Many of todays modern homes lack the rustic charm of an older property, which is why many buyers are looking for seasoned homes. However, there are a few extra responsibilities to keep in mind. We’ve gathered 5 crucial tips to help homeowners to prepare, avoid and manage common problems with older homes.
What You Need to Know
Just because your home is aged does not mean it’s not worth living in! If you have the older home of your dreams, it is worth the extra maintenance.
When you own a home that’s older than 50 years, you must be prepared for things to breaking down and becoming damaged. The most common (and useful) items to remember are the following:
- Plumbing
- Heating Systems
- Cooling Systems
- Electrical Wiring
- Flooring/Lumber/Roofing
Keep in mind the features of your home were not built with current amenities in mind. You can’t expect all the bells and whistles common in today’s new homes—but that doesn’t mean they can’t be added or incorporated.
Avoid Pitfalls With These 5 Simple Steps
If you leave your old home as is, you will likely need to call the plumber, repairman or contractor sooner than later. Avoid common pitfalls by following these 5 simple steps:
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Redo Your Roof
You don’t want to wait for a heavy rain to realize you have a leak in the roof. Leaky roofs cause severe water damage, which results in mold growth, rotting wood and ruined walls/floors. If the winters are especially wet where you live, take measures to reinforce the roof with new and sturdy shingles. You can DIY or call a licensed professional to handle the job.
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Replace the Plumbing
There’s no bigger headache than poor plumbing, but you can fix this by going directly to the pipes. Older homes tend to use galvanized steel pipes, which are prone to internal rusting and clogs and lead pipes. While lead pipes are long-lasting, they pose a potential and serious health hazard. If you don’t know what kind of pipes you have, get your water tested for lead and go from there. Ask your plumber to suggest the best supply and drain pipes for your home.
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Replace Your Heating and Cooling Systems
Older homes do not have the heating and cooling systems you may be accustomed to. Older boilers are prone to rusting and leaks. If you replace it with an efficient boiler it will do a better job of heating the home and save you hundreds on your energy bill.
These homes also do not have central air systems. You have a few options when replacing this, especially if your old home is on the larger side. You could install a large ventilation fan or a standard cooling system. Talk to a professional about which is right for your home.
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Replace Old Electrical Wiring with a More Modern System
Knob and tube wiring is not safe or practical. Have a professional come in and replace this old system with a modern one, which should always include an electric panel and entirely new wiring.
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Replace or Reinforce Flooring and Wooden Beams
Hand in hand with water damage and mold growth are old flooring and beams in the walls. While it would be a huge project to redo the floors and walls completely, you can protect the old wood by reinforcing it to be waterproof. This means that even with a leak the wood will stay safe from rot or poisonous and harmful mold.
Owning an older home is very rewarding, but it does require extra care. However, those who enjoy the character and charm are often happy to update it for suitable modern living. If your home has experienced damage and you are interested in hiring a experienced restoration contractor, call us at 949-362-5388. Anywhere in Orange County in ONE hour.