First time owning a house - basic questions about looking after it

zzzt

Thanks for the useful replies everybody.

The house was built in the 80s. I did have a survey done and they didn't find any problem with damp. I haven't actually seen moisture on the walls or windows, I think it might just be that I'm used to a perpetually warm and dry 11th floor apartment. I think being on the ground floor means the floors will always be cold, might have to get slippers.

It was unoccupied for at least a few weeks before I moved in, not sure if the previous occupiers moved out before the keys were exchanged.

Replacing the carpets is definitely one of the first things I want to do, followed by the wooden flooring and skirting boards (less urgently, although will be interesting to see what's underneath). I think it's lumpy and uneven due to being done badly and being perhaps decades old.

I might consider a dehumidifier, particularly since in winter I probably won't be hanging clothes outside much, will be using the dryer and a clothes horse.

Also, I've been unable to find my water meter. Is it possible that it's the under the little circular black plastic thing in the street outside my house? If so, how do I get it open?

spadoosh

Personally would steer clear of dehumidifiers. Its just hiding the problem.

If theres lots of damp in your house its quite common to be from poor air circulation. By using a dehumidifier you are getting rid of the damp but not solving the issue of poor air circulation. Allowing fresh air to flow through your house will reduce the build up of mould spores, co2 and germs in general.

Using a dehumidifier doesnt solve anything, it hides problems and choosing dehumidifiers over adequate ventilation can encourage health issues. @Abcos You dont get regular headaches by any chance do you?

chelseablue

We have a water meter and its in the street outside.


I might be wrong but you shouldn't need to open it, our water company comes out twice a year to read it and the bills get generated from that.


I don't think its like gas/electric where you submit readings monthly
What water company is it?

Loanranger

I would be worried by the woodlice carcases in the house. Woodlice live in damp conditions in the garden, they do not come into the house unless there is some damp there for them to hide under. We have a bird bath on the ground outside and they love it under there.
Get that carpet and floor up.
A house built in the 80s should NOT have a lumpy floor! My house was built in the 50s and there are no woodlice indoors and no musty smell and no lumpy floors. Definitely something not right.

Hoploz

Take the carpets up and have a look. Probably the underlay has perished and needs replacing. Ventilate by flinging open the windows as much as you can in this summer weather. And clean everything. That's the starting advice.

Slinky

chelseablue wrote: »

We have a water meter and its in the street outside.


I might be wrong but you shouldn't need to open it, our water company comes out twice a year to read it and the bills get generated from that.

You might not HAVE to, but if you WANT to monitor your water usage, you can lever up the round black lid and read the meter yourself. Our water company only guarantee to read it once a year, so we check it ourselves when the estimated bill comes in in the summer. Better to find a problem (potential leak somewhere) sooner rather than later.

We had a problem with the water meter being 6 inches under water for several weeks, thought we had a leak, the water company checked it and found the seal round the lid had perished so they replaced it.

G_M

zzzt wrote: »

The house was built in the 80s.
not what I'd call old. Investigate the floor.
I did have a survey done and they didn't find any problem with damp. I haven't actually seen moisture on the walls or windows, I think it might just be that I'm used to a perpetually warm and dry 11th floor apartment. I think being on the ground floor means the floors will always be cold, might have to get slippers.
* check floor and sub-floor
* put down a quality insulating underlay
* replace carpet

Replacing the carpets is definitely one of the first things I want to do, followed by the wooden flooring and skirting boards (less urgently, although will be interesting to see what's underneath).
??? :huh: ??? Makes no sense. Other way round!

I might consider a dehumidifier, particularly since in winter I probably won't be hanging clothes outside much, will be using the dryer and a clothes horse.
Should not be necessary unless it's a smal property, and you keep the windows shut when drying.

Also, I've been unable to find my water meter. Is it possible that it's the under the little circular black plastic thing in the street outside my house? If so, how do I get it open?

Yes - that's it. It probobly says "water" on it. Screwdriver to lever it up. There will also be a tap or c*ck of some kind down there to cut off water to the property. Make sure it turns so you can use it in an emergency.

(there will probobly also be a sopcock in the property, eg under the sink, and again, make sure you know where it is and check it turns.

Elsewhere

G_M wrote: »

(there will probobly also be a sopcock in the property, eg under the sink, and again, make sure you know where it is and check it turns.

You should also find out where to turn off the gas and, if they are not labelled in the fusebox, which electrical trip switch affects which area of the house. Also check your smoke alarms are working OK regularly.

keith969

zzzt wrote: »

will be using the dryer and a clothes horse.

If you can stretch to it and have the space, get a condensing tumble drier, don't use a clothes horse. Don't know why I didn't buy one years ago, saves all the faff of hanging clothes out to dry (and they turn out less creased), no added moisture to the house so it will be much drier, and the latest ones are very energy efficient.

student100

G_M wrote: »

(there will probobly also be a stopcock in the property, eg under the sink, and again, make sure you know where it is and check it turns.

It's worth remembering to turn the stopcock shut and then open again every few months. Otherwise they can sieze up if not used for a long time.