Sometimes the draw of an older home is irresistible. And while these buildings possess a certain undeniable charm, it’s also possible — quite likely, even — that there are a few safety hazards hidden inside. Whether you’re one of the 27% of Americans renting a home or you own the place, here are a few common safety hazards in older homes that you need to keep an eye out for and have fixed right away.
Lead Paint
If your home was built prior to 1940, there’s an almost 90% chance that there’s lead paint lurking on the walls inside. Even though lead-based paint was banned years ago, there are still homes with it on the walls. Whether it was never removed in the first place or it was painted without regard to health and safety regulations, this is a must-fix in your home. Lead paint is especially dangerous if you have small children or pets in your home. This paint tends to peel and chip off of the walls as it ages. If those paint chips are ingested, you’ll be dealing with lead poisoning and other serious health issues. Fortunately, lead paint is relatively easy to test for. If you have the opportunity, test for lead-based paint before you move into your new-to-you home. If lead paint is present on the walls and you can have it removed before your move-in date, you should absolutely do so. Considering that almost 60% of homeowners report that they’re planning to spend money improving their homes this year, you can mark this as the start of your home improvement journey.
Old or Faulty Electrical Work
Older homes often come with outdated or faulty electrical work within them. Not only does this increase the risk of electrocution, but it also increases the risk of an electrical fire starting. So before you move in, make sure you have an electrician come to check out the electrical work in the house. Some danger zones to pay attention to include outlets, light switches, and any exposed electrical work in the house. You might be surprised at how much your electrical system comes into play! For instance, your HVAC equipment — especially your air conditioning system — relies on your electrical system to run! And since only about 42% of homeowners invest in regular air conditioning maintenance, that’s something you’ll want to get looked at too.
Look Into Home Improvement Assistance Options
Living in an older home comes with some necessary home improvements. Unfortunately, the improvements we talked about above can be pretty expensive. If you’re struggling to finance these essential home improvements in older homes, make a point to look into how home repair programs can help you. If you’re buying an older home, there’s a good chance that it’s a historical landmark or that it has the potential to become one in your community. Most historical societies have funds set aside to restore homes like this, which may come in handy. There are also income-based home repair programs that can help with critical safety upgrades in your home.
Older houses can be a beautiful, if not a little bit of a time-consuming investment. If you’re preparing to live in an older home, make sure you’re taking these safety hazards into account.
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