5 CRUCIAL TIPS FOR OLDER HOMES

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5 CRUCIAL TIPS FOR OLDER HOMES
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TIPS FOR OLDER HOMES

• 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. Weve gathered some crucial tips
  to help homeowners to prepare, avoid and manage
  common problems with older homes.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Just because your home is aged does not mean its
  not worth living in! If you have the older home
  of your dreams, it is worth the extra
  maintenance.
• When you own a home thats 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

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Amenities in your old home

• Keep in mind the features of your home were not
  built with current amenities in mind. You cant
  expect all the bells and whistles common in
  todays new homesbut that doesnt mean they
  cant be added or incorporated.

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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
• Redo your roof
• Replace the plumbing
• Replace your heating and cooling systems
• Replace old electrical wiring with a more modern
  system
• Replace or reinforce flooring and wooden beams

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REDO YOUR ROOF

• You dont 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

• Theres 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 dont 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.

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Hire a experienced restoration contractor

• 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 949-326-7663. Anywhere in Orange County in
  ONE hour.