Many of todays modern homes lack the rustic charm of an older property, which is why many buyers are looking for seasoned homes. However, there are a few extra responsibilities to keep in mind. We’ve gathered 5 crucial tips to help homeowners to prepare, avoid and manage common problems with older homes.

1. 5 CRUCIAL TIPS
FOR OLDER
HOMES

2. TIPS FOR OLDER HOMES
• Many of todays modern homes lack the rustic charm of
an older property, which is why many buyers are looking
for seasoned homes.
• However, there are a few extra responsibilities to keep
in mind. We’ve gathered some crucial tips to help
homeowners to prepare, avoid and manage common
problems with older homes.

3. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
• Just because your home is aged does not mean it’s not
worth living in! If you have the older home of your
dreams, it is worth the extra maintenance.
• When you own a home that’s older than 50 years, you
must be prepared for things to breaking down and
becoming damaged. The most common (and useful)
items to remember are the following:
1. Plumbing
2. Heating Systems
3. Cooling Systems
4. Electrical Wiring
5. Flooring/Lumber/Roofing

4. AMENITIES IN YOUR OLD
HOME
• Keep in mind the features of your home were not built
with current amenities in mind. You can’t expect all the
bells and whistles common in today’s new homes—but
that doesn’t mean they can’t be added or incorporated.

5. AVOID PITFALLS WITH
THESE 5 SIMPLE STEPS
If you leave your old home as is, you will likely need to
call the plumber, repairman or contractor sooner than
later. Avoid common pitfalls by following these 5 simple
steps:
• Redo your roof
• Replace the plumbing
• Replace your heating and cooling systems
• Replace old electrical wiring with a more modern system
• Replace or reinforce flooring and wooden beams

6. REDO YOUR ROOF
• You don’t want to wait for a heavy rain to realize you
have a leak in the roof. Leaky roofs cause severe water
damage, which results in mold growth, rotting wood and
ruined walls/floors.
• If the winters are especially wet where you live, take
measures to reinforce the roof with new and sturdy
shingles. You can DIY or call a licensed professional to
handle the job.

7. REPLACE THE PLUMBING
• There’s no bigger headache than poor plumbing, but you
can fix this by going directly to the pipes.
• Older homes tend to use galvanized steel pipes, which
are prone to internal rusting and clogs and lead pipes.
While lead pipes are long-lasting, they pose a potential
and serious health hazard.
• If you don’t know what kind of pipes you have, get your
water tested for lead and go from there. Ask your
plumber to suggest the best supply and drain pipes for
your home.

8. REPLACE YOUR HEATING
AND COOLING SYSTEMS
• Older homes do not have the heating and cooling
systems you may be accustomed to. Older boilers are
prone to rusting and leaks.
• If you replace it with an efficient boiler it will do a better
job of heating the home and save you hundreds on your
energy bill.
• These homes also do not have central air systems. You
have a few options when replacing this, especially if
your old home is on the larger side.
• You could install a large ventilation fan or a standard
cooling system. Talk to a professional about which is
right for your home.

9. REPLACE OLD ELECTRICAL
WIRING WITH A MORE
MODERN SYSTEM
• Knob and tube wiring is not safe or practical. Have a
professional come in and replace this old system with a
modern one, which should always include an electric
panel and entirely new wiring.

10. REPLACE OR REINFORCE
FLOORING AND WOODEN
BEAMS
• Hand in hand with water damage and mold growth are
old flooring and beams in the walls.
• While it would be a huge project to redo the floors and
walls completely, you can protect the old wood by
reinforcing it to be waterproof.
• This means that even with a leak the wood will stay safe
from rot or poisonous and harmful mold.

11. HIRE A EXPERIENCED
RESTORATION CONTRACTOR
• Owning an older home is very rewarding, but it does
require extra care. However, those who enjoy the
character and charm are often happy to update it for
suitable modern living. If your home has experienced
damage and you are interested in hiring a experienced
restoration contractor, call us at 949-326-7663.
Anywhere in Orange County in ONE hour.