Buying an old home has its ups and downs. It generally can be a solid investment if one is prepared for the fix-up that follows. Surely, you’ll be getting a whole house for a very reasonable price. However, you must be aware that a giant pile of work awaits you. Buying that house is just the beginning of your adventure.
There’s a certain appeal to accepting such a demanding challenge. It’s an endeavor worth the sacrifice as you’ll end up with an amazing house that you can enjoy for a long time. Nevertheless, if you want to have a great home, you need to do it right. So, here is a list of absolute musts.
Ungrounded wiring
The most dangerous hazards of getting an old house lie in what you cannot see. The structure of the walls and installations underground is a complete mystery in this case. This is why one should check for potential ungrounded wiring as it’s a huge life hazard. God forbid you decided to meddle with electricity in the house and learn of ungrounded wiring the hard way. So, make sure to have this checked and repaired as soon as possible for the safety of your whole family.
Harmful materials
Many old houses were built using materials that aren’t completely safe. Most of them are not harmful in their passive state, but after drilling through walls and floors the particles get shattered and their dust can even be toxic. This is why one should check for potential issues related to this subject. Otherwise, these can cause serious health issues and can lead to actual diseases such as lung cancer. For instance, if you find out that your house was made of asbestos, you’ll need a lot of effort and quite a budget. Many people even hire experienced asbestos lawyers who can guide you through the process and check if you can receive damages for living in an unsafe home.
Galvanized pipes
Another hazard when it comes to old houses are galvanized water pipes, especially if your house was built before 1970. The minerals in the water can easily cause build ups in such pipes. Consequently, you may have very poor water pressure in your taps and that can be a sign of seriously galvanized water pipes. Moreover, these pipes corrode easily which leads to lead build-up – lead is a dangerous toxin that you’ll be absorbed through the water in your pipes. This is why you need to get a professional to inspect your pipes and it should be one of your top priorities.
Faulty heating system
Considering you bought an old house, chances are that the heating system is obsolete. This isn’t necessarily bad. If they’re in a functioning condition, you shouldn’t change something that works. However, the system could be faulty, especially if it’s very old or hasn’t been used in a while. That is why the heating system should be inspected and dealt with on time before the winter comes. If it cannot be managed in a brief period of time, it would be best if you found an alternative method of heating or a place to be until the repairs are finished.
Inefficient windows
Most old houses have old wooden windows that have an expiration date that’s either approaching fast or has already happened. Regardless of how well isolated the house maybe, it’s worth noting if the windows are malfunctioning. Faulty windows will cause a rapid jump in your electricity bills as the heating will have to compensate for the cold coming from the outside, especially during the winter. This is why an investment in high-quality windows is a solid one that is going to save you more money than you spend at this time. However, if you can’t afford this at the moment, start by using pillows or some fabric to block the flow of air through the cracks and make sure to keep the blinds shut as often as possible for additional isolation.
All in all, getting an old house can still be a solid investment. You can get an amazing location for much less money than if you bought a new one. However, you also need to be prepared for a significant investment in checkups and repairs to start you up. As soon as you’re done with the essentials, you’ll be ready to enjoy your perfect new home and be free to decorate it knowing it’s perfectly safe.
