Is there a book, website or app that tells you what you might find in homes over the decades?
example: in the 1940s and 1950s tin-coated copper wire was most popular. / Steam heating systems were installed mostly during the late 1800s to the 1940s
“When Bad Things Happen to Good Buildings”, Charles Joseph McClain
I’ve got a photo in there somewhere (for which I was given credit). My sole claim to fame. May not be exactly like a timeline, but does list red flag materials and when they were introduced (years) to look for during a building assessment.
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Straight from the Author… $100 less expensive!!, and NEW not Used
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I used to add this summary at the end of my reports. I haven’t updated it for a while. It would be interesting to see what others would consider significant historical changes in home construction that could be added to the list.
History of Home Construction
LEAD
*Homes constructed prior to 1978 may contain lead paint. A home inspection does not test for the presence of environmental hazards such as lead paint. If lead-based paint is suspected, a paint inspection by an EPA certified inspector is recommended.
ASBESTOS
*Homes constructed between 1930 and 1950 may contain Asbestos insulation. A home inspection does not test for the presence of environmental hazards such as asbestos insulation. If asbestos insulation is suspected, an inspection by a trained asbestos professional is recommended.
*Homes constructed prior to 1973 may contain Asbestos building materials. A home inspection does not test for the presence of environmental hazards such as asbestos building materials. If asbestos building materials are suspected, an inspection by a trained asbestos professional is recommended.
*Homes constructed prior to 1990 that is insulated using vermiculite insulation sold under the brand name Zonolite contains asbestos fibers mixed in with the vermiculite. Not all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos fibers. A home inspection does not test for the presence of environmental hazards such as asbestos. If asbestos contaminated insulation is suspected, an inspection by a trained asbestos professional is recommended.
PLUMBING
*Homes constructed prior to the late 1940’s may have used lead water supply pipes. A home inspection does not test for the presence of environmental hazards such as lead piping and will not identify concealed lead piping. If lead piping is suspected, further evaluation by a licensed plumbing contractor is recommended.
*Homes built between 1978 and mid-1995 may contain Polybutylene (PB) piping. A home inspection may not reveal the presence of PB piping and will not identify concealed PB piping. If PB piping is suspected, further evaluation by a licensed plumbing contractor is recommended.
*Homes built before 1986 that have copper or copper alloy water lines may contain lead solders. A home inspection will not identify copper pipes that have been assembled using lead solder. If lead solder is suspected, further evaluation by a licensed plumbing contractor is recommended.
ELECTRICAL
*Homes constructed from about 1880 to the 1940s may contain Knob-and-tube (K&T) wiring. A home inspection may not reveal the presence of knob-and-tube wiring and will not identify concealed knob-and-tube wiring. If knob-and-tube wiring is suspected, further evaluation by a licensed electrical contractor is recommended.
*Homes in the U.S. built before 1962 were not equipped with three-slot grounding receptacles. A home inspection may not reveal improperly installed retrofit grounding receptacles.
*Homes constructed between 1965 and 1973 may contain single-strand aluminum branch circuit wiring. A home inspection will not identify concealed aluminum wiring. If aluminum circuit wiring is suspected, further evaluation by a licensed electrical contractor is recommended.
*Homes built before the 1990’s may not have been equipped with GFCI protection in certain areas considered standard today. We recommend upgrading to GFCI protection by a license contractor to meet, at a minimum, the latest and most current code in areas that are considered “grandfathered”.
*Homes built to today’s standards may not have been equipped with Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRR). TRR’s prevent accidental injuries from inserting metal objects into receptacles. Small children are at the greatest risk. If this is a concern, we recommend replacing standard electrical receptacles with Tamper Resistant Receptacles by a licensed contractor.
*Homes built to today’s standards may not have been equipped with Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI’’s). AFCI’s prevent electrical fires due to faulty wiring or outlets. If this is a concern, we recommend replacing standard electrical receptacles or breakers with Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters by a licensed contractor.
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It’s also a newer edition.
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Wow! 92 bucks…are free with Kindle…You could pay for a lot of Kindle if you really wanted this book.
Doesn’t appear to be available on Kindle.
Here is a more practical entry than simply criticizing the price of a book none of you have.
I was searching Kindle Unlimited.