Whether you’re searching for your first home or planning to up- or downsize from your current property, you must make sure your next property is perfect in every way. While the style and size are always important elements to consider, there are also essential maintenance issues to remember, even before you move in.
So what are the most crucial things to remember when buying a new home? If you want to ensure your home is fit for you and your family, you should know how to keep it in the best condition for as long as you live there. To give you some help, here are eight maintenance tips for your new home.
Inspect It Thoroughly
This maintenance tip applies before you even move into the property. A thorough inspection using your inspection checklist, as well as a certified home inspector can highlight and identify potential issues within the home.
Although their house may look fine from the outside, there could be structural issues, dampness, and other problems that could be expensive to repair if you don’t fix them as soon as possible. While these repairs could delay your move, they will ensure peace of mind and prevent you from struggling to make the house into the home you always dreamed of.
Cut Back Branches and Bushes
Once you have moved in, you’ll want to make it as open and pleasant as possible. This shouldn’t be a problem with the interior, but the exterior, such as the garden and driveway, is something you must think about.
If you cut back the branches and bushes, you’ll make the property more welcoming and attractive. This also offers security benefits, as it minimizes the number of hiding places potential burglars can inhabit if they want to break in.
It’s easy to do this in the summer, as this is when things grow fastest. If you move in during the winter, you should still trim them back as far as you can to save you a job later on.
Search for Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew are two of the most common problems a home can experience. Especially if it’s an older property that does not retain the heat as efficiently as new builds.
Typically, you’ll find this mold and mildew around the window frames and in the bathroom where moisture collects without being wiped away.
Even after inspections, there could be mold in hidden places. Usually, there isn’t too much to deal with, and mold cleaners should solve the problem.
Still, if it has sprouted there once, it’s likely to do so again, so monitor it regularly, especially during the winter, to prevent it from getting out of control and affecting the air quality. This is one of the most important maintenance tips to keep in mind.
Upgrade Entry Points
This maintenance tip is more necessary for old homes, especially if the previous owners have not updated them since they moved in. outdated entry points pose a range of issues, such as affecting energy efficiency and making it easier for people to break in.
Look for services like Renewal by Andersen window replacement to get an idea of what is required. You may find out that only a few parts of the house require attention, although it may be better to do everything to maintain consistency and appearance.
Although it feels like a substantial investment, it is also a long-lasting one, and the peace of mind that comes with it is priceless.
Change The Locks
Another important maintenance tip is to think about changing the locks when moving into a new property. This should apply to buying and renting, although it is not as straightforward if you’re renting a property as it could break the lease. If you’re buying a home, changing the locks should be one of the first things you do to ensure your home safety.
This will prevent any previous owners from trying to gain access. Likewise, anyone looking for the previous owners may have a spare key, which puts your family at risk.
The chances of this happening are slim, but it’s still something to think about, and it will help you sleep soundly at night.
Check The Roof
The roof is often out of search and therefore out of mind. If you are moving somewhere that experiences heavy rain or snow, or even powerful winds, you should inspect your roof to make sure there are no gaps or structural damage.
A damaged roof will encourage critters and the cold, which will drive up your energy bills as you can’t identify where the draft is coming from. A roofing company will provide a quote and offer advice for fixing it, which will keep out elemental damage including damp that could rot the beams.
Drain and Clean the Water Heater
Another maintenance tip people often forget or simply don’t know about is their water heater. Even if the turnover for the house has been quick, you should drain and clean the weather heater to flush out minerals and sediment that have accumulated over the years.
There’s a strong chance that the previous owners have neglected to do this, and this could make the water feel off. It can also collect and harden in your pipes, causing severe plumbing issues that could cause significant damage to your home.
If you have a garden and are worried about the safe exit of water, make sure that you install drain trenches. Not only do they add aesthetic beauty to the property, but they also help in the removing the excess water on the driveway and garden effectively. No standing water equals less maintenance worries and clogging or drain pipes because of wastes and debris.
Set Up Reminders
Home maintenance can feel like a lot, and some things are easy to forget about if they don’t cause any problems. Still, staying on top of everything while living there and setting up reminders will help maintain a consistent and effective maintenance routine.
You’ll need to monitor some things regularly, especially mold, whereas other essentials can be checked a few times every year. Whatever it is, you should be able to catch problems before it’s too late and perhaps identify an issue before something terrible happens.
Home Sweet Home
Buying a new home is stressful, but it’s also the start of the next stage of your life. No matter what you’re looking for, remembering these points guarantees your house is just what you were looking for. You’ll soon find that home maintenance is easier than expected, but it still takes a little effort to make sure everything stays perfect.