I just bought a new home is there anything i should check right away or just wait till something breaks?
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You had a home inspection, right? Review that for all the things that the inspector said were 'to watch'.
1) Replace furnace filters now, and regularly going forward.
2) Check under all sinks/faucets for water marks indicating slow leaks. Slow leaks create a lot of damage long term.
3) Check the attic for moisture marks, evidence of animals, low/thin or wet spots in insulation.
4) Check window seals/locks. Air leaks are expensive in winter!
5) Air conditioner - clear away any weeds or debris that block air flow. Straigten bent metal fins (tool at hardware store).
6) Loose siding, soffit (roof overhang), gutters, shutters -- if they fall off, they can cause much more damage.
7) Locks, latches -- good time to simply replace locks and doorknobs -- you don't know who may have had a key.
you should have someone come in and look at your pipes and your water heater and also have your house checked for termites or damage from them you might have to replace your floors oh and you roof too make sure it doesn't leak
I am assuming you are talking about your initial walk through? or are you buying a new home for you that is a used house?
For a used house I would recommend a property inspection, they will check all the lights, hot water, as well as some structural things. It is a fairly low cost for peace of mind.
If it is a new house, you will normally have a walk through with a representative of the builder. Go through each room, and figure out what the light switches do, open windows, turn on ovens/stoves, make sure they heat up. Try the heater/air conditioning. I also check a couple of the doors, and make sure they are painted on the very top (otherwise they get dusty, and will slowly delaminate the door) Check to see if the rooms have enough paint on the wall, (the quality of paint they use is normally not great, and there can be some thin spots)
It is better to get the fixes done before you move in, they tend to be quicker, it can take several weeks or more once you move in (they already have your money)
if you want to be a perfectionist, look at the trim around doors, they tend to be pretty shoddily done.
hope this helps.
Did you have your home inspected before you bought it? If so, get a copy of the inspection report and use that to begin your home maintainence log.
If you didn't, then please find a reputable home inspector and have it done right away. If there is trouble lurking in your plumbing or wiring, you need to know now.
congrats on the new house!
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