Buying an old house to renovate, either for a property business or purely to make into your “forever home” can be such an exciting project to take on. Old houses possess such character and charm, and interior design can be so varied within them – either embracing their age or taking risks with colour and style. Despite the charm and excitement of renovating an older house, they can also possess many hurdles and issues that many people may fail to realise. Old houses come with lots of character, but they also come with a whole host of problems you can encounter too, that if not aware of could potentially be a huge drain on your budget and burden to your life.
In this post I will highlight 10 of the Common Problems in old houses, and how you can fix them. I am not a massive expert by any measure – our current house is only 45 years old. But, from growing up in a big old house at seaside, and living in an 1900’s back to back terrace for 6.5 years previous to this one, I have a few insights and at some point along the way, have encountered many of these things.
Windows
I remember in our family home that we moved into back in 1996, that they had these really charming sash windows. Whilst gorgeous and in keeping with the age of the house, they were the most draftiest things you ever saw and would even rattle when those sea winds picked up! It wasn’t long before Mum & Dad has them replaced with “double glazing”, choosing styles in keeping with the house, but oh the memories of that first Winter with rattling windows and extra blankets for bed.
If your windows are draughty or energy bills higher than anticipated, then chances are that you may need new ones. You could try to save a few quid by re-sealing the windows – this can help with draughts and potentially fix the issue, however if there are still issues after this then you may have to look at getting your windows replaced for something more modern and energy efficient.
Electrics
The electrics were another big job I remember that needed doing in our family home growing up and at present is a job we haven’t need to do in any of our homes. I kinda liked the old fashioned light switches, but of course they were most likely unsafe and ancient! Electrics are a tricky one because it is a huge job to rewire a house and a job you cannot afford to cut corners on.
If the lights in your house flicker, buzz or spark, or if you ever smell burning, do not put off calling out an electrician because the chances are they are way out of date and will need updating. Once done though, you have peace of mind and increased safety. Don’t forget that there is nothing worse than decorating a room, only to have it disrupted with rewiring – this should be one of the top of your list jobs before anything else!
Boiler Insufficiency
An insufficient boiler is a very common problem in old houses and can quickly be an expensive job too unfortunately. For starters it is important that your boiler is the right size for the house, and next to that you will need to be looking for things like its age and how well it works when under pressure. If your home never feels warm (even with the thermostat cranked up) or your bills are mounting, the chances are that your boiler has seen better days. Remember that the older your boiler, the more insufficient it will be!
To fix this issue you can begin by bleeding radiators or flushing pipes to remove any “sludge”! If this doesn’t do the job, then you will need to look at getting a new boiler fitted. Remember to get it serviced annually to ensure it is running efficiently.
Leaking Heating Oil Tank
A lot of the older houses we looked at before buying this one had oil tanks which to me was just too much of foreign ground. However, I have come to find that living rurally or even just in an older property, it is really quite normal to find heating oil tanks. If you have one in your home, or happen to buy a house with one in, then make sure you check it regularly. Old tanks are prone to cracks and leaking, so if you notice signs of leaks or suspect a leak then shut it off immediately and contact someone.
Companies like Certas Energy can help take care of your needs with this one – they deal with all things oil. From fuel to boiler care, and tanks to new Smart Monitors, they will have you and your needs covered!
Plumbing Problems
Another issue I distinctly remember from my teens was the old lead pipes in our home! I remember when we had the heating replaced and new piping put in and all being in awe over the lead pipes and how riskay they were! Whilst you may not encounter this issue in this day and age (I feel old) you may come across other issues such as water marks on the floors, ceilings or walls (not from eager kids in the bath) which may indicate leaks. Also a drop in pressure can indicate issues too.
It goes without saying that the older the house, the older it’s plumbing system and simple jobs like blockages and loose pipes can be fixed by your own fair hands (if you feel confident to), but other things will probably need a professional.
Lead Paint
If your home was built before the 1960’s then lead paint maybe present. It’s most likely to be found on radiators or around window and door frames, and can be damaging for your health.
The good news though is that it is pretty easy to get rid of. You can seal lead paint with a coat of modern paint, or strip it using specially designed solvent. Be sure to wear the right protective gear and masks though, as breathing in dusts and fumes can cause health problems.
A lack of Insulation
If you check wall cavities, floorboards and lofts and only see empty spaces, then the chances are that your home is lacking in insulation. Good insulation in your home will help regulate its temperature – keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the Summer and will also help you save a lot in energy bills too.
Installing insulation is something you can do yourself (provided you choose the right one) but if unsure, then get the professionals in.
Asbestos
Thankfully I have never come across asbestos in a house we have had or lived in, and whilst it is now banned in the UK, there is the unfortunate chance of it being present in older houses (or houses built before 2000). You can check areas like the walls and ceilings to see if it is present.
If you do suspect it is there, then be sure to contact a specialist. They will be able to offer safe removal, because when disturbed, asbestos becomes fibrous and if inhaled can be dangerous.
