How to Care for Older Homes - 5 Basic Tips

Older homes need special attention. Watch for five tips on how to keep your older home safe and going strong.

1. If your home has an old boiler system, replace with a modern, efficient boiler or furnace for energy savings.

2. If central air isn’t an option, consider installing a large ventilation fan or whole-house fan in the attic. The fan can bring in a breeze through the open windows in the house.

3. If your home has knob and tube electrical wiring, replace it with a safer, modern system with a new electric panel and house wiring.

4. Inspect the roof every six months. Replace or repair worn or cracked shingles immediately. If the roof is more than 20 years old and most shingles are worn or damaged, it’s time to replace it.

5. Steel plumbing pipes can clog from internal rusting. Replace them before they burst or reduce your water pressure.

Some more tips added by commentors below!

Hella Rothwell - "Paint it often!"

Joy Daniels - "And if you are selling - consider a PRE-INSPECTION. . . benfitting both the seller and the buyer."

Ann Nguyen - "They should be on a maintenance schedule so big problems do not suddenly crop up."

Eileen Hsu - "my biggest advice is to stay on top of the house fixing small things so they don't become a big problem and expense down the road when everything suddenly breaks or stops working."

Karen Crowson - "In California, it's wise to keep up on wood rot repairs to stave off termites too."

Jan Green - "Might also be wise to get an Energy Audit to access the age and condition of all mechanical systems, insulation, blower door test, etc. There are easy fixed that can be started first to seal the home. Good air ventilation is also important as you seal up a home. Inside air can become more toxic than outside air!"

Ann Wilkins - "Make sure that gutters and downspouts are in good working order - clean on an annual basis. Make sure water from downspouts is being directed away from foundation. It is amazing what water can do to a house."