Moving into your new home
When you first move in there are a few tasks you should carry out to make sure your experience is as enjoyable as possible.
- Please check you have all door and window keys
- Take meter readings to ensure there is a clear handover of responsibility for the utility bills
- Order your bins
- While every home is thoroughly checked before the sale, building a home is a big project and occasionally there can be some minor issues, from cracked tiles to stiff door handles. Please check your home over within the first 24 hours and report any issues immediately to [email protected]
Your warranty
Your home is covered for the first two years by Dennis Edwards Homes. Any suspected defects should be emailed to [email protected] and include:
- Your address
- A description of the suspected defect
- Photographs showing the suspected defect
- A contact telephone number
Your new home will need to get used to being lived in and there are a few good things you can do to help it on its way.
Efflorescence
The white marks on the brickwork of your property typically occur during the initial cure of a cementitious product, when water moving through a wall, or being driven out as a result of the heat of hydration as cement stone is being formed. The white marks can usually be removed by wiping or bushing with a dry, stiff brush. Do not attempt to wash off the salts, as this can make it worse.
Condensation
Accounting for approximately 70% of domestic damp, condensation is usually caused by a lack of balance between heating and ventilation, causing a relative humidity. Drying wet clothes on a radiator, using a tumble dryer, hot baths and showers, cooking and even breathing all contribute to an average 17 litres of water vapour per day for the average family. This can cause peeling wallpaper, crumbling plaster and mould.
Drying out
You will move into your new home during the ‘drying out’ process. The materials used to build your home such as plaster, concrete and mortar are mixed using water, which will naturally evaporate and cause condensation in your home. This is known as ‘drying out’ and will last around six months.
You can reduce the effects of drying out with the following steps:
- Wipe condensation from windows
- Cover pans when cooking
- Dry clothing outdoors when possible. If using a tumble dryer, make sure it has an outdoor vent or is fitted with a condenser
- Don’t block air bricks or vents
- Leave windows or trickle vents open when possible
- When taking a bath or shower, close doors and leave bathroom window open to disperse excess moisture and stop it spreading to the rest of the house
Shrinkage
In the construction phase, the building materials in your home absorb moisture. As the new home is lived in and heats up, some parts will naturally start to dry and shrinkage occurs. You may notice small cracks appearing in the plaster, paintwork and woodwork – e.g. around door frames. This is perfectly normal and not a sign of any structural defect.
Shrinkage is very common and affects most new homes. The effects can be minimised by keeping the house well ventilated and not overheating it for at least 12-18 months. The faster it dries out the more obvious the effects of the shrinkage will be.
If cracks appear, they should be left for a few months before you try to repair them. Use good quality filler on any gaps.
Shrinkage Repairs
If normal shrinkage occurs, they are classed as general home maintenance and therefore are not covered by your warranty.
Any cracks wider than a £1 coin can be reported for repair.
‘Nail Pops’
‘Nail pops’ – raised, round bumps on walls and ceilings – are another common result of shrinkage and settlement that are not covered by your warranty.
To find out more about home care advice and what’s included in you LABC warranty, visit: https://www.labcwarranty.co.uk/homeowners/