Map the home and its shutoffs
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The idea in everyday life
Locate the systems, controls, records, and contacts needed before a leak, outage, alarm, or equipment failure.
A home is a collection of connected systems; the map tells you what can be isolated safely.
One step at a time.
Use the sample or information you have permission to use. Keep your work as you go. You can pause between steps.
- 1
Walk the property and map water service and fixtures, electrical panel, heating and cooling, drains, ventilation, alarms, appliances, exterior drainage, and access points.
- 2
Locate and label appropriate water, electrical, and other authorized shutoffs without operating unfamiliar or hazardous controls.
- 3
Match equipment names, model and serial numbers, filters, breakers, manuals, warranties, and service contacts.
- 4
Photograph locations and create an emergency page that another household member can understand.
See how it works.
Rae learns the outdoor valve is not the unit’s main water shutoff, labels the correct closet valve, and asks building management to confirm the shared gas procedure.
Did you cover these?
- Your work includes a labeled home-system map, equipment inventory, shutoff photos, manual index, and emergency contact page.
- Check this common mistake: Waiting for a leak or outage to discover that a hidden valve is seized, mislabeled, or inaccessible.
- Another household member can locate the main water control, electrical panel, safety alarms, and service contacts from your map.
What to finish
A labeled home-system map, equipment inventory, shutoff photos, manual index, and emergency contact page.
Watch for this
Waiting for a leak or outage to discover that a hidden valve is seized, mislabeled, or inaccessible.
How can I tell I understand it?
Another household member can locate the main water control, electrical panel, safety alarms, and service contacts from your map.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video
Simple Maintenance Tips for New Homeowners
From This Old House. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
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