Originally Posted By: dbush This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I am doing an inspection on a 93 year old home on Tuesday. It is a 2 story with unfinished basement. Does anyone look at anything specific to older homes with one this old. Actually it is probably like my parent’s old house and it will hold up longer than most of the new ones.
Originally Posted By: rmeyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Dave,
Be prepared for a little bit of everything! Potential for 93 years of remodeling and "Do-It-Yourselfers" should be interesting. Probably knob-and-tube wiring remnants and possibility of asbestos linings in knob-and-tube "junction boxes" and asbestos pipe and/or duct wrap. May even see some lead piping, probably on the drainage side. (Problem if on supply side) I've also seen remnants of old gas light fixtures from this period and earlier. Brick foundation also a possibility. Multiple layers of roofing and window with weights and sash cords, just a few items!
Heating system could be anything from coal burner to High Efficiency Gas! Probably some weird in between combination.
Enjoy the experience and maybe allow yourself some extra time to analyze some of the things you are going to see.
Let us know how things go and what unique things show up!
Originally Posted By: nlewis This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
There could be issues with the chimney. From the roof on up the chimney could have been rebuilt, but falling apart in the attic. If the heating system has been replaced with a high efficiency gas unit, the flue could be incorrectly run into an unlined chimney. The chimney flues should definitely be inspected by a chimney professional. The chimney doesn’t have to be near that old to be unlined. Recently, I inspected a house built in 1929 that had unlined flues for the fireplace and heating system, and had a pieces of framing sticking into the flue. Years ago, I inspected a brand new upscale house that had a piece of wood visible in the masonry liner above the fireplace. The chimney had to be torn apart to fix it.
And don't forget that 93 years old is just someones best guess at the age. The other day I inspected a house that supposedly was built in 1958. One look at the box gutters and 3x4 rafters without a ridge board told me the house was at least 100.
Originally Posted By: ecrofutt This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
101 year old house. 3 different periods of electrical upgrades. 3 or 4 different panels & subpanels.
Remnants of the old plumbing (non-working) were still in place. Had a foot pedal style pump in the basement for the well. Pumped the water to a storage tank in the attic. Gravity flow from there back down to the two story house.
Originally Posted By: David VanderSchaaf This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi All
How do you guys charge for older houses. I inspected a 90 year old house this morning and it was a money pit. The client was so glad they hired me and decided not to go through with the deal. I spent a substantial longer amount of time on it and was wondering what the norm is for an inspection on an older home.
