Home Upkeep Every 100 Years
The biggest factor in buying an old home is how well it was maintained over the years. If previous owners invested in necessary updates, it makes your job much easier and safer. Before you take the plunge, assess what’s in good shape and what needs to be replaced.
Exterior 100-Year Home Maintenance Checklist
Thoroughly review a 100-year-old home’s exterior before deciding to buy or renovate the property. Here are can’t-miss areas to look at during a home inspection so you know what potential repairs need to be made.
Priority 100-Year Exterior Home Maintenance
- Establish if there are any restrictions on repairs and renovations if the home is considered historic.
- Hire a home inspector that specializes in old houses. They bring another level of experience and look for issues that someone who routinely inspects newer homes won’t.
- Foundation issues become more prevalent with age. Old home settle over time. Look for issues in the foundation or slab — moisture, dry rot, sinking, cracks and unevenness are clues that costly repairs might need to be made.
- Check the quality of the roof and insulation. Leaks and water damage might indicate issues in the underlayment that haven’t been addressed. Also, a lack of insulation or old insulation might be contributing to moisture issues and energy inefficiency.
- Check the integrity of any existing chimney(s). Replacing a chimney and fireplace gets very expensive. Check that the stones or bricks are firmly in place and haven’t started to slope or slide over the years.
- Lead and asbestos were commonly used in exterior paint, siding and roofing in homes built before 1978. Removal of these hazardous materials requires a professional and can cost a lot of money. Check when these surfaces were last updated before you buy or check the disclosure form from the home’s previous owners before you start work. Make sure any pros you hire are certified in hazardous material disposal.
- Does this old home use a septic system or cesspool? Some states require you replace a cesspool within a certain time frame when you purchase an older home. Replacing or repairing an old septic system is another costly repair.
- Look for grading issues in the yard that could lead to improper water drainage or flooding. Remove any old, dead trees close to the house that pose a safety concern.
Optional 100-Year Exterior Home Maintenance
- If your home color, accent trim or shutters feel outdated, update the paint color to modernize an older home. If the home is considered a historic property there might be restrictions on what color you can use.
- Is your siding option still working for the house? There have been advancements in siding that last longer than wood or vinyl, like fiber cement siding.
- Rethink or add to your landscaping. Does anything need to be pruned or trimmed back significantly? Do you want to add in newer drought-tolerant plants due to a changing climate?
- Upgrade your porch. Resurface concrete steps or add on a porch if you’ve always wanted one.
- Check that your walkway is structurally sound and doesn’t need upkeep.
- Repair any rotting or rusted railings. Consider upgrading materials if you’re going to replace them. For example, adding PVC railings to replace wood prevents future rot.
- Update your exterior doors/storm doors to reflect your own design aesthetic. Even if the door doesn’t need to be replaced, a coat of paint can change the entire look of the house.
- Check that hardware, lighting and locks feel modern and match your home’s aesthetic. Incorporate smart tech like electronic locks or a doorbell camera that enhances your safety.
Interior 100-Year Home Maintenance Checklist
With a home this old, interior home maintenance goes way beyond a coat of paint. Safety should be the priority in a 100-year-old home.
Priority 100-Year Interior Home Maintenance
- Determine the home’s air quality. Inspect for mold and radon gas. Radon gas is common in older homes. Depending on the test results, it’s a good idea to install a radon mitigation system.
- Make sure outdated wiring is updated. Knob-and-tube wiring is a fire hazard and should be replaced. Look for ungrounded two-pronged outlets. They might not be able to handle the power modern devices require. Depending on how prevalent faulty wiring or outdated outlets are, running new electrical can be a costly pro-level project.
- Check for old cast-iron pipes. They break down over time and can cause damaging leaks and reduced water flow. Check that valves are also in working order and can be turned off and on.
- Check for water damage or water issues in the basement or crawlspace. A sump pump is an indicator that water could be or was an issue. Even if there’s no water damage or flooding it could mean the moisture level is high.
- Look for wood dust, it can indicate an infestation from bugs like carpenter ants or termites.
- Lead paint and asbestos are also a concern on the interior of a home. Since it was used in paint, adhesives and tiles, it’s common. These materials require proper mitigation which can be expensive.
- Slanted flooring, cracks in walls/ceilings and windows that are hard to open all may indicate an issue with the foundation. So don’t ignore these interior red flags.
- Consider replacing windows. If the windows are outdated, you might lose a significant amount of energy.
- If you want to replace popcorn-style ceilings, know that it might contain asbestos depending on when it was applied.
- If the ceiling in the basement is exposed, check for water damage from the first floor that could be caused by a leaking toilet or major appliance like a dishwasher.
- Check HVAC functionality, energy efficiency, ductwork and overall safety.
Optional 100-Year Interior Home Maintenance
- Consider repainting. Every ten years paint can start to look dull and outdated.
- Replace damaged or chipped molding.
- Preserve unique features if possible. Molding, millwork and stained-glass windows all need maintenance but if you can save them, they add so much character to the house.
- When was the last time the kitchen was updated? Look at kitchen surfaces like the countertops, flooring and backsplash. Cabinets last for a long time but think about replacing the fronts for a lower-lift update.
- When was the last time the bathrooms were updated? If it has been ten or more years, it’s time for a renovation.
- Replace outdated overhead lighting, hardware and ceiling fans. If you’re struggling to find a style, look to the year the home was built and choose options that nod to that style.
- Check how rugs and carpeting are holding up, look for excessive stains or wear to decide if it’s time to replace them.