The desire to reside in older houses has a very human quality. It engages us with history in a way that textbooks and films simply cannot. The most potent and effective means of understanding how life was and has changed is to view it through the prism of a home.
A broad word for many different kinds of homes is “old home.” When someone says they reside in an old house, they may be referring to a structure constructed 200 years ago and has significant historical value. They might also be referring to the fact that their home lacks smart home features and was built in 2004.
Additionally, the definition of an old house varies by location. Older homes in the northeast tend to be more compact, winterized, and equipped with possibly vintage appliances. An old house in the west might be a shabby homestead with a sizable ranch.
Here are the most typical issues to check for so you can complete your research before deciding to buy a historic home or if you plan to do a complete knockdown rebuild.
1. Roof in need of repair
The state of the roof is one of the most common issues with older homes. While there are a variety of shingle kinds, the lifespan actually depends on the weather, maintenance history, level of installation, and roof quality.
Call a licenced home inspector to inspect your roof and determine whether any repairs are necessary after reviewing our roof maintenance checklist to become familiar with what to look for.
2. Lead and asbestos
Up until recently, dangerous materials like lead and asbestos were used in residential construction.
Lead is a neurotoxic metal that is especially bad for kids. It is frequently discovered in interior and exterior paint produced prior to 1978. Additionally, it can be found in significant amounts in plumbing systems from before World War II and in lesser amounts in water pipes from before the mid-1980s.
A natural fibrous substance known as asbestos is responsible for significant lung cancer and other respiratory issues. Up to the middle of the 1970s, it was common insulation and fireproofing material. By the late 1980s, the EPA had outlawed the majority of asbestos applications, but it never mandated that building owners remove any existing asbestos-containing materials. Accordingly, asbestos insulation is still present in many older crawlspaces, walls, and pipes.
Through prolonged, direct exposure to asbestos poses a major health risk, insulation hidden inside inaccessible walls is unlikely to do so. However, removal is advised if you intend to demolish walls, increase the size of your property, or carry out other sizable tasks that could expose asbestos-containing material.
3. Damage from mould and mildew
Homes that experience excessive moisture over time frequently experience issues with mould and mildew. Moisture-related microbe development can happen anywhere, although it is most prevalent in the bathrooms and basements of homes in moist climates. Older homes are especially susceptible to the issue because moisture may sneak in more easily through foundation cracks and leaking pipes. It is possible to stroll through a mould-infested older home for sale without noticing there is an issue, though, as infestations can begin inside walls.
While some indoor mould development is acceptable and even expected, unchecked growth has the potential to aggravate allergies and pre-existing respiratory conditions (like asthma) in healthy children and adults. The extremely young, the very elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are all susceptible to more severe infections.
Mould also destroys the surfaces it inhabits, especially those made of wood, drywall, grout, and other porous or semi-porous materials. Mould infestations left unchecked can compromise a house’s structure and make it uninhabitable for a while or always.
4. Air quality impacted by toxic gases
The odourless, colourless, and tasteless gases radon and carbon monoxide, which are frequently present in older dwellings, can be frightening.
Despite not being poisonous, radon is the main factor in non-smokers’ lung cancer, hence prolonged exposure is not advised. If the gas is discovered, it must be mitigated by a professional because it results from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil near your home’s foundation.
Dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, and eventually death can be brought on by carbon monoxide, which can be produced by gas leaks from your stove, dryer, oven, or HVAC system.
5. Outdated electrical
It’s almost a given that before moving in, you will need to replace your electrical system if you live in an old house.
Older homes’ electrical systems are unable to keep up with all the modern technologies we use on a daily basis. Prior to 1960, wiring has an average lifespan of 70 years. After 60 years, service panels need to be changed, while after just 30 years, circuit breakers. The home’s ungrounded (2-prong) outlets must be converted to the ground wire if you notice them. Another item to consider is the possibility that the wiring in the house you are thinking about will prevent you from obtaining homeowners insurance or a mortgage.
