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You Just Moved In – Now What?
First, congratulations on the transition and move into your new place. Recently I’ve spent more time with folks moving out. Many more folks are still looking for a place. You’re moving in!
Exciting!
Exhausting!
Scary!
This whole house (and that mortgage) are all yours!
NOW WHAT?!
I want to offer you some steps that can give traction as you move in and prepare to make this strange house feel like your new home. With buyers I spend time addressing upcoming maintenance issues. Here’s a helpful list of the first house maintenance steps from a do-it-yourself perspective.
Step #1 – Walk Through The House
If you got the keys and are getting ready to walk through the empty house that first time, take a few minutes to snap pictures or video. Remember this moment and catalog what you see. For my clients I offer myself as a resource if they see something that they have questions or concerns about. Often during the inspection there is storage and items against walls that limit my visibility. Walking through the house gives you a chance to notice what you (we) did not see before. The pictures will provide good reference and future fun remembering what the house once looked like. Related to this is looking through the inspection report I provided for you and make a list of what you prefer to address. Once that is done you are ready for some maintenance steps.
Step #2 – Clean the Drains
The plumbing drains should have a once over. Pulling the drain stoppers and disassembling the sink p-traps will give you a chance to thoroughly clean gunk and hair. You’ll want some rubber gloves, a low profile bucket or plastic tub, old tooth brush, screw drivers and rags for this job. A “rip stick” drain cleaner can help reach deep into the drain. Pop the cover on the shower drains and see if you can remove or access the tub drain. Don’t forget the laundry room sink. If you are a little more ambitious, clear the drain line for the dishwasher and the air gap. Food bits and other materials can collect in this and back up.
Step #3 – Clean the Screens and Fan Housing and Furnace Filter
Remove the oven fume hood screens, bathroom and laundry ventilation covers and give them a thorough cleaning. Warm soapy water or the dishwasher can help clean removal components. Use the hose extension on your vacuum (a powerful shop vac would be best for this) and vacuum out the debris collecting in the fan housing above. Order a couple of extra furnace filters so they are on hand when needed. Write the date on the new disposable filter or on the furnace service cover.
Step #4 – Change the batteries
A little trip to Costco for a supply of AA, AAA and 9-volt batteries should take care of the majority of replacements. Remotes, smoke and CO alarms, and furnace thermostats can be replaced.
Step #5 – Label away
Many of the essential house components are still fresh in your memory from the inspection. Now is the time to take a step so you don’t need to worry if you forget. You can use a fancy label maker or black sharpie permanent marker. Open the electrical panel cover and ensure the electrical circuit breakers are labeled clearly and easy to read. This will make life so much easier later and may require some added steps to figure out which outlets and lights the circuits protect. Put a label on the main gas shutoffs at the hot water tank, furnace and fireplace. Put a label on the main water shutoff and the exterior faucet shutoff. Write the furnace filter replacement date.
Step #6 – Remove lint from dryer ductwork
Be sure the dryer ductwork is clear of major lint build up. Hot, dry lint can be a fire hazard and lengthen drying time. You will need a shop vacuum, flashlight, a brush that can reach into the ductwork and needed tools to disconnect the vent cover and brackets. Pull out the dryer unit to access the ductwork at the wall or floor. Also, remove the exterior cover. Use the flashlight to peer in and see what needs to be removed. If you do not have a shop vacuum or brush that can access the full length of the ductwork you may have to access the ductwork from the crawlspace.
Step #7 – Trim up Shrubs Against the House
This is a cursory and simple step and not a landscaping overhaul – you’ll have many other things to focus so try to limit this to 30 minutes. Ensure branches from trees and shrubs are trimmed back 18 inches to 3 feet from the house. You should be able to walk behind every bush. Rhododendrons and hydrangeas are the biggest plant encroachers in my experience. They are amazingly resilient so do not feel bad about any hacking or mutilation performed. Pull back any landscaping materials (bark, wood chips, gravel and dirt) from the siding and expose at least 6″ inches of concrete foundation. This is not just about beautifying your yard. This is about reducing access points for wood-destroying organisms like carpenter ants and termites and other pests. Trust me – the critters see your wood built house as a delicious feast!
Step #8 – Clear Roof Moss and Gutters
There is no better moment than now to ensure that the moss is on its way out and the gutters are clear. This is also one of those projects that I recommend be contracted out. Be sure the moss treatment is a non-abrasive approach and is part of an ongoing maintenance schedule. Walk around and ensure all gutter downspouts are properly connected above and to the house and terminating at a drain or splash block tray. The trays should be angled so water runs away from the house.
A drain suggestion: An hour or two into the next rain run out and monitor the downspout drains. See if water is backing up at any of these. The sheer quantity of water that can pile up around the foundation can lead to issues with foundations, crawlspaces, driveways and walkways.
Step #9 – Take Care of Those Other Things
There are several items not included with a standard home inspection. Lawn irrigation (sprinkler) systems, hot tubs, security systems, intercoms, etc. This is a good time to address these items as needed. If you are certain that you will no longer be using the system I encourage folks to remove abandoned and unused items. If it adversely effects finishes or is impractical you can leave these but ensure they are properly decommissioned.
Step #10 – Buy the Essentials
There are several important tools every home owner needs to have in my opinion. Ensure an accessible and consistent place for these in your garage or storage closet. The first is a ladder that can safely get you as high as you need/want. My inspection ladder is 12′ tall. That’s as high as I go on a ladder. It’s safer that way and I plan to live and enjoy a vibrant physical life. Leave the extension ladder and higher heights to outfitted professionals.
The second tool is a wet-dry vacuum. There are so many applications for a good vacuum but the biggest advantage is that you don’t feel bad about using it outside if needed and cleaning up nastiness!
The third is a simple tool box assembled with the essentials (watch for my next article on what these are).
Hopefully this gets you started as you move in!