Mould/Damp
Damp and mould are really common problems in old houses. Often black and unpleasant smelling, it is usually found where the environment is warm and damp (so kitchens and bathrooms).
Mould is easily treated with specially designed sprays and some good old elbow grease. However, if there are big patches it may need treating or the exterior may need inspecting for cracks.
Roof deterioration
Leaks in the loft or upstairs room, missing tiles etc can all indicate that your roof has seen better days! Bowing gutters and moisture are other common signs of roof deterioration but it is relatively easy to repair small cracks yourself with roof sealants. If you discover you need it retiling though or bigger cracks and holes mended, then it is probably wise to call out the professionals!
Having your own home, as I have quickly discovered is so much work and upkeep! Older houses especially require much more attention and TLC, and whilst lovely when renovated, it can be a project far bigger than you anticipate. I hope that these 10 common problems will help you be extra vigilant when buying, renovating or simply maintaining your older home and help you and your family stay warm and safe.
*Collaborative Post
hi,wow! great post! It was a very nicely written article. I like to read it. I must say that I have learnt so many things.Keep posting!Thank You.
hi,wow! great post! It was a very nicely written article. I like to read it. I must say that I have learnt so many things.Keep posting!Thank You.
Wow! Everything I’ve read in this post is great. I am planning to renovate our home and actually looking for any ideas on how to do it. Thank you for what you shared, this will be helpful for me and to everyone who loves to stay at home.
Great information thank you for sharing with us
We know having a blocked drain is stressful. We’ll work quickly to get your problem fixed. Our drainage engineers carry high pressure jetting equipment to clear any type of blockage. Fast and emergency response. 24/7 Emergency Service. Advice you can trust. Call us now 020 3976 9272.
Nice! thank you for sharing your knowledge with us most helpful and useful.
Maintaining old age homes is a very tough job! Thanks for this article it has all the main issues you need to face & fix.
Great post, thanks!
One of the few common problems at home are plumbing problems. Hiring good plumbers is very important to keep the property running properly.
Thanks for sharing information. Our plumbing engineers also help drainage repair and plumbing issues. Call Us! 020 8877 3363
Good article. Thanks blogger sharing with me.
Thanks for telling me to watch out for any watermarks on the floor and on the ceilings as they might be the earliest signs of a water leak. I may have spotted a few of these in our kitchen walls but I initially thought that they might be an effect of faded paint. it might be better to call plumbing professionals as early as now and let them confirm.
I like the infographic!
Electrical and plumbing are common home problems that needs to be attended as soon as possible. And you might need to hire contractors to do the job.
Great post, plumbing and electrical are so tricky and expensive to fix. Best to have it inspected before you buy to avoid any future problems!
Nice post. Thanks a lot for sharing this.
Many thanks for giving the first hand account of the challenges of living in an old house and how to overcome them.
Hey, thanks for sharing! These thoughts are wonderful – gonna put some of the insights into practice soon 😉 Do you think it’s more expensive to start construction or renovation during the pandemic?
Seems like here in North Port, FL every time we buy an old house we need to redo the HVAC system. Nice article!
Thank you for sharing all this valuable information!
Amazing Post of Day ..Really impressive From the infographic.
Hey, thanks a lot! Plumbing repair is maybe one of the most popular problems in old homes. Most people, however, sometimes have no idea that they need to call a plumber. There are 10 important signs you should know. Check out our post on it: https://happyhiller.com/blog/10-signs-that-you-need-to-call-a-plumber/
Helpful info. Thanks for sharing!
Electrical systems should be checked when the house is old to make sure it is safe and won’t cause any fire or electrical hazard.
Thank you for sharing. It really helped me in knowing more about the problems.
If your boiler is old and needs replacement, consider a new, highly efficient gas tankless boiler. It can be a good investment for your home, which will help you to save a tidy sum on heating. The thing is, highly efficient gas tankless boilers only call for heat when your thermostat is not satisfied. As a result, such boilers are over 96% efficient.
There is something very romantic and charming about living in a say 100-year-old house because that house represents the style, and decor of those times, and you could easily visualize how your great-grandparents lived. However renovating it is a lot of hard work unless you have received it in a pristine condition from the previous owner.
Thanks for sharing this with all your visuals and all. I would like to add that just maintaining your gutter system can help to minimizing some of these issues. Having your gutters cleared out helps in two ways. It helps by allowing water to travel through system unobstructed. Which is important to prevent overflows. Overflows lead to algae or black stains on gutters or siding. also, may cause foundation. damage. Second way is that it gives a professional the opportunity to inspect your roof, chimney, pipe collars and other flashing which may not normally get inspected. Sorry for the long tangent it just not thought of being as important
Thank you for the great tips that you have shared! It was a good read. I am planning to get my house renovated and I will make sure to follow these tips. I also have to get my roof and chimney repaired and recently came across Elezi Construction NJ LLC and I called them for an inspection. I must admit that they were very professional and they knew what they were doing.
https://eleziconstructionnj.com/7-questions-to-ask-your-roofing-contractor-during-a-roof-inspection/