One of the UK’s leading property care experts has identified the five most frequent and often costly problems people encounter when buying an older home.
George Edwards, Managing Director of Timberwise, stressed that neglecting repairs in older houses could result in substantial financial consequences.
He said: “Owning a home can be a handful. There’s a lot to think about and sometimes the DIY projects can stack up and you might be lost on where and when to start.
“To help you understand what problems might need to take priority, it can help to put together a list of common issues in older homes that can lead to property care issues like damp, woodworm, timber rot and more if they are ignored.”
According to Mr Edwards, the key areas to consider are:
Old Plumbing – making sure that plumbing is up to scratch is vital, and whilst you can pay for specialist surveys when purchasing a home, you should always be aware that the chances that the pipes will need attention only goes up within older properties.
Many cases of both dry and wet rot start out because a pipe, either within the cavity of a wall or under floorboards, has burst or sprung a small leak at a seam.
Deteriorating Roof – the roof of an older property may have fallen into effective disrepair over the years and will often need minor or major repairs works.
A yearly inspection can be a massive saver when it comes to repair costs, and the best time to start a healthy routine of keeping it in good condition and avoiding problems like wet rot is right now.
Single Pane Windows – they are, on their own, not an actual problem in a property. In fact, there are many people who might consider certain types of windows as selling factors when they are looking for a new place to live.
Once cold weather rolls in, however, you are going to find that thermal retention is lacking and, when the heating is switched on, you may find you have an issue with condensation.
Weathered Timber Exterior – any older property that has exterior-facing timber is going to be at severe risk of weathering and vulnerable to all kinds of issues, including wet rot, dry rot, and woodworm. An inspection would be advisable, to determine if you have any issues or the likelihood of developing them in the future.
Damaged Bathroom Floorboards – the bathroom is quite prone to the long-term effects of condensation, dry rot, and wet rot. The tiles, laminate, or whatever is on the floor, could well be hiding an infestation of dry or wet rot.
Making sure that the bathroom is in a good condition should be a priority for you, and could well form part of a plumbing check once every two years.
