9 Things To Fix Before You Move In

Buying and moving into a new home is exciting for any homeowner or renter. But before you move in, there are some few things that you need to do first. These are 9 must-do things to fix before you move in.

  1. Check the Locks

This is the first thing that you should fix for your security. Even if the previous owner hands over the key, you just don’t know who might have a copy. Also, you likely do not know the character of the previous occupant, and thus it’s important to change the locks before moving in. Someone might gain easy access into your new home and cause problems or take things. Changing the locks is, therefore, extremely important for your security.

  1. Locate the Shut off Valve

Mapping out the main water supply is very important. You can imagine having a massive plumbing leak, and your home is flooding in every second yet you have no idea of where the shut-off valve is. It is, therefore, important to locate the main valve and map it so that it’s easy to spot if it’s not. If possible, put something nearby that can be spotted from a distance. If you need a new valve you might want to check your local builders merchant.

  1. Locate the Circuit Breaker Box

This is another important safety measure that you need to take before moving into a new home. Electrical fires can happen anytime, and you can reduce the damage by cutting off the power. Circuit breaker boxes are placed in different parts of the house depending on the design. It is important to identify where it has been installed and if possible note it down. You can also label the circuit breakers if they not marked. If marked, confirm if it’s done right.

  1. Check for Moisture Stains

Moisture is one of the problems that can give you a headache in your home. First, it destroys the paint on the wall by peeling it off thus giving the wall a bad look. Second, moisture can affect appliances and electronics. It can also affect the quality of air in the home especially for sensitive people. It will be difficult to repair leaking walls with the place crammed with your stuff. It’s much better to have this issue fixed when you still have space.

Moisture can also be a warning sign of mold infestation. Mold tends to develop in damp and dark places and thrive wherever there is moisture. Mold is a type of fungus found in most environments that vary in color and level of toxicity. Mold infestation spreads through tiny, airborne spores.
“In small quantities, these spores are harmless. However, when they land on a moisture stain they start growing and spread across the surface. Once their colony sufficiently grows, the mold releases spores in larger quantities. These spores can be easily inhaled and can cause issues to people sensitive to mold, those with allergies and weakened immune systems,” mold removal experts at Emergency Home Solutions caution.

  1. Check for Pests

Pest control is very important before moving into your new home. Checking for rodents and bugs and especially termites is one of the most important inspections you can do. While you could just get any handyman to inspect, some of the most serious bugs since they are not easily seen with naked eyes. For this reason it might be better to get a certified and license pest inspector to do the job. If you have a pest problem, get a local contractor to help you spray the home. Have the entire home sprayed for bugs and all holes plugged to discourage any rodents. You don’t want to have a problem with rats, bugs or other nasties after moving in.

6. Check the heating system or furnace

Make sure that your heating system, heat pump or furnace is working fine, if not you may need to have your heater repaired by a plumber . The most common things to look out for is to check that the thermostat is set in the heat position. The temperature on the thermostat is set higher than the current indoor temperature. Ensure that there is power to the furnace – try to turn the fan to “on” on the thermostat to test for power to the furnace. If you have a problem with the furnace, check with your local furnace services.

7. Check for the garage door opener

Make sure that your garage door opener is working properly. If not, you can plan to repair it or buy a new garage door opener as it is one of the vital parts of any household. You can buy it online and can install yourself quite easily, thereby saving a few bucks. If you have any other garage door problems though, you’re really better off calling a professional. Saving a few bucks isn’t worth risking life and limb.