Purchasing a home can be an exciting time in your life. But all the enthusiasm can quickly cause you to lose focus on the details. Thinking ahead to what kinds of common problems and maintenance costs a home can cause you will allow you to avoid homeowner nightmares such as foundation issues or poor air quality—problems you’ll frequently see in houses built more than thirty years ago. For that reason, homebuyers should know these common dangers in older homes.
Hazardous Materials
Building materials that once thrived in home construction are now considered dangerous and life threatening. If you’re not sure what these items are, we have insight on two of the most minacious materials that should be on your radar.
Lead
Potential homebuyers should be aware that lead may be found in multiple areas throughout homes built more than 30 years ago, including in the paint and plumbing systems. Lead can cause many health problems and even be fatal. Here are common areas where lead is found in older homes.
Asbestos
As early as the 1990s, asbestos was a thriving material for insulation and other homebuilding purposes. When exposed to items that contain asbestos, you face the risk of developing life-threatening conditions such as mesothelioma. Here’s a list of where asbestos could be lurking throughout an older home:
- Vermiculite insulation: Here’s why you shouldn’t try to remove it yourself.
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Popcorn ceilings
- Pipe insulation
Old Piping
Throughout the early half of the 20th century, homes were built with clay piping. Back then, this was an affordable and smart solution. However, clay piping is now known to cause sewer blockages and to slow down draining. This can be a heavy cost to replace.
Old Electrical Issues
If your future home contains non-grounded outlets, known as two-prong outlets, you’re in for a hefty cost of replacement. They may not seem like a big deal, but these kinds of outlets pose a higher risk of human injury from electrocution, house fires, and fried appliances.
Termite Issues
Natural and aged hardwood flooring may complement your Victorian style-home, but this kind of flooring and many other wooden features are prone to termite damage. To identify termite damage, look for sagging floors, peeling paint, and hollow-sounding wood supports or floor beds.
Historic homes and older builds may appeal to you for their elegant and retro feel, but these four common dangers in older homes should encourage you to think twice before you make an offer.