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The first weeks in a new home are the cheapest time to catch plumbing and electrical problems — before they become the emergency that interrupts your housewarming. Here is the walk-through to do this week.
Plumbing checks
- Find and test the main stopcock — you need to know where it is before a burst, not during one (how to find it).
- Check the geyser — its age, that it has a drip tray and the right valves, and whether it has been serviced.
- Look under basins for drips and ageing flexi-hoses.
- Test upstairs pressure and run every drain for slow flow or smells.
Electrical checks
- Confirm you received a valid Electrical COC at transfer (and Electric Fence / gas COCs where applicable).
- Press the test button on the earth leakage — it should trip. If not, call an electrician.
- Check the DB board is labelled and not overloaded.
- Note any flickering lights, warm sockets or dead plugs.
Why the seller's COC is not the whole story
COCs confirm compliance at transfer — they do not promise the geyser will not fail next month or that there are no slow leaks. An independent first-week check is cheap insurance.
Get peace of mind
We do combined plumbing and electrical walk-throughs for new owners across Johannesburg — see safety inspections or book a check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Locate and test the main water stopcock, check the geyser's age and that it has a drip tray and valves, look under basins for leaks and old flexi-hoses, test water pressure on the top floor, and run every drain to check for slow flow or smells. Catching these early saves you from a burst or blockage weeks after moving in.