6 Common Hazards in Older Homes According to Realtors in Rumson, NJ

Advice on purchasing a historic home from Rumson, NJ Realtors

Some potential home buyers out there prefer the old world look and charm of a historic home. But Rumson, NJ Realtors advise that old homes can be hiding plenty of old problems such as radon in the basement or asbestos in the attic. Buyers should seek the advice of a knowledgeable architect or design-build remodeling contractor to investigate dangers common in older homes. Rumson, NJ Realtors believe that when a home improvement budget is spent wisely, the home can hold or increase its value.

Below are 7 risks that can await potential home buyers according to Rumson NJ Realtors as well as how to address them:

Radon is a Hazard According to Rumson NJ Realtors

Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that is odorless and colorless. Radon gas is formed from the natural breakdown of the soil and rock underneath a home and any home can have a radon gas problem. It usually enters the home through cracks in the foundation. Realtors in Rumson, NJ, home inspectors and contractors can help test for radon prior to purchase. Some options to deal with the presence of radon include sealing the basement floor and installing ventilation or having to completely tear up floors and pipes to reinstall them.

Asbestos

This household danger was typically used to insulate furnaces and boilers, as well as the water pipes leading to radiators. It also was commonly used in vinyl floor coverings, a cement-and-fiber siding called transite, and in a similar composite roofing material. The health threat comes primarily from the softer "friable" form found in insulation as when it is touched, it emits toxic dust. Regarding exterior asbestos, Rumson, NJ Realtors as well as contractors advise to leave it alone as asbestos is a good insulator and is non-friable.

Oil tanks

Oil tanks are common in older homes because oil was the most common heat source many years ago. Today, most states require contractors to obtain a special environmental permit before removing buried heating oil tanks. Samples are taken from the soil around the tank to evaluate levels of contamination. Options for dealing with oil tank issues can be disposing of them or filling them with rocks or sand.

Cracked foundation

According to Rumson, NJ Realtors, a cracked foundation can be one of the most dangerous elements of an older home. Common foundation materials used years ago such as cement and cinder blocks have been known to crack and leak over time. Water that has entered the foundation can lead to dangerous issues such as termites, mold, and mildew.

Lead-based paint

Lead-based paint is a complicated issue when speaking of older homes, according to Rumson, NJ Realtors. In its solid form, whether on interior or exterior surfaces, it is not harmful unless ingested. When it peels or flakes off of exterior siding, particles can become airborne or drop into soil where children or pets might ingest them. As a result, contractors will most likely remove exterior siding and replace it to avoid the risk of further lead contamination.

Grounded outlets can be dangerous according to Realtors in Rumson

Electrical wiring in older homes is different from wiring used in today’s homes in the way that an old electrical box had 60 or 100 amps, compared to today’s standard of 200 amps. Wiring was typically not grounded, and there was no such thing as ground fault interrupter (GFI) circuits or outlets that are required in modern homes. Rewiring your old house can be done room by room or all at once and vary in cost from $75 for one single outlet to $10,000 to rewire an entire home.

 

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