Moving into a new home, especially from a bustling place like Bergen County, can feel like a whirlwind. You’ve packed up your life and said goodbye to old memories, and now you’re ready to settle into a new space. 

But moving in doesn’t stop at unpacking boxes. Your home needs some attention to make sure everything runs smoothly, so it’s a good idea to handle a few key repair and maintenance tasks right away.

Once the stress of the move is behind you, focusing on these early tasks will help keep your new place comfortable and problem-free. Let’s dive into what should be at the top of your list.

Pro Tip: Hire a Moving Company to Focus on Other Priorities

Moving is a full-time job on its own. From carefully packing up your fragile items to loading and unloading heavy furniture, it can take up a lot of your energy. Hiring a Bergen County Moving Company is a smart move. They’ll handle all the heavy lifting, literally, which gives you more time to focus on the important things—like settling into your new space and planning out essential repairs.

Working with a professional moving company means you won’t have to worry about damage to your belongings or straining yourself with large pieces of furniture. They’ll manage the logistics, letting you put your energy into making your new house feel like home. With this big job out of the way, you can quickly get into the real work of taking care of your new home.

1. Inspect and Service Major Appliances

Once your belongings are in place, your next step should be checking the major appliances around the house. Whether it’s the HVAC system, water heater, or kitchen appliances, a thorough inspection will help you avoid surprises down the line. This is especially important if the house has been sitting empty for a while. Appliances can wear down without regular use, so it’s a good idea to make sure everything is functioning properly.

It’s worth having a professional come in and service these appliances, especially if they haven’t been inspected in a while. If any issues come up, it’s better to address them early before they turn into bigger (and more expensive) problems. 

2. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Safety is always a priority, and one of the simplest tasks you can do after moving in is testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These devices play a critical role in keeping your family safe, but they can be easy to overlook during the chaos of moving. Take a moment to check that each one is working properly and replace any batteries that are low.

If the detectors are outdated, it’s a good idea to upgrade them right away. Newer models offer better features like longer battery life and more accurate detection, giving you greater peace of mind. This small step can go a long way in protecting your home and family from potential hazards, so don’t skip it.

3. Secure Doors and Windows

Once you’ve moved in, it’s a good idea to check the security of your doors and windows. Over time, locks can become loose or worn out, and windows might not close as tightly as they should, leading to potential security risks or drafts. Take some time to walk through your home, testing each lock and latch to make sure everything is secure.

If any locks seem weak or outdated, consider upgrading them for added peace of mind. Weatherstripping around windows and doors can also help keep drafts out, improving energy efficiency and comfort. A quick check and a few simple upgrades can make your home feel safer and more protected from both intruders and the elements.

4. Inspect and Clean Gutters

Gutters might not be the most exciting part of your home, but they play a huge role in protecting it from water damage. When gutters are clogged with leaves, dirt, or debris, water doesn’t flow properly, which can lead to serious issues like roof leaks or foundation problems. Right after moving in, take a quick look at your gutters to see if they’re in good shape.

If they look clogged or damaged, either grab a ladder and clean them out or hire a professional to handle them. Regular gutter maintenance is key to preventing water damage and avoiding costly repairs down the road. Getting this done early helps your home stay in great shape, especially during rainy seasons.

5. Check the Plumbing for Leaks

Plumbing issues can sneak up on you, especially if the previous owner has ignored them. One of the smartest things to do after moving in is to check all the faucets, toilets, and visible pipes for any signs of leaks. Even a small drip can cause bigger problems like water damage, mold, or increased utility bills.

Take a walk around your home, check under sinks, and listen for any dripping sounds. If you notice anything off, it’s best to call in a plumber to fix it right away. Fixing leaks on time not only saves you money but also keeps your new home dry and safe from future water damage.

6. Replace Air Filters and Clean Vents

Air quality matters more than you might think, and after moving in, it’s the perfect time to give your HVAC system a little TLC. Replacing the air filters is a quick task that can make a big difference. Clean filters improve the air you breathe and help your heating and cooling systems run more efficiently.

While you’re at it, clean the vents well. Dust and debris can build up over time, especially if the home has been vacant. Cleaning vents will help ensure that the air flows freely throughout your house, keeping it comfortable and improving your home’s overall energy efficiency.

