Tricks to Help You Care for the Roof on an Older House

Owning an older home can be a charming experience, but it also comes with some maintenance challenges—such as caring for an aging roof. 

No matter how well-maintained roofs may be, they will eventually need repairs or replacements as they age. 

Don’t let your roof deteriorate faster than it needs to—use these tricks to extend the life of your aging roof.

Clean Your Gutters

Regularly It is essential to keep your gutters clean and clear of debris. When gutters are clogged, water can’t flow, which can cause water to overflow onto your roof. 

This type of water damage can result in rot and damage to your fascia boards. This will eventually lead to more significant problems. So make a habit of cleaning the gutters regularly.

Inspect Your Roof Annually

If you have an older roof, make sure to schedule an annual inspection with a professional roofer. Regular maintenance is key to spotting potential problems early on. 

You can maintain the lifespan of the roofing materials by cleaning it, inspecting it, and making any needed fixes.

Trim Overhanging Trees

If there are trees on your property, make sure to keep them properly trimmed. Overhanging tree limbs can scrape against the roof shingles, causing serious damage. 

Branches can also drop leaves and sticks on your roof, which can clog the gutters and cause water damage.

Fix Leaks Immediately

When it comes to roof problems, prevention is key. Water damage can lead to all sorts of structural problems, so it's important to address any leaks immediately. 

If you notice water stains in your ceiling or walls, it's time to call a professional roofing contractor to make repairs and prevent future damage.

Choose the Right Roofing Material

When it comes to roofing materials, you have a lot of choices, so it's important to choose the right type for your home. If your home is older, it's likely the roof has already been replaced at least once. 

When it's time to replace it again, get advice on which type of roofing material will work best for your home and find a good contractor for residential roofing services.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining an older home can be challenging, but caring for an aging roof is critical to keeping it safe and functional. 

By cleaning your gutters regularly, inspecting your roof annually, trimming overhanging trees, fixing leaks immediately, and choosing the right roofing material, you can make sure your roof lasts as long as possible. 

Consult with a professional roofing contractor for advice on the best ways to extend the life of your roof.

4 Benefits of Installing Central Air Conditioning in an Older Home

You’ve purchased an old home, and it’s heading into summer. That means heat outside. If your home has no central air, it can also mean hot and stuffy air inside. Air conditioning was not a priority before the past few decades, and the heat may have you considering central air if you lack it. Here are four benefits of installing a central air unit in your older home.

Cooler Indoor Temperatures

Overall, it’s possible to keep a house cooler with a central air unit than it is with a few window units. Central air conditioning comes with ducts that fairly evenly distribute the refreshing cool air throughout the house. 

By keeping older window units, only the rooms that house the units will remain cool. The rest of the house could be quite warm when temperatures hit the 90 or 100 degree mark.

More Efficiency

While you may have to refer to a professional for AC system repair periodically, you will not likely have to use as much energy to keep a home cool. The reason for this is the higher efficiency that’s tied to newer models when compared with those built even 10 or 20 years ago. Better efficiency ratings mean lower costs because less energy overall will be used in the process of cooling your home.

Tax Benefits

Even though the federal rebates for energy efficiency ended recently, some states provide tax credits for the purchase of a new HVAC system that’s energy efficient. This means that the overall cost of putting in a system could be much less than the sticker price any prospective installers might quote. 

These tax credits and rebates can go a long way toward making the purchase of a new AC system affordable. Of course, it would be a good idea to check into any sate or local incentives before making the purchase.

Increased Value

Most people want air conditioning. In many parts of the country, it’s a necessity. Those who are looking for a home might not pay enough to take care of the entire cost of a new system, but people are less likely to buy a home that lacks one. Prospective buyers will pay a slight premium for AC, and this premium will probably be higher in areas in which most homes lack it.

There are many benefits that come with installing central air in an older home. Newer units are more efficient so the overall cost will be lower. You’ll also be able to enjoy more comfort when relaxing at home.

