Unless you move into a new build or construct a household yourself, odds are that you’ll be living in a home that has been owned by previous owners. Of course, sometimes the “enjoyed” part of that sentence is entirely incorrect. Not everyone is cut out to manage a household, and this can easily lead to neglect and the slow development of damage in the property.
This isn’t always a character flaw, as perhaps the prior owner had mobility issues, worked away from home for most of the year, or simply couldn’t afford repairs and upkeep, hence the sale. Either way, moving into the household will generally place the burden for these fixes on your shoulders.
You may be willing to address this of course, armed with a little knowledge from our website and the set aside funds to put things right. Perhaps you even negotiated a lowered asking price, given all the work that had to be done.
Either way, undoing the damage of a prior house owner takes time, care and caution to achieve. In this post, we’ll discuss the very many areas worth inspecting and how to go about their improvement:
Full Roof Inspections
If a house is neglected, even in part, you can almost be certain that the roof is going to be affected. That’s not to say roofing systems break down all the time or that a little maintenance issue always turns into a huge structural problem, but it does mean you should at least inspect the space. Such an inspection might reveal missing shingles, damaged flashing, or deeper structural issues that could lead to leaks and water damage over time.
You could start by examining your roof from the ground with binoculars to spot obvious issues like missing shingles or sagging sections, perhaps even torn areas where the guttering is hanging. For a more trustworthy assessment, however, it’s worth considering hiring professional roof inspection services to give you the peace of mind. They can obviously attend to the big issues, but also the subtle problems that your own untrained eyes might miss.
It’s not just obvious damage or holes you have to be wary of, either, as moss and algae growth can easily cause moisture retention issues that can decay roofing materials faster than normal. You might notice dark streaks or green patches spreading across sections of your roof, for instance.
Foundational Care
Foundation problems can easily be the most serious and expensive issues gifted from previous homeowners who didn’t pay much attention to the property (thanks, guys!) You may notice issues like cracks in walls (especially diagonal ones), doors that stick or won’t close properly, and uneven floors throughout the house.
A professional foundation assessment could save thousands and potentially even a household from structural collapse. A professional will use specialised equipment to measure the extent of any settlement or shifting and can recommend appropriate solutions based on your specific situation, such as foundational repair or even just repairing drainage. It might also include mudjacking or implementing more supports. That costs a fair amount, of course, but it can resolve an issue for decades or more.
Water Runoff Solutions
Poor water management isn’t always that easy to resolve, especially if you’re otherwise occupied, and so it might be behind many of your serious home issues, be that foundation damage or basement flooding. The prior owner might have allowed downspouts to discharge too close to the house or ignored landscaping grading entirely.
A quick fix is to extend downspouts at least six feet from your home, because it helps to direct water safely away from the foundation. You could use decorative downspout extensions or buried drainage pipes, depending on your visual preferences and budget.
French drains are great, especially for homes with continual drainage problems, serving as gravel-filled trenches with perforated pipes that collect water and channel it away from certain areas. You may also need to call in a landscaper to fix up sloped channels called swales or to help you put in a rain garden. This way, water can be dealt with, even if you live at the bottom of a wet hill..
Restoring Deadened Features
Many homeowners find it easier to block up a fireplace than to maintain and clean the chimney over the years. Or maybe they just preferred to have an eco solution in its place and not burn wood, which isn’t a bad idea if you care about the emissions of your household. But then again, bringing these elements back to life can add a great deal of charm and functionality to your space. Moreover, with energy costs these days, no one is going to lament you burning your own wood, provided you’re not restricted in an urban area where that can be limited.
Fireplace restoration usually begins with a thorough inspection to properly understand the safety concerns. Chimney sweeps can remove dangerous buildup and let you know about the structural issues that need addressing before you enjoy that first cosy fire. It’ll take time, and you’ll need to vacate the room for a while as the feature is corrected, but the final result can be worth it. You may also be raising the household value tremendously with your effort, which is nothing if not worth the time poured into it.
Outdoor Building Repair
If the prior house owner neglected the condition of the main household, it’s probably safe to assume they ignored any outbuildings too, unless they were a keen gardener or found a smaller structure easier to deal with. Either way, sheds, garages, and other outbuildings can easily suffer the most neglect, given how exposed to the elements they are. You may find sagging doors, rotted wood siding, or leaking roofs, and as such, not be able to use these structures until they’re repaired.
You should start with structural inspections to ensure buildings are sound before investing in any repairs or improvements, as there’s no point trying to save a building one press away from falling over. If it’s a larger structure made from more durable materials, you might be able to repair roof beams or supports, but make sure you know what you’re doing, or call professionals in just in case, because it could be a safety risk.
If you’re lucky, you may just need to clean, weather seal, replace broken glass, or perhaps fix up the roofing, and you may have a good outbuilding. At the very least, you may be able to sell the materials and expand your garden space again, ready for a new outside structure.
Path Replacement/Cleaning
Many of the previously mentioned issues, such as water damage, can cause harm to pathways. Age and use have an effect, too, of course. You might notice uneven sections where the nearby tree roots have pushed up concrete, or where stains and moss have grown, making it look less appealing than it could be unless you’re going for a full-scale nature-reclaimed rustic aesthetic.
However, cleaning up your existing paths could show they’re actually in decent shape under all that grime. Running a pressure washer over old concrete or stone can be surprisingly satisfying, and you’ll better see what you’re actually working with.
Some paths might just need a good cleaning and minor repairs in this way. You could fill smaller cracks with the right patching compound and buy yourself several more years of usability. If the sections have shifted badly, you might want to consider breaking them out and replacing just those trouble spots rather than tearing everything up.
If paths are simply not worth saving or you want a new style, thinking about materials that complement your home’s style is worthwhile. For example, brick pavers are classic and age well. Natural stone costs more but lasts practically forever if installed properly, and can be cleaned over and over. If something in your repair effort seems missing, check the paths. You may be surprised.
Pipework
If the house is old or rural, odds are you’re going to need to look at the pipework. Just like messing with your electrical system, it’s best to call in a professional unless you’re qualified, because the chance of causing harm is much higher than usual DIY.
In effect, copper pipes usually last decades, but they can develop tiny pinhole leaks as they age, and you might spot greenish stains on basement ceilings or walls that show where slow leaks have been happening. Older homes sometimes still have galvanised steel pipes that gradually narrow inside from mineral buildup. You might notice your water pressure isn’t great or that water from certain taps runs rusty occasionally, or even hear banging. As you won’t be looking to these for their aesthetic matching, going for the most modern and functional replacement you can is wise, and consulting a water damage restoration service can help address any hidden water damage caused by leaks.
With this advice, you’ll be more certain in undoing the damage of a neglectful prior owner. The house will thank you for it, as will any future owner, but you’ll no doubt dramatically improve the value of the space too. As such, you can consider your investment worth the expense.
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