You may have fallen in love with an older home but it needs some loving care. Before you attempt to remodel the appearance of the home, you may do yourself more of a favor to check and restore the structural foundation of the home. Many older homes, while quaint, require some upgrades as they age so that the home can continue to be livable for years to come.



Water Damage

Older homes may have more water damage, which attracts termites. Make sure to have the wood structures inspected thoroughly. Replace any wood damage and treat the foundation for termites. Make sure that when it rains, water is diverted away from the foundation of the house with appropriate gutters and spouts.

Settling and Cracks

Old homes have had more time to settle and so you might see cracks in the foundation walls. If water penetrates those cracks, you can have some serious problems. Make sure the foundation, basement walls and floor, are sealed against moisture intrusion. Exterior sealing may not be possible if you have a lot of landscaping. However, if it has not be done prior (as in homes that are about 40 to 50 years old), then you can think about doing it now to help seal out moisture and safeguard your foundation.

Upgrade The Wiring

Old homes can have wiring issues due to the electrical codes being different then they are today. Have the electrical wiring inspected and make sure there are sufficient grounds in place. Check the outlets to see if they are two-pronged or three. If they have only two prongs, they are not grounded. You will have to change them out. If they are three-pronged you will still need to ascertain if they are fully grounded in accordance with code. Replace the electrical box if necessary. Check most of the wiring in the home. You may or may not have to replace some of it.

Check For Lead and Asbestos

Unfortunately, older homes have older materials, some of which are considered highly toxic today. Old houses often contain lead paint and this can be difficult to remove and expensive. However, it must be removed. The same with asbestos if it is the kind that is easily released into the air. You can have it in floor coverings, insulation, and even the home's siding. To remove lead or asbestos, usually trained professionals need to be hired to do it safely.

Increase Energy Efficiency

Older homes are not as energy efficient as newer homes. The windows were single-paned and unglazed. Replacing the windows will add a big boost to the energy efficiency of the home by reducing heat loss.

Think about replacing old appliances with newer, more energy efficient versions. The furnace, the hot water heater, and any other housing system might be a good place to put your money. Even refrigerators can have an impact on your electricity bills, if you are exchanging an old model for a newer, energy efficient model. The savings on your utility bills can make up for the cost of the replacement in just a few years.