5 Steps to Take to Guarantee Your 100 Year Old Home is Insurable

Even though many older houses have quite a bit of charm, some of those residences can be very difficult to insure. If an insurance company thinks that a home is going to be a risk, then they probably won’t offer any form of coverage. In order to get homeowners insurance, you might need to improve the safety and security of your older home.

Update the Roof

Every insurance company is slightly different, but most of those providers will only insure a roof if it is under a certain age or completely undamaged. At the very least, you must fix any shingles that are curled, bent, or cracked. Replacing a few shingles is a relatively inexpensive project that most roofing contractors can complete in a single day.

Replace the Wires

Unfortunately, many older homes were built with aluminum wires, and those wires are a major fire hazard. To get homeowners insurance, you will most likely need to replace all of the wires and outlets if any aluminum was used. 




This can be an expensive and time-consuming project, and you should only replace the wires if you truly love the home.

Look for Galvanized Pipes

Over the years, different homeowners might have replaced various pipes, and some of those pipes could be made from galvanized steel. That particular type of steel is prone to corrosion, and a single leak could result in tens of thousands of dollars in water damage. All of the galvanized pipes in the home must be replaced with PVC, PEX, or copper pipes.

Level the Yard

As a general rule, the yards around a home should always slope away from the foundation to prevent flooding. You might also need to build one or more retaining walls with high-quality steel products. Those walls are going to prevent the earth from sliding toward your home after a heavy rainstorm.

Check for Asbestos

Asbestos-related health problems usually aren’t covered by home insurance, but your provider might be wary of insuring the home if any dangerous building materials were used. The easiest way to check for asbestos is to use an inexpensive test kit from a local home improvement store. Those kits are very easy to set up, and you should get results in a matter of days.

Before you carry out any upgrades, you must have every inch of your home looked over by a certified inspector. One of those professionals can give you a comprehensive list of potential issues that need to be addressed.

Older Home? 3 Tricky Health Risks to Check For

If you live in an older home, there are a variety of health risks that you may not think to look for. Building and housing regulations weren’t as strict in the past as they are today, so older homes can present unexpected dangers. 

Because of this, knowing what hazards to look for is key to keeping your family safe. Here are three health risks to watch for if you live in an older house.

Lead Paint

Lead paint was famously banned from residential use in the U.S. in 1978, but many old houses still contain lead paint. The older your home is, the greater the danger. 

Research suggests that homes built before 1978, 62% contain lead paint, while the percentage increases to 80% for pre-1960 homes and 90% for homes built before 1940.

Old Wiring

Old wiring isn’t always a potential danger, but when it is, it’s usually because of ‘knob and tube’ wiring. Knob and tube was one of the first standardized wiring designs, and the problem with it is that over time, the insulation can wear down and expose bare wires, causing electrocution hazards and fire hazards. 

If your home is old enough that it still has knob and tube wiring, you should have it updated by an electrician as soon as possible, even if it’s still functioning. If the electrician finds no serious danger, it’s still a good idea to upgrade to newer, safer wiring.

Asbestos

Asbestos is relatively common in old homes, and if inhaled, asbestos particles can cause respiratory problems, including mesothelioma, a deadly variety of lung cancer. If you have stable, undamaged asbestos in your home, it’s not an inherent risk and is best left alone. 

However, crumbling or worn-out asbestos is a very serious health hazard that must be dealt with immediately. If there is dangerous asbestos in your home, contact professional contractors that offer asbestos removal services, such as Mendelssohn Construction.

If you’re living in an older home, it’s important to be aware of the variety of potential health risks. Old or faulty wiring, asbestos, and lead paint are just three common hazards in old homes. 

By checking for hazards and hiring professionals to fix issues when they arise, you can ensure that your family remains happy and healthy in your home. Remember, when in doubt, it’s always best to have your house inspected.