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We all know that moving house is arguably one of the most stressful things you ever do in your lifetime, and yet it is something that most of us end up having to do a number of times. Obviously, you want to make sure that you are doing whatever you can to make the move as least stressful as possible. There are many things plenty that you can do to be sure that happens. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the more important checks you might want to make in order to be sure that you are making the most of your move. As long as you pay attention to the following things, you should find that your new home is going to serve you very well, and that it is likely to be somewhere you can live happily for a long time.
The Locks
From a security point of view, one of the first things you definitely want to check is the locks on the house. However many doors and windows there are, be sure that all the locks work. You never know how much hassle and potential trouble this can cause you in the future otherwise, so it is definitely worth looking into when you have moved in. if you are feeling particularly security conscious, you might even want to think about changing the locks shortly after you have moved in. the previous residents could well have made a key, or even a relative of theirs, and you never know who has a copy, and therefore the means to get into your new house. Changing the locks is definitely a wise move for that very reason.
Dampness & Humidity
In many cases, you might find that there is a lot of dampness in a new place, especially if the property has been empty for a time and you can’t be sure of anyone having been there to properly take care of the building. It is a good idea to go around all the walls and ceilings and even underneath carpets and check for damp. Although having a little damp is not necessarily going to be the end of the world, the truth is that it can soon become a much more serious problem, and that will only mean that you are going to have to shell out for proper mold removal at some point in the future. If left alone for long enough, it can even prove to be something of a major health issue, so it is absolutely vital that you check your new home for damp at your earliest convenience. If you think you have discovered some, consider calling an expert to deal with it as soon as possible – and in the meantime, make sure you keep the air flowing through the house. You might even want to think about using a dehumidifier to stop it getting worse and hopefully even dry it out a little.
The Foundation
Clearly enough, there are few things which are quite as important as the foundation that your home is built upon. If there are any problems with that, then it can mean severe safety and comfort issues further down the line. In the worst case scenario, you could even be talking about the potential for a sinking or collapsing house. But you might well be wondering how you can possibly check the foundation for problems, and the truth is that it is not all that hard. If you look at the walls and doors, you should see that the doors fit perfectly well in their frames. If not, it could be a foundation problem. Similarly, if you look at the outside walls you might notice that there is a wonky appearance to some of the stones or bricks. This too could be a sign of a faulty or poor foundation. If you suspect this problem, you should absolutely not leave it alone, as it could be deadly further down the line. Instead, be sure to have it looked at and rectified as soon as you possibly can. It might even save a life in the long run.
The Plumbing
The last thing you want is to discover that there is a persistent leak in your new home, so one of the first checks you will want to make will be the plumbing. Although it might seem obvious, you might be surprised how often people completely fail to take care of the plumbing before they move into a property. If you want to be extra safe and careful, then you should go round and look at all the pipes that you have access to and check for any leaks. Similarly, be sure to give all the taps a go and keep your eye and ear out for anything unusual. If you see any wet areas which should not be, then you will want to call out the professionals immediately. It might even be worth your while to call out the likes of Davis Plumbing & Drain Service to carry out a check up on your home. They will be able to check all of the b plumbing, but also the drains outside, which could well stop you from having some pretty unpleasant – and smelly – problems in the future. As long as you are confident the plumbing is safe and secure, you will feel much better about moving in, so it’s incredibly important.
The Electrics
Arguably, the single most important check to make for the case of security and safety is that the electrics are in working order, and in particular that there are no obvious problems which might lead to electrocution or even fire. This is not something you should do unless you are qualified, so unless you are sure to call out a professional electrician to check it for you. This might it be the first thing you want to spend money on after moving into a new home, but the truth is that you could save money in the long run by spotting a problem early. More importantly, of course, you could also save someone’s life. Being sure of the electrics in your house being safe is definitely the kind of peace of mind that you want to have after moving in, so it is worth checking it out.
The Smoke Detectors
If you do ever have a fire – and it is always a possibility – then you will want to do whatever you can to keep yourself and everyone else safe. Obviously enough, one of the most important things here is the smoke detectors, and this is something you should check when you move in. However, it might not be enough to simply check and see if they work. To be extra vigilant, you might as well take this opportunity to completely replace the batteries, as that way you can be absolutely sure that they are going to work for a long time. Of course, even after doing so you should still check them regularly – but starting off life in your new home with new batteries in the fire alarms is definitely going to be worth doing, if only for the peace of mind it will afford you.
The Water Valve
Certain things are really useful to know about before you need them, especially as more often than not you are going to need to use them quickly in an emergency situation. Such an item is the water shut-off valve, which is something you might need to use if you ever have a problem with your water supply, especially if you have a serious plumbing problem which is leading to leakage somewhere in the home. By locating the waster valve upon moving into the home, you will then know exactly where it is when you need it in future, which could make all the difference when that emergency situation comes. It will also come in handy if you need to get the plumber in and they need to know where it is before they commence on their work. In all likelihood, the previous residents will be able to tell you where it is, but it not you might need to hunt around a little. Thankfully, it is generally pretty easy to locate with a little trial and error.
The Fuse Box
Knowing where the fuse box means that you won’t have to worry when you have electrical problems in the house. Given that one of the main problems you’ll face with your electrics is a fuse being blown or a circuit shorted out, you will find that knowing where the fuse box is could save you on one or two occasions. If you are struggling to locate it, ask either the estate agent or the previous residents. You need to know where this is for the future, so it is best to do so now rather than later.
A Wireless Service Provider:
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As long as you make the above checks, you will find that you can get settled into your new home much more quickly, and safely, than if you do not.
