6 Essentials to Check Before Moving to a New House

For many of us comes a moment where we have to leave our old home behind and find a new safe haven for our family. Many potential reasons may lead to this decision. Sometimes, the current house no longer fits our needs, a job requires us to move to a different city, or we need a completely new beginning in life.

Whatever your reasoning is, you need to ensure that the new home will provide you with a comfortable and safe space. Therefore, before you move or even decide to buy or lease a house, you need to check whether it is fully fit to use.

That is why having a home inspection is so vital. Thanks to it, you can determine the state of the house you want to move into, including the roof, house structure, electrics, plumbing, and more. If you want to move to a new property, here is what you should check out!

Roof and Loft

The roof is the first thing you should inspect. It protects your home from rain and other weather conditions, so ensuring it can provide proper defence is paramount.

First of all, check the condition of the shingles. Are they worn out or have any holes or leaks? If you find anything suspicious, you might need to hire a roofer to repair it. Otherwise, such problems can lead to significant issues down the road.

Besides inspecting the shingles, look if the roof structure itself is sound and safe. The valleys should be in good shape, and there should be no gaps between the shingles and the ridge cap.

Another good idea is to inspect the roof from the loft. Thanks to it, you can see how its structure looks from the inside and whether there are any leaks. You should be able to easily find a loft hatch and ladder to access the space.

Moreover, examine the vent pipes to see whether they are intact and leak-free. Once again, contact a roofer if there are any problems.

Water Heater

A working heater is a must-have in every household. Not only does it provide hot water for showering and cooking, but also for washing dishes and more. Hence, you might want to determine if the water heater is in good condition before moving into a new house.

To do so, check its rating label and ensure it is installed properly. It should also have an average lifespan of at least eight years. Furthermore, whether electric or gas-powered, the heater should have enough power to quickly heat water so you won’t spend hours waiting for a stream of water to warm up.

Electrical Wiring

If you plan to move to a new house, a wise decision is to check the electrical system. It has to be safe and sound, as faulty electrical wiring can lead to fires.

The best way to check the condition of the electrical system is to hire a professional electrician. They can give expert advice on the electrical wiring, outlets, switches, and more.

Wires may deteriorate over time if exposed to water or other contaminants. This situation could potentially lead to electrical shorts and fires. Because of this, all the wires in your home should be covered and protected from moisture, dust, and pests.

Additionally, see if the wiring system is not overloaded as it could cause electrical malfunctions. You could call an electrician to check whether any outlets have tripped circuit breakers or fuses.

Plumbing System

Your plumbing system consists of two main components — the pipes and fixtures. While pipes are usually hidden underground and are hard to access, you can easily examine the plumbing fixtures in your house, including faucets, toilets, and shower heads.

Before you do anything else, check if all plumbing fixtures in your home are connected and sealed to the pipes. Then, examine each fixture for leaks or signs of wear and tear. If you come across any problems, do not hesitate to contact a plumber.

For more complicated tasks, such as inspecting pipes or the main sewer line, you will need the help of an expert. They will have all the necessary tools, including cameras, to examine the condition of your plumbing system. With their advice, you can check your pipes to establish how well they hold up.

House Structure

If your home is more than a few years old, you need to check out its house structure. The exterior walls are easy to examine as you can access them from the outside. Just walk around the house and see whether there are any cracks or holes in the masonry. If you notice anything suspicious, hire a professional to examine the walls and ensure everything is safe.

Other than that, you might want to see whether there are any cracks in the foundation. While at it, see if the house still stands on solid ground. In case of any issues, contact a foundation repair company for help.

Heating System

An outdated heating system can be a real headache for homeowners, as it can lead to high energy bills and other issues. That’s why you need to check out the heating system before moving.

For example, pay attention if the ducts are routed properly. They should distribute hot air evenly in every room. If there are radiators, check them for leaks, rust, and loose connections.

Next, if there is a furnace, have a professional examine whether all the parts work as intended. They should look into elements such as the blower, fans, and igniter. You’ll want to regularly check the filter and change it if it is old or dirty. To find fast and friendly oil deliveries and expert HVAC services, you can click here to learn more.

In Conclusion

Moving to a new house is an excellent opportunity to start a new chapter in your life. But first, you need to ensure that your home is safe and sound and that it can provide you with all the comfort you deserve.

If you plan to move, check out all of the items listed above before doing so. Home elements such as roof, electrical wiring, plumbing system, and more require your attention. If there are any problems, contact a repair company to take care of them. If you fail to address these issues, you risk spending a fortune on future repairs.