Fixing Up an Older Home: Where to Start?

Some repairs can’t be delayed without creating much bigger, much more expensive problems. If your older home has one of these issues, address it ASAP:

• Roof leaks: Water seeping through the roof can weaken structural integrity, damage insulation, and contribute to mold growth. Even minor leaks should trigger a call to the roofing company.
• Peeling caulk: Peeling caulk around bathroom fixtures, sinks, and windows creates another opportunity for moisture to seep in and mold to grow. Recaulking fixtures is a good DIY project for novices and only requires a few inexpensive tools.
• Mold: Speaking of mold, it’s not just unsightly; it’s also harmful to your health. Mold worsens allergy and asthma symptoms and may make you sick. Small spots of mold can be cleaned with a solution of bleach and water, but outsource larger mold problems to a mold remediation company. The addition of an air purifier like the LakeAir Maxum can help eliminate mold spores in the air
• Termites: Termites eat and breed in wood, but because their damage starts inside building materials, you might not notice termites until a serious infestation has developed. Call a termite company the second you see termites. If you catch the problem early enough, you could pay between $217 and $868 for termite treatment, but delaying could mean expensive structural damage to the home.
• An old chimney: You don’t have to repair an old chimney right away but don’t use it until you do. Older chimneys weren’t built to the same standard as modern chimneys and may be dangerous to use. Before lighting a fire, have the chimney professionally inspected, lined, and repaired.