Buying an Older House: 5 Upgrades Every Homeowner Should Consider
- Written by Lilly Miller
You bought an old gem in which you saw your children run around, your significant other relaxing by the TV and your friends and family joining you for the party. Older homes come with a charming personality and a warmth that no sterile modern apartment can mimic.
However, an older house also comes with features which might need to be replaced or adapted so they don’t cause issues in the future. To help you upgrade your old beauty to your standards, here is a list of things that would probably need checking once you move in.
Take care of the installations
Many older houses haven’t had their installations changed ever since they were built so for the sake of preventing a costly venture and being energy-efficient, you better have a repairman check them. Electrical installations can be upgraded to modern ones while ungrounded sockets should be taken care of especially if you have kids or plan to have them.
As for the water, the old pipe and sewage system can cause a lot of mess if broken down and result in a flood and destroying your furniture and valuables. This is why it is wiser to replace them if the repairmen deem them deteriorated. You will feel much comfortable in your old castle knowing that your family members and you are safe.
Improve overall insulation
If the windows and doors haven’t been replaced in recent years, chances are that they are filled with cracks and they no longer keep the cold out in the winter or the hot air in the summer. No matter how good your HVAC system is, it is rendered useless if the air can go freely in and out of the house and this inefficiency is also reflected in your electricity bill.
The best thing to do is to replace your front doors with solid sturdy ones as well as your windows to achieve maximum insulation. Not only will your bill be significantly decreased but you will also feel safer with a front door that cannot be broken with just a push of the shoulder by a burglar.
Tend to the roofing
The roof is a crucial element to any house, especially in cities with a lot of rainy days, such as London or Sydney. Over time, any leakage can threaten your security by damaging the stability of the roof structure as well as your electrical installations.
Also, damp places are perfect for the appearance of mold which can cause serious allergies. This is why the question of quality roof restoration in Sydney and other rainy cities is so important and why you need to have the roof checked as soon as possible. You roof repair specialists will also provide advice on the choice of material and general roof maintenance schedule.
Check for annoying pests
Where there is weathered unprotected wood, there are bound to be some pests lurking around. Basements, attics, old door and window frames are their favorite dwelling places since they are often damp and filled with cracks they can live in.
Consulting pest control would be the smartest move because they will help you control the potential infestation, get rid of it and also provide useful advice on how to make your old charmer pest-resistant. In this manner, you will stop your house from deteriorating prematurely and give yourself peace of mind.
Refresh the home with paint
Once you are done with checking your lovely old home for potential issues, you can think in terms of upgrading it aesthetically with a coat of fresh paint. Places with chipped paint are inviting for pests and mold so regular painting isn’t just of visual importance.
So, make sure you don’t skimp on materials and get quality tools so you can do a proper job of painting your home. Also, it is important to be realistic so if you lack the time or the expertise to paint your home, it’s better to leave such activities to professional painters who will also aid you with protecting your furniture and choosing the right paint.
Conclusion
For the charming old home you purchased to last for many years, you need to take care of it on time and not only when an issue arises. Prevention is especially crucial in cases when you are aware that certain household elements haven’t been renovated in some time.
Your home should be inviting to your friends and family and not pests and for its rustic charm to shine, you need to make sure all installations, roof, and insulation are up to standards. Once you are finished with these necessities, you can refresh it with a splash of paint and throw an unforgettable house-warming party.