If you own or are on the market for an older home, it’s time to get smart about foundations. Older homes have had plenty of time to settle and have gone through decades of wear-and-tear that might mean they need foundation repair work done. This should not discourage you from finding the vintage or historic home of your dreams, it’s just something to keep in mind when planning for the future.
How old is “old”?
There are a few ways to categorize “older” homes. Homes built more than 50 years ago are considered “old” or “vintage.” Homes built before 1920 are considered “antique.” There are a lot of vintage and antique homes in the greater Milwaukee area, so the chances of you living in one at some point are fairly high.
Before having any work done on an older home, it’s important to know whether the home is included in the historic register of your city, county, or the National Register of Historic Homes. If it is, there are likely to be rules governing if and how you can make updates. Generally, these rules cover updates that would affect the look of the home to ensure the historic and architectural value of the home is maintained. Foundation repairs and updates may or may not be covered under these rules.
Signs of foundation issues in older homes
When looking for the older home of your dreams, there are a few visual cues that a home may have serious foundation issues, like:
- Cracked concrete. Tiny (or “hairline”) cracks in the concrete in and around a home are usually not a problem. What you want to look out for are cracks wider than a quarter inch. Cracks of this size will need to be filled and the foundation inspected for signs of water leakage, pest invasion, and other damage.
- Stressed door and window frames. As you’re going through a home, test out the doors and windows. If they are stuck or have problems opening and closing, there may be an issue with the foundation. You may even notice that door and window frames are slanted – again, this may indicate a foundation issue.
- Cracked or uneven floors. Floors and supports that are uneven or show significant signs of wear are a surefire indicator of foundation issues.
Causes of foundation issues in older homes
Foundation issues in older homes may be caused by:
- Wear and tear that comes with age. Older homes have simply had more time to face the elements, so some natural foundation sinking and wear-and-tear should be expected.
- Outdated materials or building tactics. Homes older than 50 years predate plastics and may even have foundations made of stone or other materials that have not stood the test of time. Modern foundations are usually made of poured concrete and tend to be more durable.
- Tree roots. An older home likely has older trees in the yard, and root systems have had decades to grow and expand, potentially causing problems with the foundation.
- Ground swelling. Wisconsin weather means the ground around a home experiences regular infusions of moisture, freezing, and thawing. This causes the soil to expand and contract, exerting pressure on a home’s foundation. A home that is 50+ years old has had many rounds of freezing and thawing, meaning decades of pressure on its foundation.
Should you buy an older home?
If you feel passionate about living in an older home, foundation repair and maintenance are just part of the deal. There are actually some upsides to purchasing an older home that may need foundation repair: this could scare away other buyers, giving you room to negotiate on price. Additionally, upgrading the home’s foundation could increase its resale value. Finally, if you are looking for a “fixer-upper,” an older home offers unique architecture and character that makes the experience of bringing it back to life that much more satisfying.
How Zablocki can help
Here at Zablocki Waterproofing, we have decades of experience servicing historic, vintage, and antique homes with expert foundation repair services. We have truly seen it all and are passionate about ensuring our local customers’ beloved homes are safe and secure from the ground up. Have an older home or questions before purchasing the historic home of your dreams? Give Zablocki a call today.
Proudly providing foundation repairs, foundation waterproofing, basement repair, and more services to Milwaukee and surrounding communities.
