need repairs more frequently.
You can save energy in many creative ways when it comes to your appliances. Turn off your oven a few minutes before the cooking time is over. It will retain the heat and finish cooking your food while saving a bit of energy. Keep your refrigerator and freezer well-stocked so they operate more efficiently. Use a microwave instead of a stove when cooking.
By making a few simple changes in your tiny home and taking the time to learn what you can about regular home maintenance, you can avoid having to call professional repair services very often. Plus, learning some basic maintenance skills can help you to feel more appreciative of your tiny space, and more confident in taking care of it for years to come.
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