Moving into a new home comes with a lot of excitement, but it also requires some immediate maintenance to keep things running smoothly. From checking appliances and plumbing to cleaning out the gutters and replacing air filters, these simple tasks help prevent bigger problems in the future. Taking care of these essential repairs and maintenance steps right after moving in allows you to settle into your new home with peace of mind, knowing it’s safe, comfortable, and ready for the long haul.

Photos By: Stock Images

You need to fix so many little things every month that you eventually become tired of all this work. Often, you just want to come back home from work, sit back, and watch a game without having to think about the faulty faucet.

Still, we can’t neglect the importance of proper home maintenance. “Basic fixes can increase the life expectancy of a roof by up to 5 years,” according to Cinch Home Services, an Ohio home warranty firm. A similar thing can be said for pipe cleaning, exterior painting, fixing a toilet, etc.

The good thing is that all this maintenance pays off in the long run. In this article, we’ll talk about 7 common breakdowns. We’ll also analyze which ones you can fix yourself and the ones you need help for.

1. Fixing Bathroom or Kitchen Pipes

Most people think that fixing a pipe is a complex process. However, you’d be surprised to hear this is something you can fix yourself. In some cases, you should need to tighten a nut, which doesn’t take any expertise. However, you’ll likely need professional assistance if a problem is deep in the wall.

In the end, you don’t want to make a much bigger mess than necessary.

2. Addressing the Ceiling

Fixing popcorn ceiling is quite a choir. It’s a type of home repair that requires professional assistance. The process starts by softening the area with a proper chemical. After that, you need to scrape all the debris with a sharp tool.

And this is where the problem occurs. You should be very handy with the scraping tool. Otherwise, there’s a risk of further damaging the ceiling by creating holes. You’d also need to paint the damaged area when all’s said and done. As you can see, fixing the ceiling is complex, so hiring a handyman is a much better solution.

3. Painting the Home Exterior

Painting the home exterior needs some time, but it’s a type of fix you can do yourself. Ideally, you should ask other members of your household for assistance.

Depending on the type of home, you’ll likely need to trim and rake your sidings and boards beforehand. Keep in mind that this is something that is better suited for younger people who are used to climbing the ladder. The process can be a bit dangerous, but if you live in a lower house, it shouldn’t be that problematic.

4. Unclogging the Garbage Disposal

Every now and then, you’ll have to unclog your garbage. Although a nasty business, it doesn’t require a professional. All you need is a special hexagonal wrench that would allow you to loosen up the cylinder on the bottom. After that, you should just poke around the waste disposal hole to separate garbage from the cylinder’s walls.

Another good method is using baking soda and vinegar. These powerful agents can dissolve acids and calk, which makes them ideal in this particular case.

5. Installing new Lights

Working with electricity is considered the most dangerous type of home maintenance. It’s one of those things that can seriously endanger the homeowner, so we always suggest that you hire a professional.

Most importantly, these projects require special tools that allow you to check whether the electricity is still coursing through the walls. Having these items is crucial when working with high voltage, which is extremely dangerous. Aside from having the necessary tools, professionals know how to avoid small mistakes that would cause lightning flickering and other breakdowns.

6. Gutter Cleaning

Cleaning the gutters is one of the most common types of maintenance. You need to do it several types a year to ensure nothing is clogging the drains.

Gutter cleaning can be done by anyone who’s comfortable on ladders. It’s a fairly straightforward task, and it would be a real waste to pay a handyman to execute this process. Although simple in nature, we still suggest that you have a helper nearby, so they can hold onto the ladders while you’re cleaning.

7. Addressing Drywalls

Fixing smaller holes in drywalls is something you can do without professional assistance. All you need is a spackle knife and some putty to fill the dent. After you’re done, you just need to smooth down the area and paint it over.

However, if you’re dealing with extensive damage, it’s much better to call professionals. In this case, the whole process will include additional steps, which is why it might be a bit cumbersome for an inexperienced homeowner.

The increased hours spent at home enable you to investigate all the nooks and crannies that need repairing in your home. If you’ve noticed that your home is a little worse for wear, now is the perfect time to embark on some home repairs.

The quarantine is the ideal time to organize your garage, swap out your ducts for a ductless system, and patch up any small tears in your screen door to keep the bugs from coming in during warmer months. Here are seven popular pandemic-inspired home repair projects for you to undertake.

