Old homes have a distinct character and charm, such as pocket doors and exposed brick, giving nostalgic vibes.
And that is why many millennials find old homes attractive enough to buy. However, no matter how attractive a historic house is, you need to make it comfortable enough for a modern lifestyle.
You may need to fix or replace several things in that century-old house of your choice. But then, what exactly are those things that need replacement in an older home?
If you are not sure what to fix up, here are seven things to replace when moving into an older home:
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1. Replace the Locks of Every Door
Some old houses may have been vacant for decades. But before you start living here, make sure you get the locks of every door switched for newer or modern ones.
You may decide to install an encrypted lock system on your front door while other locks can be used for the others.
2. Replace the Heating and Cooling System
Replacing the heating and cooling system is of great importance. Most vintage homes were not built with air conditioners.
For heating, they relied heavily on open fireplaces or wood-burning stoves. You do not want to joke with this aspect of your home, or you may end up paying for it dearly.
If you are not in this line of business, the best way out is to get in touch with professionals such as Air Conditioning Industries. They will show you what your options are when it comes to replacing your cooling system.
3. The Roof
Most roofs of vintage homes miraculously last a hundred years. However, do not purchase a historic house if you will not get a new roof.
Most old homes have slate roofs, and you may want to retain that look by getting a new slate roof. However, if you follow this route, you may need to rob a bank.
A much better and cost-effective option is to install an architectural shingle roof. Make sure that the type you install looks almost like slate.
You will not even spend up to $700 per 100 square feet if you opt for an architectural shingle roof.
4. Replace Anything with Asbestos or Lead with A Modern Equivalent
Most century-old homes have common hazards like asbestos and lead. These were commonly found in construction and insulation materials used before 1978.
For instance, many old houses were painted with lead-based paint. Some vintage homes had ceilings made of almost 90 % asbestos.
You know the health hazards these materials bring to the table. Therefore, do your best to replace them with their modern and safer equivalents.
Some aspects of the century-old house may have lost that ‘old look’. But at least, you and your family can live there with peace of mind, safe from any potential health hazard.
5. Replace the Plumbing System
Old pipes can look so beautiful on the surface. But as you are well aware, looks can be very deceiving.
Several materials have been used for plumbing in homes over the past 100 years or so. Cast iron, clay pipes, and even galvanized steel were the most commonly used materials for plumbing back in the day.
Even though most of these have been replaced with modern plastics in recent times, many old homes still retain the old systems. These are doomed to fail later on if you do nothing about it.
Therefore, get a professional plumber to look over the plumbing system. Make sure every old pipe is replaced with modern equivalents.
6. Replace Outdated Electrical Wiring Systems
The electrical wiring systems in most historic homes do not require a ground since it was a 2-wire system.
Modern-day wiring systems are 3-wire or 4-wire systems. This implies that you must upgrade the electrical system to meet modern standards of building codes. It is also highly essential to replace the fuse box in your vintage home with a circuit breaker box.
7. Remove Old Carpet and Replace with New Ones
Some old carpets may have dander that may trigger allergic reactions in some members of your household. Therefore, remove them and replace them with new ones.
If you do not know how to remove staples, you may have to talk to a professional to do it for you.
Conclusion
So, there you have it: seven things to replace when moving into an older home. Buying and settling into an older home should pose no challenge in any way, as long as you are fully armed with this factual information.
Make sure you perform your due diligence on any old home you fancy. And if you can replace the seven things mentioned in this article, you can live in a historic home with a profound peace of mind.