It’s exciting looking round a Home for the first time; especially if you’re in a position to purchase it and are ready to do so! Unfortunately the excitement of buying your own place means that you may miss some obvious issues or signs of concern. Not all of these will be picked up on your house survey; leaving you to find out the hard way.
The bathroom is one place that can cause a huge amount of issues and the most inconvenience if it’s not working properly.
Here are a few things every first time homeowner should know about their bathrooms:
Water Supply
Water leaks are one of the biggest fears of any homeowner. It is surprising how quickly even a small leak can damage your room or even a large section of your house. You need to make sure you have good insurance cover in case this happens.
It is also a good idea to get hold of the number for your local plumber in Sydney or wherever you live. This will ensure you can get help as fast as possible when necessary.
To minimize the damage caused by any leak you need to know where the valves are in your home. You may have one fitted to each fitting or you may simply need to know where the main water supply valve is. If you have a leak you can shut this off until the issue is resolved.
This is one of the first things you should check when moving in.
The Layout
In the excitement of finding a home and buying it you may not have thought much about the layout of your bathroom. However, it is important to stop and take a look at it
Ideally it will flow well making it easier for you to use and less essential that you replace the bathroom fittings. Don’t forget this is a big job!
Replacing The Bathroom
If your suite looks dated and the bathroom needs tidying then you may need to call for professional help. Bathrooms have water and electricity; a potentially deadly combination. It’s a good idea to shut off all power and all water before you attempt any work.
Don’t forget a complete remodel of your bathroom is not a cheap option; if you haven’t budgeted for spending an extra $5,000 to $10,000 then you may need to modify your plans.
Energy Efficiency
The toilet, faucets and even the showerheads can all be energy efficient. This reduces the amount of water you use; helping the look after the environment.
It will also help to keep your energy bills down which are just as important.
Your lights must be approved for bathroom installation and you should opt for LED bulbs; these are much cheaper to run and give out better light than the standard bulb option!
Remove Bacteria
Your bathroom is a perfect breeding ground for mold and other bacteria. You need to clean it completely as soon as you move in and stay on top of this.
Mold and mildew can cause health issues.
It is also important to check for any damp issues before you fit your new bathrooms; this will prevent you from having more mold issues.
