If you’re shopping for a picturesque old home, there is no shortage of options in Buckhead and other areas north of Atlanta. However, your taste in architecture and old-fashioned style may leave you with HVAC and plumbing systems that have suffered with age.
Are you looking at old homes and hoping to avoid extensive system renovations? Be sure to assess a home’s plumbing and HVAC units before you buy.
Here is some advice for your home search.
Plumbing That Causes Problems
If a home dates back to the nineteenth century, it surely has seen several plumbing systems along the way. However, even early-to-mid-twentieth-century structures can be more work than homeowners bargained for.
Galvanized steel pipes are common in homes built during the 1960s and earlier. These pipes rust to such an extent that you likely will experience water pressure issues sooner or later. While you might fall in love with an old home, remember that a full replacement of the pipe system will run several thousands of dollars. Clay sewer lines are also common in homes from the pre-war era. Modern standards have moved well beyond clay.
Even pipes on homes from the 1970s and 1980s can fail. Polybutylene pipes made from plastic materials had their heyday from the late 1970s through the early 1990s. The subject of several class-action lawsuits over the years, these pipes are virtually guaranteed to burst at some point. Home inspectors may not make note of these pipes. Before you buy, confirm whether there are polybutylene pipes — otherwise, you’ll be paying for their replacement in the future.
Old Home HVAC Issues
HVAC systems in classic homes are woefully inadequate when compared to the modern options at your disposal. When deciding on your home, be cautious; weigh the need to install ductwork, for example, against your appreciation for the home’s character.
Qualified HVAC contractors may be able to add subtle ductwork to a home without calling attention to the exposed system. Flattened ducts are the answer in some cases, but even exposed ductwork may work in a picturesque home. Positioning the ducts in the right place and paying attention to color schemes can accomplish this goal.
More often than not, the biggest problem in an old home is poor insulation. If you are interested in buying a home and are willing to commit several thousands of dollars to the effort, commission a home energy audit for starters. This test will make it abundantly clear how much work your contractor will be obliged to do — and what it will end up costing on top of the home price.
Home shoppers should know that, as they prepare to make a purchase, the work that eventually will be required on a home can serve as a useful negotiating tool. Talk with a trusted Reliable Heating & Air specialist when you are on the market for a home — especially if you prefer older structures. You may end up saving a great deal of time, energy and money.
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