New Home Blues: Six Unexpected Scenarios and How to Fix Them

There are several unexpected scenarios new homeowners often experience and some smart ways to protect yourself from costly repairs and aggravating situations in the future.

DIY Repairs

With the growing trend to “do-it-yourself” to save money, some repairs done by an amateur can be costly, or cause more damage than good. Check the entire home to ensure everything is working properly. This includes appliances, electrical and heating systems, and other areas that may require frequent or standard repairs.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

You would assume your new home is sparkling clean, sanitized, and presented well. When sellers present their home, much of the cleaning is done to present the home well. Floors may be shined using products that can harm them, and bathrooms may not be sanitized. To ensure the home is well cleaned and sanitized, mop floors with boiling hot water, clean bathrooms and surfaces with antibacterial products, and vacuum carpets before moving the boxes in.

Pests and Rodents

You will realize there is a potential pest and rodent problem after you move in. You may hear a tapping on the wall, or find pests in unexpected places. If you find you have problems with pests and rodents, call an exterminator to eliminate them from your new home.

Replacing Expensive Appliances

While some homes include the appliances in the sale, not all appliances may work properly, or could potentially fail within a short time frame of moving into your new home. Test all of the household appliances before using them. They may require a simple repair or replacement before using them in the long term.

Clogs and Plumbing

While your new home was presented well when you walked through it, you may go take a shower, do the dishes, or flush the toilet and realize the plumbing system is sluggish or doesn’t drain. Using inexpensive products, such as baking soda and vinegar in all of your drains can get rid of potential plumbing disasters. Other products available, such as drain openers, can clean your plumbing system. Flush your pipes with boiling water after treating them.

Outside Care and Maintenance

The lawn may be beautiful now, but pests, rodents, weeds, and clogged rain gutters can be costly and ugly starts to a new yard. Treat the lawn with fertilizer while it is actively growing. Check rain gutters immediately, and remove leaves and debris as soon as possible.

A few quick and easy processes can help to keep your new home safe and running efficiently, without a looming costly burden down the road. Even after a home inspection before the sale of the home, there are a number of potential problems for new home owners that can be avoided and several inexpensive methods of DIY repair.

“Brooke Chaplan is a blogger and freelance writer. After graduating from the University of New Mexico she moved to Los Lunas where she now lives and works. When she’s not researching articles you can find her biking, hiking and running. For this article she used a Houston exterminator company as a resource. Contact her via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”

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