A weekend-by-weekend checklist to make a new home safe: water, electrics, alarms, boiler and locks, calling in trades where needed.
WS-01Plan your weekend and free the stopcockBefore you start, buy the materials below and set aside a full weekend; total cost for this whole project usually runs £60-£150, more if you need new alarms or locks. Follow 'Free a stiff or seized stopcock' first, because a seized stopcock is the most common reason these checks get abandoned halfway through - if a later step causes a leak, you need a working shut-off. Allow 30-60 minutes, longer if the stopcock needs penetrating oil overnight.
1 each · Penetrating oil spray 1 each · Adjustable spanner WS-02Label your consumer unit circuitsFollow 'Label the circuits in your consumer unit' to identify and label every circuit - about an hour's work. Do this early, while circuits are fresh in your mind from moving in, so you know what you're switching when you test RCDs next. If you find missing labels, old rewireable fuses, or signs of damage inside the unit, stop and call an electrician.
RULES1 pack · Circuit label set 1 each · Permanent marker KNOW THE RULES
Labelling only needs the clear front flap opened - never unscrew or remove the consumer unit cover, as live parts sit behind it. Any repair, replacement or alteration inside it is notifiable electrical work and must be done by a registered electrician.
WS-03Test your RCDsFollow 'Test your RCDs' using the test button on each RCD in the unit you just labelled - about 10 minutes. If any RCD fails to trip, or trips and won't reset, stop and call an electrician; that's a fault, not something to diagnose yourself. Do this at a time when a brief loss of power to part of the house won't matter.
WS-04Test and replace smoke alarm batteriesFollow 'Test and replace smoke alarm batteries' for every alarm in the house - 15-30 minutes depending on how many you have. If an alarm stays silent even with a fresh battery, treat it as faulty now rather than leaving it for the next step.
3 each · 9V alkaline battery WS-05Fit any missing smoke and CO alarmsFollow 'Choose where to put smoke and carbon monoxide alarms' to check coverage - most second-hand homes are missing at least one, especially a CO alarm near the boiler. Before drilling any fixing point into a wall or ceiling, check for cables and pipes with a detector, and still expect something to be there. Buy alarms before the weekend starts, as shops often run low on CO alarms.
RULES3 each · Battery smoke alarm 2 each · Battery CO alarm 1 pack · Wall plugs and screws 1 each · Masonry drill bit KNOW THE RULES
Battery-only alarms are a straightforward DIY fit. Mains-wired interlinked alarms are new electrical work - get a registered electrician to wire these in.
WS-06Repressurise the boiler if neededFollow 'Repressurise a combi boiler' if the pressure gauge reads low - common after a house has sat empty. This takes about 15 minutes. If the pressure keeps dropping within days of topping it up, that points to a leak; don't keep repressurising, call a Gas Safe registered engineer instead.
1 each · Boiler filling loop (if not already fitted) WS-07Replace external door locksFollow 'Replace a euro cylinder lock' to fit a new British Standard cylinder on any external door where you don't know who holds a key - usually 15-20 minutes per door. Measure the existing cylinder before buying; the wrong size is the most common hold-up. This step doesn't touch electrics or gas, so fit it in whenever suits as a break from the rest of the weekend.
2 each · British Standard euro cylinder lock WS-08Know your gas limitsFinish by reading 'What gas work can I legally do myself?' so you know what's safe to check yourself and what to leave alone. If you smell gas, suspect a leak, or the boiler needs attention beyond repressurising, call a Gas Safe registered engineer straight away, and book them for the annual service too.
RULES1 visit · Gas Safe registered engineer callout (if needed) KNOW THE RULES
Gas work is restricted by law to Gas Safe registered engineers, beyond the limited tasks named in the guide. Never attempt gas appliance, pipework or flue work yourself.
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