Buying a home is almost certainly going to be the biggest investment you ever make, be your most expensive purchase and (as an unfortunate fact of life) is never going to be simple, either. Considering how significant buying a house is, it’s absolutely imperative that the house is checked out before purchasing, and that independent surveys and checks are carried out to ensure safety and to avoid future problems.
There are a number of things to look out for, but for our latest article we’ve compiled five of the biggest home problems to be on the watch for when you’re viewing potential purchases this year.
1. Check For Any Issues With Damp/Condensation
Usually easier to spot in winter, though the after effects can usually be seen all year round, problems with damp and condensation occur when warm air is trapped in one particular room and doesn’t have anywhere to go. It subsequently comes into contact with cold surfaces, which could be ceilings, exterior walls or windows – this causes the warm air to turn to moisture which, over time, can lead to damp.
2. Structural Issues (e.g Cracks In The Walls)
Structural issues can be incredibly difficult to spot yourself, unless you’re experienced in construction or building work, but a few tell-tale cracks could be indicative of deeper problems. The best course of action is to have a reliable building surveyor carry out an inspection of the property, or ensure that one has already been carried out.
3. Check The Locks Are Safe & Reliable
Home security is absolutely essential, and simply having ‘a lock’ on doors, garages and windows is often not enough – cheaper or less reliable locks can easily be compromised by a determined intruder offering you, your home, and your possessions little protection. Make a point of inspecting the quality of the locks in key areas and either request they be changed or make a note to do so before you move in.
4. Watch Out For Drainage Problems
Drainage issues can cause a whole host of unpleasant, damaging and expensive problems for a home and, while you may keep on top of the health of your home’s plumbing, there’s no guaranteeing the same kind of proactive attitude on the part of the previous owners. Ensure a drainage survey has been carried out before hand, or schedule one yourself – CCTV drain surveying is quick, not at all disruptive and incredibly affordable.
5. Ensure Electrics Are Safe & To Standard
Ensuring electrical safety in your home is absolutely vital – any suspect existing work should be inspected (particularly in key areas like bathrooms and kitchens) to ensure it’s safe and is line with industry standards, either carried out by an NICEIC accredited electrician or with Part P approval from the local council.
If you’re buying a new home, whether the build is recent or not, and you require a professional NICEIC-accredited electrician to carry out any surveying and repair work then look no further than us here at First Strike Electrical. We can help diagnose any potential hazards or faults with the building’s electrical circuits or appliances, and can ensure that they are properly dealt with to ensure a fault-free and safe new home.
For more information of all our electrician services in North London, simply call us today on 0203 503 0755 or get in touch with us using our website’s online contact form – we’ll be happy to help with any routine repairs or emergency call-outs.
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