The charm of an old house draws visitors and locals alike. However, considering that old houses had been tested through time, renovation, thorough maintenance, and repairs are necessary.
Renovating an old house can be complex, with unexpected expenses and issues. In a nutshell, financial and emotional preparation are keys to successful home restoration.
If you are planning to revamp your piece of history, here are five things to consider when renovating an old house:
- Inspect the electrical system
Televisions, computers, blenders, and even refrigerators- none existed in many historic homes; that is why it is essential to upgrade the electrical systems. If your home is 50 or 60 years or older, old wirings may fail to support modern appliances and fixtures, which may significantly increase the chances of fires.
An electrical inventory is essential to ensure that the system can support your list of new devices. Planning will give you a guide on where to place or install your fixtures.
2. Identify plumbing issues
The plumbing system inside your house may be as old as the house itself. Original copper, cast iron, and galvanized steel only last for 80 to 100 years. On the other hand, new homeowners also encounter plumbing issues, leading to unanticipated costs.
Although it’s relatively easy to identify broken furnaces and screen doors, it’s not always the case with defective pipes. It’s best to find the nearest handyman to check your bathroom and kitchen if there are problems with your plumbing.
3. Keep an eye for wood rot
Let your trusted handyman inspect the interior and exterior of your old house to look for distressed areas. These include wood rot in window frames, staircase handrails, siding, and furniture.
Although it will put a lot of money on the table to replace or repair some home installations and fixtures of the house, maintenance is essential to avoid accidents.
Instead of window replacement, you can head on to the nearest handyman service and inquire about how you can preserve and repair those exquisite windows to maintain their rich history.
4.Test for Lead Paint
Being exposed to lead can cause health dilemmas such as behavioral problems and learning disabilities in children. High exposure to lead may cause poisoning, impaired brain, and anemia.
If your house was built before 1978, it could be painted with lead paint. For your safety, let the skilled and experienced painters do encapsulation, a highly effective lead paint remediation.
5. Create balance with modern decors
Integrating classic and new pieces is a trick that many interior designers use to achieve a modern vintage look. You can style your old windows with an off-white drop-down curtain or pair a selection of restored older furniture with a contemporary sofa with a bolder color.
To balance your modern-retro aesthetic, mix and match frayed and tattered covers, chippy paint, and rusted edges with modern appliances.
Every design element needs to mesh well with other fixtures. Decorate wisely and have fun with your home project.
Conclusion:
Renovating an old house is no easy feat. However, with careful planning and dedication, you can surely push things through. Note that in every complex and time-consuming project like home renovation, make sure to contact reliable and trusted local handyman services near you.
An old house is a reflection of years of life and love within its walls, so make sure you appreciate your role, not just as a historic homeowner but a steward of space, celebrating its past, present, and future.
