Home Sweet Home? Make Sure Your New House Is Ready For You

Finding a buying a new home can be enough of an effort itself. It’s no wonder it’s commonly claimed to be one of the most stressful periods in any one person’s life. However, you’re not free and clear just because you get in a home. There are some elements of a home you might not catch if you haven’t invested in a thorough investigation beforehand. These are a few steps you need to take to avoid any disasters with your new home.

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The essential security

Most people already know that they should be doing this, but it’s a point too important to skip over. Regardless of whether you’re renting or you’re buying, you should get your locks changed. If you’re renting, then make sure you let the landlord know. You simply don’t know who could be holding onto a key and while you don’t want to make any assumptions, you don’t want to leave any doubt as to the security of the home. You don’t have to buy a brand-new lock entirely, either. You can save money by working on re-keying it yourself.

Get a good look at that plumbing

One of the most dangerous things to do with plumbing is to leave it alone for too long. Even if you’ve tried the faucets and they’re all working, make sure you give the plumbing a once-over, including finding the water shut-off valve. One of the biggest risks, of course, is a frozen drain pipe if a home has been left on the market over the winter. If the home looks like it has no insulation or protection against frozen pipes, be very careful. Being too reckless could see you dealing with thousands in water damage repair costs.

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Insulate and protect

The pipes aren’t the only insulation you should be checking. Take a good look at the attic and ensure all insulation is in place, checking for any signs of rot. Look for mold and mildew throughout the home. Give the home a once over, caulking any gaps that look like they might provide the faintest of risks. Don’t make the common mistake of missing the roof, either. It only takes one missing or cracked tile to cause a whole home’s worth of damp and mold issues.

Check the elec

More dangerous than mold and mildew is the very serious risk of electrical fires in a home. Whether it’s a fuse degrading over time or pests chewing wires, you can never be too certain of the safety of the electrics in a new home. If you have an electric fault, then using a guide to locate them can help you understand the best course forward. Of course, it’s a good idea to get an electrician in there if you’re not confident with checking yourself. Make sure you at least know the location of the mains so that you can operate with any faults safely.

You don’t need an electrical fire or a burst pipe crashing down on your parade while you’re trying to adapt to a new home. Don’t rest on your laurels until you’ve completed all the tips above.