Source: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

1. Patch Screens and Repair Windows

While your windows are closed against the winter chill, check all the screens for rips or wear-and-tear. You’ll thank yourself for your effort, come summer, when you can enjoy a summer breeze with no bugs. Remove the screens and look carefully around the edges for any sprung wires or holes. Screen repair patches are easy to find and easy to apply. You can also replace the entire screen for larger tears by removing the sealing tape and damaged screen from the inside of the window frame. Cut a new piece of mesh ½” wider than the interior frame on each side. Carefully replace the sealing tape and mesh, and then trim any excess with an X-Acto knife.

2. Swap Out Your Hardware

Handles, pulls, and knobs lose their luster, and drawer glides and hinges become squeaky over time, making your kitchen appear run down. A simple way to make your kitchen look like it’s just had a lengthy makeover is to swap out the hardware on your drawers and cabinetry. A screwdriver or cordless power drill is all you need to remove the old hardware and install the new pieces. Ensure you add a little mineral oil or WD40 to new glides and hinges to keep them moving smoothly.

Source: Alex Hariyandi/Shutterstock.com

3. Switch from Ducts to Ductless

A ductless system is a modern heating and cooling approach that saves you space, money, and energy. This system uses an outdoor compressor and indoor units to heat and cool zones in your home with no bulky ductwork, making the most space- and time-efficient HVAC system on the market. Choosing a ductless heating and cooling system over a more traditional one is an investment in your future. Not only does it save you money, but it also increases the resale value of your home. And you can customize your system by choosing which rooms should contain the air handling units, so you won’t pay to heat or cool a rarely used room again.

4. Organize Your Spaces

Closets, attics, basements, and garages could use organizational attention now and again, and quarantine offers ample time to sort these often neglected spaces. With some inexpensive shelving and a handy wall-mounted storage solution, you can create a whole new system in which everything has its place. Stackable boxes, mounted hooks, and a sports rack provide a place for all your storage needs.

5. Install Solar Panels

Spending so much time at home may have you thinking about ways to make your home more energy-efficient. Installing solar panels raises your home’s value, conserves energy, and helps save the environment. Although a solar panel expert is best equipped to plan and install an at-home solar panel, if you’re set on doing it yourself and have the skills to do it, it’s not as difficult as it might seem.

To install solar panels to generate electricity and decrease your carbon footprint, you must design a system that works for your household’s energy needs, buy solar panels and a mounting system from a reputable dealer, and install them. You’ll also need a solar inverter to transform solar energy into electricity.

6. Assess Your Roof

If you ever decide to sell your house, your roof’s condition can be a deal-breaker for potential buyers. A leaking roof not only creates unsightly water stains and breeds mold and mildew but also damages the structural integrity of your home. Leaks happen most often when caulking or flashing has been breached.

If you have a water stain on your ceiling or walls, it’s a sign you have a leak in your roof. After pinpointing where you think it might be, head outside with your binoculars to scan for any curled or missing shingles. You can reattach any curled shingles by coating them with asphalt roofing cement or with a caulk gun. For missing or damaged shingles, you must replace them. Take special care when you’re checking the end caps—the tent-like shingles at the corners of your roof—as they can leak too.

7. Clean Out Your Dryer Ducts

There are two major reasons you should undertake this home repair job: energy efficiency and safety. The most pressing concern about build-up in your dryer vents is the possibility that all the dried-up debris could start a fire in your duct, igniting a larger house fire. This safety concern puts cleaning out your dryer vents at the top of your to-do list.

Your dryer works by pulling moisture out of your clothing and pumping the humid air through a vent into the outside environment. If your dryer is plugged up, then your clothes won’t dry quickly—damp clothes after a full drying cycle indicate a clogged vent. After you get the clothes dryer away from the wall, which is a two-person job, detach the vent duct from the wall and your dryer, and vacuum out the debris as best you can. You can also use a broomstick to dislodge the lint in the tube and expedite the process.

Source: Benjamin Clapp/Shutterstock.com

The Takeaway

Living in a post-pandemic world has allowed us to make the most of our time at home. With all of this domestic downtime, you may have noticed one or two areas about your home that aren’t running as smoothly as they could be. Or maybe you’ve decided to repair and replace elements of your home like the heating and cooling system. Putting some time, effort, and resources into your home can add up to significant benefits later, by saving money and adding to your home’s resale value.