By Hannah Whittenly
When you move into a home that has been previously occupied, some of the items and equipment may be outdated, or in need of repair or replacement. To ensure your home is safe and running smoothly, and guarantee you don’t end up in a money pit, here is some of the equipment you may need to replace to get you up and running in your new home.
Air Conditioner System
When you move into a home that used to be occupied by another family, you may notice a few aspects of the house are different. The first thing you will probably notice is the temperature of the home. This can be a problem when it is too hot or too cold. If the previous owner installed your air conditioner system, they might have done so improperly, causing it to malfunction. This will also happen if a new unit is installed in an older home that was not built with AC in mind.
Water Heater System
Water heaters generally have a lifespan of 10 years, so if you move into an old home, there might be an old water heater still intact sitting in your basement. While water heaters generally do last for a long time, and some can even last for 20 years or more, they may not be able to produce hot water when they are older than 10 years. A water heater repair might be necessary depending on the condition of the particular water heater installed by the previous owner.
Electric Panel
In old homes, you might have a fuse box installed by the previous owner that is not capable of supporting your electrical needs. These fuse boxes might only be able to support 100 amps when you need more than that. It is important to upgrade or replace your fuse box if it is not efficient enough to keep up with your current electric needs to avoid overloading and possibly creating a fire hazard.
Lighting
Outdated lighting can create unsafe and hazardous situations for you and your family. If your house was previously occupied, the previous owners might have installed outdated lighting without replacing it with newer lights. If you want to make a good first impression when you move in, you will need to have all of the electrical outlets and light switches changed, so they are compatible with the size of your light fixtures.
Plumbing
Outdated plumbing can be just as bad as outdated lighting. If you are moving into a previously occupied home, you need to ensure that all of your house's pipes can handle the power of any faucets or appliances you plan on using. If a pipe has been installed in your shower or tub and it is too weak to handle the pressure of running water through it, you could risk having it burst and flood your house. You will also want to ensure that the toilets are in working order and are not leaking.
You may need to replace a variety of equipment when you move into a previously occupied home. Depending on the age and condition of the home, you may need to spend thousands of dollars on replacing equipment. However, if you are willing to invest the time and money necessary to make this happen, you can find a great deal on the house.
My name is Hannah, I am a freelance writer from Sacramento California and a mother of 2. I enjoy writing on blogs of all niches.
