When renovation work is underway, anticipate some surprises. Typically, when a homeowner considers renovating, they focus on the visible elements, all the elements of a house we can see and use every day.
But there are hidden elements that we take for granted; essential elements that are hidden behind walls, ceilings and beneath the floors that we don’t think about much. Older homes especially need to have items fixed or replaced.
When taking on a renovation or altering a home, that is when one often discovers the true state of your structure.
For example:
- Wiring – Older homes may have electrical wiring and fittings that are unsafe, or not “in code”. Homes built before 1960 may have out of code wiring.
- Plumbing – Older water pipes can be so bad that they require replacement. A good clue is that water pressure is low or fixtures drain slowly.
- Carpentry – Rotting mudsills and framing often make floors out of level.
- Corrosion can be found under the bottom surfaces of galvanized steel roofing.
- Asbestos, is an environmental safety risk, and can found in in older roofing, ceilings, in cement and floor coverings.
- Brick chimneys can become unstable with age.
- A lack of, or no insulation in the walls or ceilings.
- Floor and framing too close to the ground.
- Foundation settlement over time.
- Insufficient lateral support (bracing) in the sub-floor structure.
One or all of these will require work that must be done before any renovation can begin and will affect your budget and schedule. Be sure you have your home inspected before beginning any alterations.