6. Plumbing issues
The chance of a pipe failure that floods the house or leaves significant water damage in the walls and flooring is the biggest threat posed by an outdated or subpar plumbing system. Even while the damage is frequently covered by homeowners insurance, a significant failure might temporarily make the house uninhabitable and cost tens of thousands of dollars to clean up. Additionally, it may result in longer-term issues like mould infestations.
Another plumbing problem with older homes is root damage, which is particularly prevalent in areas with dense vegetation. Older drainage pipes under or outside the home’s foundation become a target for tree roots over time. By bursting through pipe joints, they are able to access the year-round supply of nutrient-rich water flowing inside.
This results in blockages and backups without adequate maintenance, which can stop washing processes and result in water damage in low-lying areas of the house. Keep in mind that tree roots can spread widely beneath the ground. If there isn’t a clear culprit close to your main drain outlet, it could be the large tree across the street or the one that is on the other side of your house.
7. Foundation or structure problems
Even the most robustly constructed dwellings eventually fall victim to nature. Older homes are more vulnerable to a range of structural and foundation issues, including:
- Significant cracks or unevenness in the perimeter foundation wall or slab
- damage from moisture, dry rot, or corrosion to pilings or concrete foundation supports
- ruined piers (support footings)
- Damage from dry rot or dampness in above-ground studs
In areas with a lot of soil moisture, unstable bedrock, seismic activity, and other dangers, these problems are more prevalent and tend to happen sooner. The majority of structural issues are discovered by vigilant homeowners before they become unlivable, but rehabilitation is expensive and onerous.
8. Dated mechanical equipment
Your home’s survival depends on the water heater, air conditioner, and furnace (or boiler). Whether deciding when to replace each item, be careful to look up when it was acquired and its average lifespan to prevent the heat from going out or a sudden cold shower in the middle of winter.
What to watch out for:
- uneven room heating
- noisy water heater or furnace
- in-house humidity
- sloshing close to water heater
The likelihood of an uncomfortable or hazardous situation — like the heat going out in the middle of winter or an electrical fire — that requires prompt attention increases as equipment nears the end of its useful life. Additionally, older machinery is typically less energy-efficient, leading to skyrocketing utility prices.
9. Radon
A radioactive gas called radon can be found in some types of bedrock naturally. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon can be found anywhere, but it tends to linger in higher quantities in the Northeast, Midwest, and Intermountain West.
Older homes are more likely to have basement walls and foundation perimeter cracks, which are entry points for radon. Over time, the gas then spreads throughout homes with insufficient ventilation. Radon is the greatest cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, even though it is not hazardous when encountered occasionally and in tiny amounts, therefore prolonged exposure over the commonly recognised safe concentration is not advised.
In order to reduce the amount of radon in the air around a foundation, gas is often collected, piped to a rooftop vent, and then foundation cracks are sealed to stop additional leakage. Negative-pressure fans that essentially push radon from the basement or lowest level back into the soil may also be installed, in addition to many depressurization vents that are installed outside the home to vent the gas before it reaches the foundation.
10. Dated, Incomplete, or Ineffective Updates
Older properties frequently have had several previous occupants, sometimes a great number. All of those previous owners were free to use the property any way they pleased.
While many older homes still have the elegance and functionality of their original design, others have a number of unnecessary or out-of-date additions that lessen the experience of being a homeowner and may raise the expense of ownership. Particularly expensive renovations that might need to be made soon after moving in include:
- Kitchens that are ill-conceived, insufficient, or simply tasteless
- illegal bedrooms in basements (lacking egress windows, for instance)
- Unfinished tasks, such as a partially finished basement or a partially constructed patio
Knowing When to Leave
Even if your old home has a lot of the issues listed in its inspection, you shouldn’t let that deter you. You should be able to undertake the repairs and modifications required to turn it into your ideal house if the price is right and depending on your budget.
You could want to look for an older house that has previously undergone renovations if you’re searching for something more move-in ready.
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