An old house is a great buy because it is often less expensive and provides more value for your money. However, you need to be careful when buying a new house. Older homes usually have hidden problems that need to be fixed if you want to avoid problems.
Here are some of the potential problems that you will need to watch out for and repair as you move in:
Foundation Damage
Unfortunately, foundation repair in older homes in Denver and other cities is probably going to be necessary. The foundations of your house are essential and they need to be in great condition. They technically are the only thing holding your house up. Even solidly built homes may have foundations that have been damaged through time. This can be due to various causes, such as rotting, corrosion, seismic activity, and more.
Damaged foundations are risky and you don’t want to suddenly find your house falling down all around you. You can identify damaged foundation when you see cracks in the drywall and the fact that doors and windows don’t latch properly. Have a professional look into your foundations to see if they are still safe and sound. They should also be the ones doing the repair.
Plumbing Issues
Another common problem faced by those who have bought old houses is the plumbing. Pipes are okay and durable when they are new. However, with water and corrosion doing their work, you can expect some of the plumbing components to experience problems. The result is leaky pipes. It can be devastating if you just let it happen. That is why you should look at all the pipes of your new property immediately to see if leaks are about to happen. You might even find pipes that need replacing.
Lead and Asbestos
Lead and asbestos were used a lot in the past because of their properties. No one knows about how toxic they were, which is why you can find them in many old houses. If you have a home that is older than the 1980s, it’s best to do some checking to see what exactly your home is made of. You don’t want to be breathing in or be exposed to both of these materials for a long time. Both of them can cause debilitating or fatal medical conditions. If you do find them, you need to call in professionals to replace the parts where lead and asbestos are present.
Wiring Problems
You might find some old houses that retain their old wiring. You probably don’t need to worry about the really old stuff, but some houses have electrical systems that are too old and might cause problems. You will need an electrician to go through your house’s electrical system to make sure everything is fine and that there is no potential fire hazard waiting for you. Modern technology needs more electricity, so you might want to consider an upgrade to your electrical system.
Older homes are a great way to have a roof over your head quick. However, hidden problems can make such purchases risky. Watch out for the above problems, so you can be sure that your home will stay in tip-top condition.
