If you’re moving to a new property, then often it’s simply the act of getting everything organised, packed, and moving that can take up the majority of your energy. However, the new property that you’re moving into should take no small amount of consideration, either. How quickly you become aware of any “quirks” hiding under the surface can be the difference between an easy fix and a problem property. As such, here are some of the health checks that you should be making as soon as you can when you first move in to your new home.
*This is a collaborative post.
*This is a collaborative post.Do an HVAC health check
The most vital part of a new home is making sure that all of the utilities work as they should. You don’t want to be deprived of heating for too long in the winter, nor do you want to languish in a home without AC in the summer. To that end, make sure you call a technician out to perform a check on any HVAC equipment you have before you hit the height of either season. If you’re renting a property, then your landlord should be able to provide you with proof that your heating and cooling equipment is working effectively and safely with a recent servicing. If not, get them onto it.
Don’t get shocked
Making sure that the electrics are working safely is just as crucial, if not more so, due to the very real health and fire risks that faulty electrics could have. First of all, make sure you get the number of a local electrician. Then, start checking the electrics in your new home in as safe a manner as possible. Test all of the light switches and use something simple like a phone charger to check out the sockets. Take a good look at the plugs and sockets to make sure there are no visible signs of damage before you test them. Any visible damage or scorch marks and you should call out an electrician to service the home, instead. Of course, call them out if there are any faults or even signs of the electrics acting unusual. Don’t take any chances.
Watch those waterworks
Problems with your plumbing might not seem as dangerous as getting an electric shock. However, that doesn’t mean that you should underestimate them. After you turn on the water mains, be sure to follow the pipes through the home as best as you can, checking for any leaks. Test all of the faucets, as well as features like your toilet’s flush, to make sure that everything works as well as it should. Any untoward signs, such as tightness, poor water pressure, odd sounds, or any indications of a potential leak, and you should turn off the water mains before calling a plumber. Anything less than perfect operation could be the sign of a problem under the surface that might be doing more damage than you think. Any plumbing problems can lead to leaks, water damage, mould, and much worse, so you can’t tolerate them for a moment longer than necessary.
Get connected
It’s certainly not as important to a healthy and safe life as the utilities above, but effective and fast internet is crucial to many lifestyles, especially with so many of us working from home. If you have an existing net provider, then check the kind of speeds they are offering in your current package and use a speed test to see how close the reality matches the promise. If it isn’t very well, then comparing providers means that you have to get specific to the area that you’re in. Different providers offer different levels of coverage, and you need to pay close attention to what other customers in your area say to make the best choice.
Look up
It’s not just the utilities of the home that you should be checking, of course. You should be looking at the physical state of the property, too. Look at the windows, doors, and other areas that could provide openings for the cold or moisture to pass through and make sure they are effectively sealed. Unless you have proof that it was done recently, get a roofing contractor out to take a look on top of the home, as well. Even small issues like a cracked or chipped tile can be dangerous in bad weather or lead to leaks spreading from above.
Secure your home
The first thing you should do when moving into a home is to have the locks changed and new keys cut. Even if you trust the previous owner or tenant to have returned all those keys, you cannot be certain. Make sure that only you and the people you give keys to having access to your home. Otherwise, look at the home’s security and consider any upgrades you might reasonably want to make, whether it’s basic installation such as exterior lighting and sturdier windows, or more advanced options like CCTV systems and alarm systems. Where your peace of mind lies is up to your own judgement.
Ensure you have all the new home essentials
Aside from the more vital health checks as mentioned above, you should be taking the time to go through the property and think about what new home essentials you might need. This is especially true for some of the more furnished rentals out there, as you might miss what is missing by virtue of the fact that some of them are there. Make sure you have a fully stocked kitchen with all the cooking and food prep appliances, as well as dinnerware that you might need, all the essentials for the bathroom, as well as any furniture you might need throughout the home. Don’t forget the cleaning kit you are likely to need, too.
With the above tips, you can make sure that you’re fully aware of any of the problems that might otherwise remain hidden in the home. Act on them as soon as you can to enjoy the new environment with a little more peace of mind.
What checks would you recommend doing for a new home? Let me know in the comments below.
*Disclaimer – This is a collaborative post. This post has been pre-written.
