CARING FOR YOUR NEW HOME
Like most new things, you want to take great care of them. Your new home is no exception. Whilst we have taken upmost care when building your new home, it is important that you understand a new home needs time to ‘settle in’ just as you will.
From experience, we know that there are some common issues that arise due to the nature of a new build home. We have put together some helpful tips which our clients have found useful. Of course, many of these are likely not going to be applicable to your new home, but just in case there are, have a read of the information that follows.
If you are thinking of making any alterations to your new home over the first few years, please seek advice from an appropriately qualified builder, engineer and architect. It is important to note that any alterations are likely not to be covered by and may affect your warranty so please make sure to speak with your warranty provider.
DRYING OUT
As your new home is ‘brand new – just out of the wrapper’, there is a certain amount of time that it will need to ‘dry out’. Drying out basically means giving the materials a chance to settle in to place, return to their natural state and dry out after being exposed to the elements during the build.
Small cracks in the walls and gaps in the joinery are very common in new builds. This happens due to the materials shrinking and ‘settling’ in to place. It is very unlikely that these cracks are structurally significant and can easily be put right by routine maintenance.
Cracks can happen by shrinkage and shrinking is accelerated with heat. To keep cracks and gaps to a minimum, it is very important that you let your new home ‘dry out’. It is most important to try your best to keep your new home at an even temperature – avoid the temptation to turn your home in to a sauna in the first few months.
Keeping your windows open for regular periods of time will allow proper ventilation and will let moisture escape more naturally.
Generally speaking, it can take up to a year for a new home to fully dry out, so be patient.