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Writer's picturePeter Grenier Massachusetts

Why do problems always seem to happen in older homes?


Old houses have several problems. For example, most of them were built wrong, which caused mold to grow in the basement. Also, look for foundation problems in the walls, floors, and windows that stick. These things will affect how much the home is worth as a whole. You will also need to buy a new boiler or foundation to fix them. Most of the time, though, these are minor problems that can be fixed without worsening the house. Termites can damage a house's wooden parts, like the drywall and the supports that hold it up. Older homes often have termite damage that was done in the past or is still happening. This problem is widespread in the southern United States. Termite damage can be seen in sagging floors, holes in the walls, and peeling or bubbling paint. If you see any of these signs, you should get your home checked for termites.


The only way to get rid of termites until recently was to inject chemicals into the ground. Doing this made a barrier that kept termites from getting into a house. This method, known as "chlordane," was thought to protect for 30 to 40 years. But the time that modern products protect you from harm is shorter. So before you buy an older home, you should pay to have it treated for termites. Older homes can be fun to fix, but they may have dangerous items from different times. Know how to tell if you have a problem with asbestos and ensure you are safe before making any changes to reduce your exposure. Before doing any work on your home, talk to a licensed asbestos inspection professional if you think it might have asbestos. Asbestos is often found in insulation, vinyl floors, joint compounds, electrical wire, roof shingles, and ceiling tiles.


Insects that eat wood are more likely to attack older homes, which can cause significant structural damage. Because they contain a lot of water, these bugs can be a problem in old homes. This could be caused by several things, like plumbing leaks or structural building problems. This bug likes to live in older homes, but it can get into any building. Take the following steps to keep insects from eating away at the wood: The first step is to find out what kinds of pests are doing the damage. Even though beetles are the most common insects that damage wood, other types may also be to blame. The best and most accurate way to determine which pest is causing the problem is to look at a live bug. Check how big and shape the holes lead in and out. Note the types of wood that the beetles like to eat.


Older homes usually have boilers that aren't good enough, which causes other problems. A broken boiler pump causes most problems. If the pump on the boiler doesn't work correctly, there won't be enough pressure to heat the house. Also, broken or rusty parts could cause the boiler to stop working. Over time, thermocouples and motorized valves can also break down. How much energy it takes to heat a home is based on size. The home's level of insulation and the materials it was built with are things to think about. BTUs are used to figure out how big a boiler needs to be per hour (BTUs). The amount of energy in a boiler's horsepower is 33,475 British thermal units per hour. One degree Fahrenheit is equal to one British thermal unit.

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