There’s no doubt that new homes are not perfect by any means. But, when it comes to older homes, the issues are far more sinister and sometimes worse than you can even think of – both for homeowners & home buyers. Some of these issues may even carry health & safety hazards with them. However, prospective home buyers should be very careful before buying homes that are built before the 1980s.
Before the 1980s, the construction industry was a bit different. Toxic materials such as asbestos and lead were commonly found in construction materials (which are nowadays banned). Therefore, it can be quite difficult to locate some of the significant defects in older homes without any professional assistance. That’s why we’re here to help you out with the same. Whether you’re the homeowner or the home buyer, we suggest learning about these issues inside out.
Common Defects Found In Age-Old Houses
- The Presence Of Lead
Back in the early days, lead-based paints were the norm. According to professional services for a home inspection in Sarasota, these paints were used to coat both the exteriors as well as interiors of a home. Not only that but lead-based plumbing pipes were utilized as well. However, things have changed now and lead is considered to be one of the most deadly contaminants on Planet Earth.
Therefore, it can be safely said that the homes that were built before the 1980s will have unusual amounts of lead contamination – either through the paints or through the plumbing system. It was not until 1978 that lead was banned from being used in paints. So, you need to keep this essential information in mind.
- The Presence Of Asbestos
Asbestos is a type of material that can be both hazardous as well as amazing at the same time. Asbestos is generally used as an insulating material and it also offers fire resistance. Properties such as these made it very popular to be utilised in the production of ceiling tiles, floor tiles, plaster additives and insulation. However, in the year 1989, asbestos was banned from being used in construction materials.
The reason why asbestos is very much dangerous is not because of its presence but because its fibers can easily move in the air especially if the material containing asbestos gets damaged or disturbed. The fibers can quickly become airborne and thereby they can get inhaled by the home dwellers. Asbestos inhalation can lead to various types of respiratory diseases, the most common being asbestosis. Therefore, homeowners, as well as home buyers, should be very careful when living around asbestos-containing materials.
So, if you like to remain safe along with your family members & loved ones, we highly suggest opting for a proper home inspection process, which will help in discovering some of the aforementioned problems.
