I love my home, but we have a complicated relationship. Often I am so proud of it and want to show it off to all of my friends and neighbors. But there are other days, when something breaks, that I want to run out and put up the “For Sale” sign. There’s proof in that old saying, “when it rains, it pours,” as that happened to me recently.
I have an enclosed front porch. It’s very spacious, with some comfy chairs and a wooden antique table where I love to entertain. As most of you recall, it rained a lot this past summer, and I was uncomfortably aware of a small leak in the roof of that front porch. I was determined that my fiancé and I could fix this leak – no problem.
Well, it rained and rained and rained. We were not able to get up there and fix it, so it rained and rained and rained into my front porch. When the sun finally came out, we trudged up on the roof and then just stood there for a while. We realized that we had no clue how to do this repair.
From working at , I knew some of the language (like drip edge, flashing and ice guard,) but Dave is no Bob the Builder, and I’m certainly not Wendy. So, we decided to take a class on roof repair at Home Repair Resource Center. Together, Dave and I learned how to fix our roof, which turned out to be an amazing project to share. Afterwards, I could once again sit in my comfy chairs and entertain at my beautiful antique table.
As young homeowners, it’s hard to know where to turn. It is not like you get the keys to your house and you instantly become this all-knowing person who, with a flick of the wrist, can fix whatever may pop up. So, it’s important to learn as you go and begin to build a knowledge base. And, where do you get the tools you need? Why buy a tool that you may use only once or twice? You can save that money to add a heated towel rod (you know you’ve always wanted one) or heated flooring in the bathroom… the wish list is endless.
The answer to all this can be Home Repair Resource Center. Local residents are fortunate to have this resource, which offers hands-on repair classes, repair-specific handouts, DVD’s and a tool loan program. HRRC’s tool loan was recently expanded to a higher income bracket, allowing more Cleveland Heights residents use the program, and features affordable fees and an extended loan period. Check it out before you buy a tool. HRRC has also opened its hands-on classes to any resident of Cuyahoga County – so tell your friends and bring them along. Their website, www.hrrc-ch.org, has information on upcoming classes, tools and repair handouts.
Stay tuned for further stories about our adventures in homeownership. I hope you share some of your stories, as well – both successes and blunders, as we are all learning! Meanwhile, until something else breaks (I give it a week or two....)
I apologize if this is a repeat, as I tried to send it once, but it didn't go thru.
Thanks.