Everyone needs a little time to get used to a new home after a move.
Of course, there could be several things that don’t work the way you might expect. Or that you’ll need to fix and didn’t anticipate.
Complete these five tasks before you move. It will make the adjustment process much more manageable.
1. Locate the Electrical Circuits
Most homes use several electrical circuits to balance out energy use. The trick is knowing which circuit breakers cover individual lights and outlets.
Your home might already have a label for this, which is excellent. If your circuit panel looks blank, you may need to make a circuit breaker map.
Turn on several lights in the house, and turn off one circuit breaker at a time while you monitor them. That way, you’ll know which systems run on each circuit.
2. Test Out Each Appliance
If you’re like most people, you hire a home inspector to confirm that the home is in good condition before buying it.
Of course, tenants don’t usually get the same convenience. And there’s a difference between testing out an appliance for essential operation and confirming that it works.
If you have time, run the dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer. Change the settings on the fridge and make sure they adjust correctly. Test out the microwave and range.
3. Run Every Faucet
Running water is a necessity. The ability to get hot water when you need it is also quite important. You’ll want to test out every faucet for essential function.
Start by running each faucet with a sink and the garbage disposal too. Start the showers and fill up the bathtub. Watch as they empty to look for leaks or a slow drain.
If you’re moving into an older home, you may need to ask for details about the age of the plumbing. Old plumbing can hide all kinds of problems. If you see signs of water damage in the walls or floor, you’ll know to look further.
4. Track the Sun’s Path
Choosing window treatments and lighting is one of the perks of moving. To know which ones you need, you should get a sense of the natural daylight.
Follow the sun’s path throughout the day to see which rooms need extra protection from the sun. If you’re moving significantly farther north or south, you may need to adjust lighting for the changes in light and dark hours.
5. Inspect Safety Equipment
It’s essential to know where your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are located, how they work and that they are up-to-date and functioning.
Also, you should make sure that everyone can safely open and close interior and exterior doors. If any rooms have permanently-sealed windows, consider replacing them with egress windows you can use to climb out.
Settle in Your New Home
Once you move in, you may be too busy to complete these essential tasks. By starting here first, you avoid most of the common move-in problems. For professional assistance with your moving responsibilities, contact us for a price quote.
