If you opt for a fixer-up rather than a new house, you need to be aware of the drawbacks you are likely to experience. A fixer-up is great when you want to save money. However, some of them come with problems that might end up being expensive to fix. Buying an old house is not a bad idea. However, you should be ready to face some of these drawbacks. The following are some of the problems you will come across during the renovation.

  • Leaking Roof

With an old house, expect to deal with an old roof. Unless the previous owners replaced the roof, be ready with a substantial amount of money to renovate the deteriorating roof. With the exterior, you will need to replace cracked shingles or tiles, detached gutters, and falling concrete. On the inside, you will need to get rid of water stains, bad insulation, and any piece of timber that is already rotten. So, before you start, the first thing you need to do is having the room inspected.

  • Mold and Mildews

If the house has been abandoned for a long time, you will also be dealing with molds and mildew. These two come as a result of poor ventilation and too much moisture. The first thing you need to do when you notice mold problems is looking for the origin. Check places like the chimney, roof, and eaves. There are many reasons why there is mold in the house. Prepare to get rid of the mold. After that, you can use a chlorine dioxide odor bomb to get rid of the odor.

  • Plumbing Problems

Leaking water could be a source of many problems in the house. Therefore, get a reliable plumber to check the problem. The plumbing system is a bit complicated. Therefore, it is best you leave the job to professionals. Depending on the age and maintenance of the house, you might have to fix several plumbing issues, including leaking faucets, broken pipes, low water pressure, clogged drainage, among others. While you fix this, check if the water system has been damaged by the trees in your compound.

  • Outdated Fixtures

If you are buying a house that was built many years ago, then be ready to do several replacements. You are going to come across many outdated fixtures, some of which are very inefficient. You might have to upgrade the windows, replace the floor, the sinks, taps, doors, lighting, and more. Apart from improving efficiency, fixing these features makes your house more energy-efficient.

  • Hazardous Materials

Materials like lead and asbestos were banned many years ago. If the house was built before the 1980s, there is a high chance that it contains these hazardous materials. It could be on water pipes, floor tiles, gutters, and ceilings. These materials pose various risks, including health-wise ones. Moreover, if the materials are disrupted during renovation or left for too long, they tend to bring various problems. Consider covering rid paint with the modern one or have it removed if not in good condition.

Conclusion

Buying a fixer-up is a good idea. However, you need to know the hurdles you will come across when renovating. So, before you make the purchase, ensure you are ready to finance the repair of the problems mentioned above.