Your New Home Was Built In The 50s: Here Are The Jobs You'll Need To Do
When you buy a new home, the next month or two are going to be quite busy! It’s not just the redecorating and unpacking that’ll take up all your time either. In fact, you could be in for a bit of a DIY nightmare ahead too!
Every property is going to need a fix here and there. You don’t have to buy an old, fixer-upper type home to need to get a repair done - you just have to live in a structure that weathers the storm!
But when you buy a home that’s 70+ years old, you could be in for a shock when it comes to moving-in checklist.
Because a home that was built in the 1950s is likely to have quite a few issues laying around, hidden in the foundation, under the skirting boards, and in the attic. You’re even going to need to be careful with any renovation work you want to get done, just in case there are potentially harmful substances underneath the plaster somewhere!
So it’s best to run through some health and safety tasks first. We’ve compiled the most important of these into the list below, so you can get on with them ASAP. Get them seen to and out of the way and you can enjoy your 50s home in any way you see fit!
Asbestos Removal
Before we cause you any worry, we just want to say that there’s no guarantee asbestos is in your new home! However, if it was built in the 50s (or thereabouts), there is a chance asbestos was used in the insulating material.
Now this isn’t immediately a safety issue, especially if the house is otherwise in good condition. When asbestos has been built into the property and is sealed away, and there’s no chance for it to kick up into the air, it can’t cause any damage.
However, if you want to dig into the walls, strip off old panelling and tiles, and cover the dust sheets in as much mess as possible, you’ll need an inspection first.
Asbestos inspections can find out if asbestos is actually in your home, where it can be found, and what form it’s in. If anything comes back positive, you can get a professional to safely remove it and leave you to get on with your DIY work.
Check the Pipes
50s plumbing can leave a lot to be desired! Pipes tend to be smaller, firstly, and the decades since they were first installed could have left them rusted, water logged, and bent out of shape. If the pipes are damaged in these ways, it’s best to just get them replaced.
On top of this, there’s also a chance the pipes are made from toxic materials, such as lead. You don’t want accessible lead quantities around the house in the first place, especially if you have pets or small children. But above all, you certainly don’t want your kitchen sink to be plumbed in by lead pipes!
The best way to check for lead in your home pipes is to get your water tested. Lead always leaves a trace behind, and water testing kits can quickly indicate if lead runoff is present.
Get the Roof Repaired or Replaced
The house isn’t old enough for the roof to have been replaced already, but it is at a stage where the original roof’s lifespan is rapidly coming to an end. Most roofing materials only last about 50 years max, with some of the more modern options lasting twice that.
But seeing as we’re not dealing with a modern roof here, you're going to need to survey for damage! Conduct a visual inspection of the roof to look for obvious signs of damage and decay, both inside and outside.
Get into the attic with a flashlight and take some photos, and then make sure you’ve got a ladder that’s safe to use on roofs and do the same for the exterior tiles.
You can then get in touch with an expert residential roof repair service to check over the evidence, and even come out to see and test the roof more thoroughly. If you’re not in need of a repair or replacement just yet, great! If you are, you’ll be happy you got the job done now!
Fit Some Outlets
Older homes aren’t as technologically focused as modern homes! If a property was built in the 50s, there aren’t going to be many places to plug things in or get your wifi hooked up properly!
As such, you may want to delve into the wiring system that powers your house, and see where you can get more outlets fitted.
You want two in each room, at the very least, in accessible areas that make sense for that room’s function. For example, the bedroom should have outlets as near to the bed as possible, that can easily remain accessible using extension cords and towers if you ever move or re-orientate your bed.
But working with electricity is quite dangerous, and even when turning the power off, you could still run into trouble with earthing and power surges. So call an electrician out for this job, and get their expert opinion on where your new set of outlets can go.
50s Homes Can Take a Lot of Work!
Some would say they’re more trouble than they’re worth! But older homes can be quite cutesy, self-contained, and tend to have a lot more character than most new builds.
All of these elements can make a property built in the 50s a lot more attractive when it hits the market. And when you put your down payment on it, you need to be ready for the housework fight of your life!
Check the integral systems like the plumbing and wiring, and ask for an asbestos inspection ASAP. You want to get on top of potentially carcinogenic materials filtering into the air, and you’ll have a much healthier and safer home when you’re done.
Basement waterproofing
If you have a basement, chances are it was not waterproofed when it was built, or if it was, it may not have been done in the best or most long-lasting way. This could be a problem because basements tend to get moist and they are often prone to flooding, so calling in a good basement waterproofing company to make sure it is protected against the elements is sensible.