The first 15 things to do when you move in — regardless of season. Start with the safety and security items, then work through the rest in your first 30 days.
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1. Locate and label your main water shutoff valve
In a plumbing emergency, minutes matter. Know exactly where this is before you need it.
Plumbing
2. Locate your electrical panel and label every circuit
An unlabeled panel wastes time during outages and renovations. Take 20 minutes and map every breaker.
Electrical
3. Change all exterior locks
You don't know who has copies of the keys — previous owners, contractors, real estate agents, or cleaners.
Entry Doors
4. Test every GFCI outlet
Press the test button on outlets in bathrooms, kitchen, garage, and exterior. Replace any that don't trip or reset.
Electrical
5. Locate your gas shutoff and know how to turn it off
In a gas emergency you need to act immediately. Know where the shutoff is before there is an emergency.
Plumbing
6. Find your roof age — pull the permit history
Your county's permit database shows when the last roof permit was pulled. This tells you how much life is left.
Roof
7. Check attic for daylight, staining, or soft decking
Active or historical leaks show up as staining. Soft spots indicate rot. A flashlight and 10 minutes can reveal serious problems.
Roof
8. Run water at every fixture and check under every sink
Slow drips under sinks often go unnoticed for years and cause cabinet rot and mold. Check now and fix early.
Plumbing
9. Flush the water heater
If you don't know when it was last flushed, treat it as never. Sediment buildup shortens water heater life significantly.
Water Heater
10. Test smoke detectors on every level
Replace any that don't respond or are over 10 years old. Sensors degrade and may not trigger reliably after a decade.
Safety
11. Find the sewer cleanout location
If a drain backs up, a plumber needs fast access to the cleanout. Know where it is before you need to tell them.
Plumbing
12. Walk the foundation perimeter and photograph any cracks
Document existing cracks now so you have a baseline. New cracks that appear later indicate active movement.
Foundation
13. Check all windows open, lock, and seal properly
Failed locks are a security issue. Windows that won't open are an egress safety concern. Failed seals waste energy.
Windows
14. Locate crawl space access and inspect for moisture
Moisture in a crawl space causes mold, rot, and structural damage. Find it before it finds you.
Foundation
15. Document all systems with photos of model numbers
When something breaks, a photo of the model number saves hours. Photograph HVAC, water heater, electrical panel, and appliances.