Older homes

Old House Repairs: What to Know First

Older and mill-village homes have charm and quirks. Here is what to watch for, including lead paint, before you start repairs.

Hogansville, LaGrange and West Point have plenty of older homes, including historic mill-village houses with wood floors, tall ceilings and original trim. These homes are built from real lumber and have a lot of character. They also have their own set of quirks. Knowing what you're dealing with before you start old house repairs makes the work safer and helps the house keep its charm.

Lead paint: the first thing to know

If your home was built before 1978, it may have lead-based paint somewhere, even under newer layers. Lead paint that's intact and in good shape isn't the main danger. The risk comes when it's disturbed, during sanding, scraping, cutting or demolition, and turns into dust and chips. Lead dust is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women.

Before any project that disturbs painted surfaces:

• Find out if lead is present. Use an EPA-recognized test kit, or hire a certified lead inspector or risk assessor.
• Don't dry-sand, power-sand or use a heat gun on old paint.
• Contain the work area with plastic sheeting and keep kids and pets out.
• Clean up with a HEPA vacuum and wet wiping, not sweeping.
• Ask anyone you hire how they handle lead-safe work practices. The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule covers paid work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 homes.

The EPA's lead website has free guides for homeowners. When in doubt, test first.

Asbestos

Some older building materials can contain asbestos, such as certain old floor tiles, popcorn ceilings, pipe insulation and siding. Left alone and in good shape, it's generally less of a concern. Don't sand, cut or tear it out. Have suspect materials tested by a qualified lab before disturbing them.

Common older-home issues

Plaster walls

Many older homes have plaster over wood lath instead of drywall. Plaster is hard and durable, but it cracks as the house moves. Small cracks and holes can usually be patched. Large loose areas may need to be reattached or replaced in sections. Patching plaster with drywall compound works for small spots, but bigger repairs take a different approach.

Settling floors and soft spots

Old houses settle, and a little slope is normal. But floors that feel soft, bouncy or keep getting worse can point to moisture under the house, rotted subflooring or failing support. Our soft spots in the floor guide explains what to look for. Sagging beams or foundation issues call for a foundation or structural pro.

Sticking doors and windows

Old doors and windows stick for many reasons: settling, swelling in humid weather, or layers of paint. Most can be adjusted, planed or freed up. If you're scraping or planing painted edges, keep the lead advice above in mind.

Wood porches and trim

Original wood porches and trim have seen decades of weather. Peeling paint and caulk gaps let water in. Our guide to preventing porch wood rot covers what to check.

Old wiring

Older homes may still have knob-and-tube wiring, two-prong outlets without ground, or too few circuits for modern use. Flickering lights, warm outlet covers, frequent breaker trips or a burning smell need attention. That's work for a licensed electrician, not a handyman.

Old plumbing

Galvanized steel pipes can rust inside, causing low water pressure and leaks. Cast iron drains can crack. Fixture-level fixes, like a faucet or toilet, are fine for a handyman. Pipe replacement is a job for a licensed plumber.

Keep the character

Older homes often have details worth saving: solid wood doors, tall baseboards, original trim and hardwood floors. Before tearing something out, ask whether it can be repaired. Matching old trim profiles or patching a section of floor often looks better than replacing everything.

Plan repairs in the right order

1. Safety first. Wiring, loose railings, rotten steps.
2. Water next. Roof leaks, gutters, drainage, caulk and paint that's failing.
3. Structure. Soft floors and sagging spots.
4. Then comfort and looks. Paint, trim and updates.

Talk to us about your older home

We do general home repairs, drywall repair, porch repair and more on homes of all ages. We'll tell you plainly when something needs an electrician, plumber or structural pro. Text a photo to (706) 594-5049, or use our free estimate form.