Historic Home Maintenance 101

Owning a historic home is like owning a fine wine collection or a gallery of art-it has to be appreciated and preserved to stand the test of time. So when problems arise in a historic structure, it’s important to use historic home maintenance techniques to prevent further damaging the home. Many homeowners are often in a hurry to repair the damages. This can sometimes cause more damage than it was worth to get fixed. For instance, brick mortar needs to be replaced with a heavy lime mixture and not conventional Portland to prevent the new mortar from expanding and breaking older kiln fired bricks. By understanding the basics of historic home renovation preservation techniques, you can easily make your historic home last for years to come.

Basic Inspections

Your older home is perfect for preservation-unlike newer built homes. Materials like wood and stone will last indefinitely with the correct maintenance and schedule. An inspection checklist should be created and consist of the following items to be inspected every 6-12 months:

Six Months–

· Gutters, Eaves and Soffits · Chimney Bricks · Painted Wood Materials · Foundation

Twelve Months–

· Roofing · Painted and Unpainted Masonry · Mortar Joints · Windows and Doors · Siding

Always start your inspection from the bottom of your older home to the top. Keep in mind that climbing on a ladder and on your roof can be a dangerous and difficult job. A quick look with a pair of binoculars can save you a trip up the ladder and out of danger.

Inspections can also cause damages to a historic home. Shingles can easily tear when walked upon, mortar can be knocked loose with tools and fascia can easily get damaged from a ladder resting against it. Avoid unnecessary handling and contact with fragile historic building materials when possible to prevent unwanted damages.

Historic Repair 101

With historic maintenance techniques like biannual/annual inspections, painting and cleaning can help keep your historic structure from requiring repair. But when repairs are needed, always keep these important tips in mind:

· Don’t remove any architectural features · Maintenance is always easier than repair · Always renovate instead of replacing materials with new ones since modern materials react differently and can actually damage existing materials · Use original or reclaimed building materials when possible · Never remove any loose masonry materials

While some basic maintenance techniques can be performed by the homeowner, it’s a good idea to call a professional for repairs. If you’re unsure about any repairs, call a historic home renovator. A qualified historic home contractor can help you to determine the best path for keeping your historic home in great shape throughout the years.


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