As homes age, they're going to require an increasing amount of maintenance and repair. Once your house reaches its 50th birthday, there are several things you should be on the lookout for. Here are four problems that can arise when your home is more than 50 years old.
Plumbing Failures
Assuming the plumbing hasn't been replaced at some point during the house's lifetime, there's a very high chance of pipe failures in a home that's 50 or more years old. Old pipes are more likely to crack or leak, and plumbing fixtures that are half a century old tend to be at the end of their lives. Having your plumbing replaced is a great way to update the home and protect it against potentially catastrophic water damage in the future.
Foundation Problems
As a home's foundation settles, it's fairly normal for some small cracks to form in the basement walls. Over time, though, you can begin to see larger cracks forming and walls beginning to bow inward. Foundation problems should be fixed as quickly as possible, since they will only become more expensive if left untreated. If you address foundation problems early on, you may even be able to get away with having carbon fiber straps installed on your basement walls to ease them back into place.
Electrical Problems
Like plumbing, old wiring can present its share of problems in older homes. From lights ceasing to work properly to outlets dying, aging electrical systems can be extremely inconvenient. In extreme conditions, they can also be potential fire hazards. If your home is currently running on wiring that's decades old, consider looking into local electrical services to have it rewired.
Floor Joists Bowing or Giving Out
If your home has sustained water damage or has major foundation issues, you may also have some floor joists that need to be replaced. Though it may seem complicated, replacing floor joists is fairly routine when you're renovating an older home. You'll need a professional contractor to do the work, but the costs usually aren't too unreasonable. Fixing joists can prevent sagging floors in the future and fix current problems of uneven flooring.
Old homes have charm and character, but they require more upkeep than newer ones. By keeping an eye open for these four problems and fixing them quickly, you can continue to enjoy your older home for many years to come.
