Important Things To Do Before Settling Into Your New House
The tough part is over. After hours of gathering and packing, you put your belongings onto a moving truck. Then you say goodbye to your old house and move into your new one, which might be a home for you and your family for years. Moving to a bigger and more comfortable house encourages optimistic thinking and acceptance of new opportunities.
You are now looking forward to the extensive decoration work inside your new home. But before you decide where to hang that painting or where to put that sofa, you need to complete a few tasks before contemplating walking around your new house barefoot. The joy of moving into a new house might distract you from important tasks, though, as our thoughts are still processing this significant transformation.
According to moving expert Karl Graham, founder of Click Storage, When it comes to moving into a new house, there are a lot of small, often-overlooked details that can have the biggest impact on your well-being in the long run.
Here, Karl explains important but sometimes overlooked tasks to ensure that your new house is ready for a pleasant, safe, and stress-free living environment.
1. Change The Locks
Why would you invite strangers to your home, where you should feel most secure? The first thing each new homeowner should do is rekey or change their locks. Imagine sitting on the sofa with your family one night, watching a movie, when an unusual person wanders in and helps themselves to the refrigerator. This sort of thing will cause anybody to go into protective mode.
As Karl explains, You don’t know how many people still have keys or access to your new property, so this is a non-negotiable first step.
Rekeying is the most effective approach to ensure that only you and those you trust have access to your house, providing a piece of mind.
2. Swap Out The Toilet Seats
Changing toilet seats is a hygienic precaution that is sometimes overlooked.
It’s a small task that makes a huge difference. A fresh toilet seat ensures you’re not dealing with lingering germs from the previous occupants, says Karl.
It doesn’t matter how many cleaning supplies you use to clean the toilet seat. The best solution is to replace it with a new one! This fast gain helps you to begin your time at home with cleanliness and peace of mind in one of the most often utilized rooms. You do not want to treat your toilet like those in public restrooms. Having to wear toilet seat covers in your own house is ridiculous and unnecessary.
3. Replace Air Filters
“It’s called a ‘fresh start’ for a reason,” Karl explains, emphasizing the need for changing air filters in your HVAC system. Old filters gather dust, allergens, and even mold, so replacing them is critical to keeping a healthy indoor environment. Breathing in clean air has a great influence on your health.
This easy action may dramatically enhance the air quality in your house, reducing respiratory issues and keeping it fresh. The stench produced by using an outdated air filter can keep your home from smelling fresh. You don’t want that!
4. Test Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Although most homes include smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, many new owners neglect to examine or upgrade them. “These devices are your home’s first line of defense against potential dangers,” Karl says.
Testing and replacing batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors might save lives. A major priority on move-in day is ensuring that your home is safe and code-compliant.
According to Sherlock Plumbing, Heating, and Air, Smoke detectors warn you of a possible fire in your house by detecting smoke particles and emitting an alarm. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that may be dangerous at certain concentrations. Therefore, you’ll need a detector that detects the presence of CO in your home’s air.
Avoid keeping old equipment since sensors might wear out over time. Knowing whether there’s a fire in your home is crucial for your family’s safety. If a smoke detector fails and a fire goes unnoticed, it may lead to serious smoke inhalation and respiratory issues. The same is true for carbon monoxide, which is so toxic that even a fly cannot withstand it. Keep in mind that because the gas is odorless, it can become difficult to detect it without special equipment.
5. Deep Clean High-Touch Surfaces
Before you begin unpacking everything, you should thoroughly clean your new house, paying special attention to high-touch areas such as doorknobs, light switches, and counters. Even if the house appears clean from a distance, a magnifying glass will reveal some dirt and blotches. So a second cleaning will not hurt. Furthermore, hard-to-reach areas are tough to clean fully. So make sure you give such regions your full attention.
You’d be amazed at the difference a good clean can make in feeling truly settled, Karl explains.
Deep cleaning not only offers a fresh start but also helps eliminate bacteria and grime left behind by previous occupants.
6. Inspect Plumbing For Leaks
If plumbing problems are not addressed, they may soon become more serious. As Karl points out, examining the plumbing is one of the most essential procedures in moving into a new house.
Check for leaks, especially under sinks, around toilets, and in any exposed pipes. Even small leaks can turn into bigger problems if left unchecked, he advises.
Addressing any concerns immediately will save homeowners a lot of worry and money in the long run.
Also, if you discover any leaks, you may have to pay to have them repaired, but at least you discovered the issue early on. There’s nothing worse than acknowledging a problem and ignoring it until it becomes a much bigger problem. That means more money coming out of your pocket.
7. Replace Light Bulbs With Energy-Efficient Options
Lighting has a significant impact on how comfortable your new house feels. Karl suggests replacing old or dim light bulbs with more energy-efficient ones.
Energy-efficient bulbs help lower your electricity bill while also creating a better ambiance, making your new space feel more inviting, he suggests.
Who wouldn’t want to save money on their energy bill by using long-lasting, energy-efficient light bulbs?According to BKV Energy, “LED bulbs, or Light Emitting Diode bulbs, are the champions of energy efficiency. They have several advantages:
- They consume significantly less energy than other types of bulbs
- Some LED bulbs can last as long as 100,000 hours (over 10 years of use!)
- LEDs are four to five times more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs
- They produce a brilliant level of brightness at a cool operating temperature
Apart from their energy efficiency, LED bulbs also offer incredible versatility in terms of color selection and compatibility with smart home systems. With a wide range of shapes and filament styles, LED bulbs can truly transform your living space, both in terms of aesthetics and energy savings.”
Imagine returning home to a room with green or orange lighting. The various hues will affect your mood in different ways. The green lights may make you feel financially secure and wealthy, whilst the orange lights may make you desire some orange juice or Cheetos. You never know.
8. Locate Your Utilities
Knowing where your major utilities are might help you save time and worry during an emergency. When a new homeowner moves in, they should look for the fuse box, water stopcock, and gas shut-off valve. “Knowing where your utilities are means you’ll be better prepared in case of a power outage or leak,” says Karl.
This is a necessary duty! For example, if you work from home and rely on an internet box to keep your computer connected, it might be annoying if the lights go out unexpectedly. So now you must find the fuse box, which may take roughly 10 minutes and take up your work time.
Karl Graham Of Click Storage Commented:
Moving is tough, but there are ways to make it easier. Try breaking your to-do list into smaller parts you can handle one at a time. It helps to set up a spot in your new home where you can keep important papers and plan what to do next. This keeps things organized when everything else feels messy.
“Don’t be afraid to ask others for help. Friends and family can lend a hand with tasks or just be there for support. Make sure to take breaks and drink water while you’re working. It’s easy to forget about taking care of yourself when you’re busy setting up your new place, but it’s just as important.
“Remember, it takes time to feel at home somewhere new, so be kind to yourself as you adjust. Don’t panic if everything isn’t perfect right away. Just focus on making progress, even if it’s small steps.
About Click Storage
Click Storage provides safe and easy storage alternatives in Kansas and Oklahoma. Their facilities include sophisticated security features such as video monitoring and restricted entry. Customers may choose from a variety of unit sizes, enjoy temperature control choices, and request access to their units at any time. The firm offers month-to-month leasing with online administration and payment alternatives. Their customer care is accessible seven days a week to provide a seamless rental experience.
