New Property Fixes
A brand-new property can take 6–18 months to fully dry out and as it does the materials used during construction will shrink. This means the following problems can occur.
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Minor Shrinkage Cracks
These small cracks can appear in plastered or painted surfaces. After the initial drying out period, fill these in with a standard DIY filler and paint over them. Redecorating too soon can cause the paint to crack.
Fixings
Screw heads might start to show in the ceilings and walls around the house. If they do, merely screw them back in as tight as possible. Fill any holes and paint over them.
Bathroom
Baths and shower trays can drop slightly as they begin to be used. This can be fixed by resealing the edges with a good quality silicone sealant. You should fill the bath with water first so it is at its heaviest, but be careful not to splash the sealant.
Chalky Bricks
A white, chalky substance appearing on your external brickwork is caused by salts escaping from the building materials, but don’t worry as this will eventually be washed away by rainwater.
Moisture
Condensation and mould can sometimes be a problem as your home is drying out. Try to keep your heating at a low, but constant level during the drying out period, as a warmer home is less likely to have these problems.
For more details on any new property problems, consult your handover documents.
*How To articles are intended as advice only. Please refer to your completion documents for specific information on lease and covenant restrictions and maintenance of your home.*
