It often happens that people, when buying a house, choose to buy a fixer-upper as they are generally more affordable.
However, unless you are experienced in that type of work and you have enough skill to be able to accurately assess the state a particular house is in, this might not be the best idea.
However, if you’ve bought an investment property overseas and are ready to move across the pond, or have been given the keys to an old house or you are living in one and the time has come to do some remodeling, there are certain things you’ll need to pay special attention to.
Here are the most common things you’ll need to be extra careful with.
Limited or Unavailable Materials
When it comes to remodeling old houses, one of the most common concerns is the materials that were used when the houses were originally built.
Oftentimes, it can happen that you can’t quite find the right fit, which is why you’ll need to consider replacing everything entirely.
While the matching type of brick or a wall supporting beam are not so essential to find, being able to find the right type of wooden floor or the matching tile set can be quite difficult.
So, instead of trying to somehow combine the old and the new, unless you’re able to find the perfect match, you should always choose to replace existing items with new ones entirely.
Potentially Harmful Compounds
Another major concern revolves around the materials that were once used in the house building industry.
More often than not, walls were insulated with materials that were rich in asbestos and the paints that were once most commonly used contained lead.
That’s why it would be best if you hire experts to inspect your home and ensure that there are no such harmful compounds found indoors.
On the other hand, if they do happen to find them, you need to do all you can to get rid of them or – at the very least – contain them so that they don’t put anyone’s health at risk.
Outdated Wiring
Old houses usually contain the original electrical grid that’s, of course, nowadays considered entirely outdated.
And while nothing bad has happened so far, ensure that it never will.
Nowadays, especially, the need for a reliable grid has never been higher. It’s estimated that by next year, an average Australian household will have at least 35 connected devices.
That’s why many Aussies living in older houses choose to rely on an expert electrician from Western Suburbs to install a new electrical grid that will be suited for a modern family’s needs.
Outdated Plumbing
Plumbing is another major concern when talking about older houses.
The fact of the matter is that the pipes that were originally installed when the house was built are probably too worn out and outdated.
If there are any leaky pipes in your house, do know that they can significantly compromise the structural integrity of your property which is why you need to fix them up as soon as possible.
Furthermore, old pipes were most commonly made of lead, which can potentially be quite dangerous if ingested – through drinking water, for example.
That’s why you need to inspect your plumbing and either replace it entirely or upgrade and make it safer for use if possible.
Pest Infestation
Finally, old houses can oftentimes suffer from various forms of pest infestation.
Be it termites, rats, cockroaches or other creepy crawlies, you surely don’t want to share your house with such roommates.
So, before you start any serious remodeling project, make sure you don’t share a home with pests.
Not only can they seriously compromise your property’s structure, but their waste can be quite harmful to human health.
Therefore, if you’re renovating an old house, make sure you keep your eyes out for these common issues.
If you notice any of them, it would be wise to remedy the situation as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you will risk not only your property’s structure, but everyone’s well being as well.