{"id":1039,"date":"2020-04-07T00:00:55","date_gmt":"2020-04-07T00:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eagleinspectionpa.com\/?p=1039"},"modified":"2021-02-12T07:00:53","modified_gmt":"2021-02-12T07:00:53","slug":"why-home-inspections-are-important-for-older-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eagleinspectionpa.com\/why-home-inspections-are-important-for-older-homes\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Home Inspections Are Important for Older Homes"},"content":{"rendered":"
In a world that seems to be obsessed with all things shiny and new, there\u2019s a lot to be said for buying an older home. Homes built in the early 1900s have a character and charm that simply can\u2019t be matched by the ones that have been built in the last 50 years or so. But all that charm does come with its drawbacks. If you\u2019re considering buying an older home, it\u2019s extremely important that you don\u2019t skip out on a home inspection from a professional home inspector in Philadelphia.<\/a> Keep reading to learn just a few of the reasons that this inspection is so important for older homes.<\/p>\n Safety codes for residential buildings have changed a lot in the last half a century. The last thing you want as a home buyer is to purchase a home that is not even up to code. It\u2019s important to ensure that all of the home\u2019s features\u2014both inside and out\u2014are up to safety standards so you don\u2019t end up buying a home that is deemed unsafe to live in.<\/p>\n One of the first places a home inspector will look when inspecting an old home is the basement. Oftentimes, the basements of old homes have been remodeled into a rec room or home theater. This makes the space look<\/em> nice, but it doesn\u2019t mean that the structure itself is sound.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to remember that, in older homes, the basement was never meant as a living space; it was designed as storage for dry goods or possibly household items. If it\u2019s been remodeled as a living space, an inspector needs to ensure that the basement is set up with proper drainage and that there are no signs of rot or mold hiding behind the remodeled paneling.<\/p>\n Roofs have a limited lifespan of roughly 20 to 50 years, depending on the material and the care it\u2019s received. If the home you\u2019re buying is older than that, you\u2019ll want to ensure that the roof is in good shape. This goes far beyond glancing up at the roof to see if shingles are missing. An old roof can look nice if it\u2019s been reshingled, but those fresh shingles could be hiding rusted flashing, a deteriorating chimney, or rotted fascia boards. Even the roof structure itself may be compromised, but a trained eye will notice any sagging rooflines no matter how many times it\u2019s been reshingled.<\/p>\n In relation to the roof, an inspector will also check for proper insulation and ventilation in the attic. Many owners of old homes will dump wood shavings or shredded paper in the attic to improve insulation. This is a major issue, as these materials are combustible. An inspector will get up in those spaces and check for safe, proper insulation.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also want to know if the wiring of any old home has been updated recently. Half a century ago, many homes used knob-and-tube wiring; this is an extremely outdated wiring system that you\u2019ll want to have updated right away, should you decide to still purchase the property. If you\u2019re not up for doing that level of overhaul on a newly purchased home, an inspector can tell you so that you can move on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Last but certainly not least is the plumbing. Older homes often used cast iron drains, galvanized water lines, and clay tiles; all of these parts present potential major issues to your plumbing. In fact, the plumbing is often the biggest issue in old homes because of the corrosion and breakdown of these parts. A proper inspection will let you know what the plumbing looks like so you can correct and update any problems to avoid major breakdowns and damage later.<\/p>\nBuilding Codes Change<\/h2>\n
Basement Troubles<\/h2>\n
Roof Issues<\/h2>\n
Old Wiring<\/h2>\n
Plumbing<\/h2>\n