Moving to a new house is always exciting and a big milestone to achieve. It’s a great way to start a new chapter in life. It will also be the place where you will make new and colorful memories. But moving to a new home also comes with many challenges, especially if it’s an old furnished house. It can be quite stressful as you have to go through tasks like packaging, planning, and moving. Besides, you also need to overcome some hurdles to make an old house comfortable for you. So here is a list of six things you must do before you move to your old furnished house.
1. Check the Floors
Before moving to an old house, you have to thoroughly observe the floor first. It’s one of the biggest concerns of moving to an antiquated house. If there are any defects, cracks, or uneven areas, it might lead to accidents later on. So it’s better to fix things in the beginning. If your new house has hardwood floors, you can refinish them before moving in. Refinishing will also give the house a newer look.
If the house comes with floor carpet, first check whether you use it or not. If the carpet fits beautifully with the house, you can choose to keep it. But if you don’t like the rug, you can easily replace them with your favorite colored carpet. If you see any stain or burn on the carpet, there are several options to remove the burns from the carpet.
2. Give Your House a New Look
Previous owners must have painted the house with their preferable colors. Since you are the current owner of the house, you also want to give your home a look that suits your style. So you can go for the interior and exterior painting of the house. First, choose which color suits your house the best. If you can’t decide on one, it’s recommended to go with white. They start the painting process. You can do most of the painting by yourself, but it might be time-consuming.
So it’s a good idea to hire professionals. They are quite experienced and efficient in coloring your house. You also don’t have to worry about moving your exciting furniture. A nice painting is one of the most budget-friendly ways to give your home an elegant look.
3. Change the Locks
One of the most essential things you must do before moving to the new house is changing the old locks. It’s almost impossible to move to a new house with old locks and keys. Safety is always a top priority for everyone when it comes to houses. Old locks can be a big danger to your security because you won’t know who has the keys to your house. The previous owners might have given their keys to anyone, and that creates a threat to your privacy. So you must change the locks before moving to your new home.
4. Perform a Deep Cleaning Session
Cleaning is essential, especially before moving to an old house. A thorough cleaning is needed before you start moving your valuable things into the new home. Start cleaning the ceiling first. From the ceiling fans to the overhead lighting fixtures, everything should be cleaned with a wet towel.
The kitchen is the area that most likely needs the most attention while cleaning. First, focus on the cabinets and countertops. Scrub them with a wet towel and move on to other parts of the kitchen. Don’t forget to clean the appliances like the oven, microwave, dishwasher, and sink. When using cleaning products, try not to use harmful chemicals. Using citric acid can be a great eco-friendly solution for your regular cleaning sessions.
Bathrooms also need special attention when it comes to thorough cleaning. The main focus of cleaning bathrooms is to have no germs and bad odors. First, clean the toilets and make them spotless. It’s recommended to replace the toilet seats. Don’t forget to clean the door handle with an antibacterial spray.
Lastly, check all the rooms and see if any further cleaning is needed. If you think more cleaning is required, also ask for professional help.
5. Check the Electrical Outlets
In this modern era, most of us have a bunch of electronic devices. So checking all the electrical outlets is an important part before moving to an old house and installing our devices. Check if all the electrical outlets are functioning properly. See if any additional outlet is needed. Then focus on the wall switches. Most old houses have several problems related to electric switches and wiring. It can often lead to fire hazards and accidents. So if the switches are too old, replace them with new ones. To check the wiring and electrical panel of the house, hire an expert and see if further changes are needed to ensure the safety of the house.
6. Check the Refrigerator & Air Conditioner
Refrigerators are one of the most used household items in our daily lives. If the house comes with a refrigerator, first check the cooling system. You can also replace the refrigerator coils for better quality cooling. To clean the fridge, remove the drawers and shelves and clean them with soap and water.
One of the biggest problems of old houses is their poor air conditioning systems. So you must test the quality of the air conditioning first. If they’re working properly, plan to clean the air conditioner condensers and evaporators. Cleaning them can be a bit of a hassle, but dust particles often cause a lot of issues with the air conditioning system. Use a vacuum to clean the parts of the air conditioner. For deep cleaning, you can hire professionals.
Conclusion
Although moving to a new house feels fun, it can be overwhelming as well. You have to plan out a lot of things, and it can be quite stressful. Follow these above-mentioned tips, and you’ll be facing less hassle while moving to your new house.
