subject: Improving Your Older Home's Value [print this page] Owning an older home has a lot of benefits, but a lot of the time it can also be a great deal of work.
Older household systems and materials tend to need a little more T.L.C. and some of the building practices of decades ago did leave something to be desired in terms of how to relate to modern practices.
There are certain home remodeling and renovation projects that will not only make it a little easier to live in your older home on a daily basis but also add to its value should you ever decide to move. Here are just a few of them.
Fix Older Heating Systems
Many older homes have heating systems that are woefully outdated and unfortunately very energy inefficient. Replacing your oil heating system with a new one will pay for itself in just a few years in many cases in the form of reduced energy costs.
If you have old cast iron radiators and love the look you do not have to lose them when you upgrade your heating system. Ask a good HVAC professional about one of the several ways that it is possible to utilize these old beauties with a new, modern heating system.
Renovate the Plumbing
The plumbing system in an older home can also cause problems for homeowners. Lead pipes were routinely used in home plumbing in the years prior to World War II and many homes built since then have galvanized steel piping.
Not only do these older materials cause a lot of problems but many older plumbing systems pipes are undersized as well. Corrosions build up is a common occurrence, causing backups, water leaks and even flooding.
Talk to a reputable plumber about replacing these old pipes with a newer material such as copper or PVC. Admittedly, replacing a whole plumbing system can be a messy and disruptive business but it is well worth it in the long run. The results should be better water flow throughout the house, savings on your water bill and the lessening of the risk that your home could be damaged by unexpected flooding.
Update Your Wiring
Of all the outdated systems in the average home the one that can be outright dangerous is the electrical wiring system. Faults in these systems can lead to fires and severe electric shocks or worse.
Many older homes electrical systems are ungrounded and often the wires themselves have deteriorated significantly. Home insurance companies often refuse to insure certain older properties until the wiring has been updated because of the significant risks outdated wiring presents.
Most remodeling experts recommend that, when you are renovating an older home, the electrical wiring all over the house should be replaced with a modern, grounded electrical system. This includes replacing the old fuse box with a modern breaker panel and adding ground fault interrupter (GFI) outlets in kitchens, bathrooms and any outdoor outlets.
Preserving Your Old Windows
The windows are a huge part of what makes many older homes look beautiful so most people dont want to rip them out and replace them. Fortunately there are window replacement specialists all over the country whose forte is to preserve old windows and their appearance while adding new glass and other touches that will bring them up to modern day efficiency standards.
