Yesterday we began our discussion on living in older homes and the problems that can come from that. Living in Stafford Springs, you’re pretty much looking at living in an older home (70 years plus), and while there are some great qualities that come with older homes, there nonetheless are some headaches that you should be on the lookout for. Now, we’re not saying they’re horrible issues that should have you completely look the other way if you’re in the market for a new home, because every home will have its issues, whether it was built last year or at the turn of the 20th century.
So take a look at some of the issues that we have found associated with some older homes:
Insulation issues (or just not great insulation at all) The house I grew up in, located in the burrow, is over 100 years old. And both the insulation and the windows were probably just as old. For example, sitting a hot cup of tea next to a window would render that tea completely cold within a few short minutes. Now my family has since purchased new windows and replaced some insulation, but this is a perfect example. Furthermore, instead of thinking about cold air coming into the home, think about the warm air escaping your home too. That, my friend, will lead to some significantly higher utility bills. Keep that warm air inside and that cold air out!
Leaks and pipes- Going off of the insulation issue, during these bitterly cold nights in New England, a lack of good insulation will not only have you shivering, but your pipes will be as well. And when pipes freeze, they burst, and that’s a CT homeowners insurance nightmare.
Old Wiring- This IS definitely a serious problem with older homes. Before you even buy the home, make sure that the wiring is A.O.K., because faulty wiring can easily lead to a fire and CT homeowners insurance claim. Seriously, anything you find in terms of electricity: lights buzzing or going on and off, wires that look frayed or really old, or consistent circuit breaker issues, could mean you have some electric/wiring issues.