Home Upkeep Every 50 Years
One of the most important things to think about when it comes to home upkeep and maintenance in a 50-year-old home is safety. The suggestions below focus on key updates and repairs typically needed in an older home.
Exterior 50-Year Home Maintenance Checklist
A thorough review of a home’s exterior is essential before deciding to purchase a 50-year-old home. These are potential issues to look for during a home inspection so you know about problems, updates and modifications made to the property.
Priority 50-Year Exterior Home Maintenance
- Establish if there are any restrictions on repairs and renovations if the home is considered historic.
- Foundation issues become more prevalent with age. Bring a pro to look for issues in the foundation slab—things like moisture, dry rot and unevenness are clues that repairs might need to be made.
- 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, 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 uses 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 in the disclosure form from the home’s previous owners before you start work. Make sure the pros you hire are certified in hazardous material disposal too.
- 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 50-Year Exterior Home Maintenance
- If your home color, accent trim or shutters feel passe, updating your paint color to modernize an older home.
- 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?
- Consider resurfacing or refinishing your driveway if it has cracks or discoloration.
- Repair any rotting or rusted railings. Consider upgrading materials if you’re going to replace them. For example, PVC railings instead of wood to prevent future rot.
- Replace the mailbox—they fade over time especially if they’re in direct sunlight.
- Check that hardware, lighting and locks feel modern and match your home’s aesthetic. Incorporate smart tech like locks or a doorbell camera that enhances your safety experience.
Interior 50-Year Home Maintenance Checklist
With a home this old, interior home maintenance goes way beyond a coat of paint. Again, safety is the priority in a 50-year-old home.
Priority 50-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 outdating 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.
- Look for water damage or water issues in the basement. 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.
- If you find wood dust, it can indicate a bug (like carpenter ants or termites) infestation.
- Lead paint and asbestos are also a concern on the interior of your 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 be losing a significant amount of energy.
- If you want to replace popcorn-style ceilings, know that they might contain asbestos depending on when they were installed.
- 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.
- Checking HVAC functionality, energy efficiency and overall safety.
Optional 50-Year Interior Home Maintenance
- Consider repainting. Every ten-years paint can start to look dull and outdated.
- Replace damaged or chipped molding.
- When was the last time your kitchen was updated? Look at your kitchen’s 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 your bathrooms were updated? If it has been ten or more years, it’s time for a renovation.
- Replace outdated overhead lighting and ceiling fans.
- Check how rugs and carpeting are holding up, look for excessive stains or wear to decide if it’s time to replace them.