Moving in tips from a pro plumber
We were recently contacted through twitter by Rod Alexander, an experienced plumber, who has offered us his top tips for moving into your new home. Thanks very much Rod, some great advice here!
Here’s a bit about Rod:
Rod Alexander of PlumbXtra has been involved in property development for 10 years. Rod currently runs a successful plumbing, heating & drainage business in Glasgow. He works as part of a trade team which includes electricians, plasterers, builders and damp proof specialists.
He has had countless experiences working with members of the public and businesses in both planned and emergency work situations. He also advises businesses in reducing their energy footprint, including the fitting of water reduction fittings and boiler controls. The plumbing business is looking to expand into non-invasive leak detection services using infra-red cameras. For more about Rod’s services, see www.plumbxtra.co.uk
Rod’s hints and tips for moving in:
1. Change your door keys, as you don’t know who might have a spare set!
2. Upon your arrival, read the water, electricity & gas meters (take pictures with smart phone). Check that the security alarm, electricity, gas, central heating and water work. Run hot & cold water from the taps to ensure that they are working properly.
3. Run the boiler for at least 24hrs to quickly identify any potential problems with the boiler, such as water pressure reduction and water leaks.
4. Check that the radiators heat up with an even heat spread across the surface.
5. Have the boiler serviced within a few days of arrival.
6. Have a carbon monoxide detector fitted on the day of entry. If there’s one already fitted, have the battery changed.
7. Identify where the water and gas stop-cock valves are located. Check that the valves operate. Don’t wait for a burst pipe to find out that the stop-cock handle does not turn off!
8. Be prepared and have the phone numbers or business cards of recommended trades such as a plumber, electrician, painter and builder. Word of mouth referrals are the best ways to find reliable tradespeople. Yellow Pages is a riskier way to find a trade in an emergency situation.
9. If you stay in a traditional property, check the water mains pipe is not a lead supply. Lead pipes are over 100 years old and tend to leak and are a hazard to health.
10. When looking at home insurance policies, consider a comprehensive policy. It’s typically a bit more expensive, but when it comes to building damage caused by leaks or other serious events – you don’t want to be left at financial risk when insurance companies only partially cover the cost of expensive floods or pipe leaks. Always check what policy exclusions apply before you buy a policy. Remember, the cheapest policies online do not always offer the best, most extensive insurance cover.