Moving into a new home is often one of the most exciting times in life. We often like to focus on the superficial aspects of the new home and how we’ll put our own stamp on it through decoration and furnishings, but they should not be top of the priority list. There are several tasks you need to complete before you can fully relax and feel at home and once they’re done you’ll be able to get on the with the more fun jobs. To ensure your security and safety, here are 6 of the most important things to do after you move into a new home.
1. Replace the locks
When you get the keys, you might assume that you have every copy of the keys to your home, but you don’t know that for certain. You need to know that you are the only person who can access the home so it’s essential that you change the locks. You can add deadlocks to the doors yourself or hire a locksmith if you prefer. It would also be wise to invest in a home security system which you can monitor through your smartphone.
2. Take out home protection
Your new home needs to be insured against damage so start looking for home protection plans as soon as possible. Home protection can cover plumbing, heating, cooling, electricals and more. Having this in place is vital to not only put your mind at ease but also cover you financially if you were to ever experience a problem.
3. Check the plumbing for leaks
In most cases, the plumbing will have been checked before you bought the home but it’s best to take a look yourself for any potential issues. This could a dripping faucet, leaky pipe connections, leaks from the water heater or a running toilet. A useful tip is to check your water meter, don’t use any water for a few hours and then check it again. If you’re unsure about how to read your water meter, you can learn how to read a water meter to help you identify leaks more effectively. If it has gone down, there is a leak somewhere.
4. Clean the carpets
Before you bring in furniture, you should consider cleaning the carpets. This will remove any smells, dust or pests which might have been left by the previous owners. You can hire a carpet cleaner and do the hard work yourself to save money, but a professional cleaning service will be more thorough and more efficient.
5. Clear out the cabinets
From dust, dirt and old food to insects and rodents, kitchen cabinets need to be cleared and cleaned before you put your own kitchen equipment and food inside them. This is particularly true if the house has been uninhabited for a while. If you do find evidence of pests, take action quickly by contacting a professional pest control company. They will not only clear the home of pests but can also provide an ongoing protection service.
6. Familiarize yourself with the utilities
You need to find out how to control the water, gas and electricity supplies in your home including which trip switch controls which specific outlet and the main water valve. When you are going on vacation or in an emergency you will need to know where they are so it’s important to get familiar with the utilities sooner rather than later.