Old houses have a lot of character and charm that you just can’t get from a newly constructed home. With some renovation here and there, you can have a nice, functional abode for you and your family.
Home renovation can’t be that hard, right? Well, it depends. Sometimes, home buyers get so excited with the idea of owning a charming old house that they can jazz up that they fail to take into account the extent of renovation they have to do. Before they know it, homeowners are suddenly faced with a multitude of renovation dilemmas when it comes to making their old house good as new.
Here are the four biggest problem areas homeowners have to deal with when renovating an old house:
Plumbing and Electrical Wiring
One common issue with old houses is that they have outdated plumbing and electrical wiring that can cause problems for homeowners. Usually, galvanised pipes either get clogged or corroded, and the damage could extend to the blocked sewer lines as well.
Meanwhile, electrical wiring in old homes can be a problem because the system back then was not well equipped to power modern day appliances. Also, the old wiring systems were usually not grounded. These can cause short circuits that can turn into a house fire.
The best way to tackle this problem is to find a home designer who can give you an advice on how to begin your plumbing and electrical work.
A home designer help you find a contractor who can update the wiring system or replace the galvanised pipes with copper or plastic.
Asbestos and Lead Paint
One of the biggest cause for concern in old homes is asbestos, a fire retardant product that was extensively used in earlier construction. It can be found in ventilation systems, flooring, insulation, duct work, and roofing. Asbestos can be pose health hazards when it turns into powder (due to sawing, cutting, and scraping) that can be inhaled, as it causes severe lung damage. In my past home renovation projects, I always advise clients to waste no time in getting asbestos removed from their house. Better safe than sorry!
Asbestos isn’t the only thing that poses health risks in an old house because if the house you are renovating was built before 1978, there is a high chance that there is lead in the paint. Lead is released into the air when leaded paint is sanded or heated. The dust from chipped or peeled lead paint is very hazardous to pets and children as well as adults. It is best to have a professional examine and test the house for lead before you start any renovation.
Outdated Layouts and Cramped Space
Some older houses have outdated layouts that may not be maximising your living space. With outdated layouts, finding room to expand a space or rearrange the layout can be tricky.
The purpose of most renovation projects is to make the old charming house more functional for modern living. Gone with the tiny separate rooms and in with the open floor plan layout!
Also, some bedrooms in old houses don’t even have closets and due to the way the home was built, there’s no room to add standard closets. If you want to upgrade your bedrooms to fit modern standards, you’ll need to consult a home designer as well as a builder to figure out the true cost.
A home designer can tell you if it’s a good idea to tear down that wall that’s blocking the view to your garden, because it can be both expensive and dangerous if it’s a load-bearing wall. Keep in mind that walls do not only separate rooms but also hold the foundation of the house, so tearing them down can give you some structural issues to deal with.
Past Renovations Gone Wrong
More often than not, your old charming house has undergone some form of renovation in the past. Sometimes, past owners did renovations without taking into consideration the original design of the house. It could be the exposed water pipes from an upstairs bathroom or a wall that shouldn’t be there in the first place.
Homeowners usually won’t discover these kinds of issues until they start a renovation project. It’s especially important to have a capable home designer you can trust to undo whatever old mistakes you find.
Old, charming houses have been standing for decades, bearing witness to changing of season and homeowners. Renovating them to function in the modern world need not become a headache, especially if you have the right home designer to guide you every step of the way. Prepare a considerable renovation budget and truck loads of patience, and soon, you can have an old delightful home you can call your own.
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