Love a classic 1960s ranch-style home? Adore a Victorian style from the turn of the 20th century? I get it! These older homes have a lot of charm and character that you just can’t get with a new tract home. There’s a certain nostalgic feel and a lived-in quality to a historic house that takes decades (or more!) to build—and plenty of homebuyers are on the hunt for a charming fixer-upper!
Older and historic homes definitely have a lot of charm. What many homebuyers don’t know, however, is that they also come with some surprises you may not like! Don’t worry: They’re still great, and many people love their older homes, warts and all. For some buyers, though, these little, nagging issues can add up quickly to a money pit! So, let’s discuss what to know before you buy an old home in Houston.
Old and Obsolete Plumbing
To begin with, older homes may have galvanized plumbing. Today, builders use PVC, PEX, or copper pipes to move water throughout a home due to their superior flexibility and longevity. But prior to 1990, it was common to use galvanized steel for water-supply systems. The main problems with galvanized steel pipes are rust and corrosion, which can lead to low water pressure, leaks, and contaminated water. The pipes’ zinc coating that prevents rust deteriorates over time, allowing the steel to rust from the inside out. That creates blockages and releases rust and heavy metals into your water supply. Over the course of 50 to 100 years, galvanized steel typically develops cracks or pinholes, causing them to leak—or worse, burst! That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy a home with galvanized steel plumbing, but if you’d like to buy an older home in Houston, you need to be aware of the future costs of leak repairs or possibly even a full re-piping.
Moving on, older homes typically also have older sewer drain lines. Back in the day, sewer drain lines were made of cast iron or clay, but today, PVC is most commonly used. After about 40 years, cast iron pipes start to rust, crack, and burst, leading to hidden leaks. These hidden leaks can impact the foundation and are also an attractive source of water for tree roots, which could lead to the bigger problem of roots infiltrating your pipes and damaging them. If you’re considering a home that is 40 years old or older, it may be useful to have a hydrostatic test performed during the option period to check for leaks in the sewer drain lines. If there are no leaks, you should still be prepared to budget for a future repipe of this system if you own the home long enough.
Bad Wiring
Think all electrical wiring is the same? Think again! Today, copper electrical wiring in houses is the standard in Houston. But off and on, there were periods of time between the 1960s and the 1980s when it was cost-prohibitive to use copper wire for the electrical system. During this period in history, many homes were wired with aluminum, which does come with an increased fire risk due to aluminum’s physical properties, including overheating from oxidation and thermal expansion loosening connections.
Now, this might not be a deal-breaker! While aluminum wires do carry an increased risk of fire, older houses typically don’t just burst into flames, even with our modern electricity consumption. A full rewire usually isn’t recommended unless the homeowner already has another reason to take a house down to the studs, (which isn’t common). Still, it’s important to be aware of whether or not a home has aluminum wiring before you buy, so you can decide if you’re prepared to live with it or not!
Leaded vs. Unleaded
Lastly, let’s remember that lead-based paint was commonly used in Houston homes all the way up until 1978! Unfortunately, lead is toxic to both humans and animals. Exposure can occur when lead paint flakes off, crumbles, or is disturbed during renovations, creating toxic lead dust that can be inhaled or swallowed. It’s especially harmful to children, potentially causing irreparable damage to the brain and nervous system.
Before you freak out, understand that lead paint is not harmful as long as it is sealed! In most cases, any lead paint in an older Houston home has been painted over multiple times in the past 45+ years, so any lead is contained. Many older homes in Houston have a layer of lead paint somewhere under the current wall paint, and there is no epidemic of lead poisoning here!
Nevertheless, friable lead paint (or flaking lead paint) can be a serious health hazard that you definitely want to avoid. If the home you’re considering was built before 1979, you may want to have the house tested for lead to assess any risk that may be present now or in the future.
Let’s Help You to Buy an Old Home in Houston You’ll Love!
If you’d like to buy an older home in Houston, don’t be discouraged! None of the issues we’ve discussed here are fatal flaws if you have all the facts and accept that old houses come with old-house problems. There are many beautiful older homes for sale in Houston, and plenty of fun fixer-uppers, too! Many are safe to buy and live in for many years. Nevertheless, it’s wise to plan ahead—just in case you end up needing to deal with one of these issues sooner than you expected.
And we can help! The team at Angel Fultz Realty is experienced in helping homebuyers find and buy older homes in Houston, and we’re ready to help you navigate the entire process process. We love the charm of older homes, too, and our team has helped countless buyers and sellers on both sides of the home sale. We also have a team of vetted industry partners to recommend who can help with your inspections, so you have all the information needed to make an informed decision about your real estate purchase.
Contact us today to get started!!