Toronto is home to numerous older homes, and many of them are appreciated for their charm, character and history. While some are designated as heritage properties for their cultural heritage value or interest, many older homes have incredible features that usually don’t come in today’s mass-produced homes. But don’t sign your lease just yet–older homes can come with their own issues. From regrettable past renovations to rots and cracks that your landlords may not be upfront about, here’s a quick checklist of what to watch out for in an older home during your tour.
Foundation
Foundation is the single most important part of your house. It supports your home and bears the weight. Poured concrete block footings and slab foundations should last more than 100 years, given they have been constructed well. Over time, whether due to natural wear and tear or inattention by the owner, the foundation may require repairs. During your property walkthrough, keep an eye out for any kind of cracks, gaps, mold, water stains, flaking concrete, fracture, or even just tiny zigzagging lines. Also, quite a few older homes won’t have extensive waterproofing in place around the foundation, with leakages in the basements. Back then, there weren’t wet-vacuums or sump pumps to remove flood water. Depending on where you live, the ground may have shifted, city planning may have changed the local lay of the land, or the water table may have risen since your home was built. Although most tenants won’t own a moisture metre, this tool is designed to effectively detect moisture content in different materials. Place one of these on the basement wall, and you will be able to easily tell if your next home has some serious moisture issues.
Roof
Along with the foundation, the roof is another crucial part of the house that we take for granted. By the time we notice issues with extreme weather conditions and animal invasions, it’s too late. While different types of shingles have diverse lifespans, it really depends on the weather, maintenance record, installation quality and roof grade. Depending on these factors and how well they’ve been maintained, your roofs could last somewhere between 15 and 50 years. During your property tour, look out for missing shingles, leaks, moisture or mold on the top floor or freshly painted walls, which may be a quick but very temporary fix to cover up problems like water damages.
Hazardous Materials
As time passes, new discoveries get made and new standards get introduced to ensure we have safer homes than before. Many older homes built before 1978 contain both lead-based paint and asbestos. It was widely used in commercial and residential environments due to its low cost and fire-resistant abilities. Many older homes still have walls, crawlspaces and pipes that have asbestos insulation and panels. Direct long-term exposure is a risk for visible contact surfaces, while those tucked away in inaccessible spaces and walls are unlikely to pose serious risks.
There’s also the threat of carbon monoxide leaking from your stove, dryer, oven or HVAC system, which can cause dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath or in some cases, death. Look out for mold and mildew as well.
Outdated
Many old homes retain what was popular back then, not just in charm and style, but also at structural levels, such as in electricals and plumbing. Knob-and-tube could support the electrical loads of the time back then, but aren’t adequate for what our modern appliances require, and can be a fire hazard. Another area of concern is the risk of electrocution in wet areas, such as baths and kitchens, that can be solved by GFCIs or ground-fault circuit interrupters. GFCIs shut down circuits in 4 milliseconds, before a current can cause a deadly shock.
Plumbing is another big ticket item that is common to not be upgraded in these older homes. Galvanized pipes from the 1960s may contain lead and as they decompose over time, the fragments can be dispersed into drinking and bathing water. Polybutylene pipes installed between the 70s and 90s tend to corrode due to chemicals, making them prone to bursting. Old trees may have roots growing into the plumbing system underground. Clogging and residue buildup in pipes can result in water backups, leaks, smells, low pressure, and stoppages. During your property tour, check out for low water pressure, slow water drainage in sinks, bathtubs and showers, and even freshly painted walls, which, again, may be a quick fix to cover up problems like water damages.
Many of these old homes also come with outdated appliances and equipment, such as furnaces, AC units and water heaters. To avoid the heat going out or a sudden cold shower in the middle of winter, make sure to check when each appliance was purchased and its average lifespan. Also make sure to check when each appliance, especially the HVAC, was serviced last. Appliances last many years, but some may look like they need to be replaced very soon — see if your landlords are willing to replace them before you move in, as you don’t want your fridge to break down right after your move!
Energy
Many old homes, despite their superior construction quality compared to the newer homes, are typically less energy efficient. New homes adhere to new standards that various governmental organizations regularly update, come with tighter insulation and better windows. This means that older homes get colder in the winter and hotter in the summer than your neighbour’s newer house, using a lot of energy to keep it at the desired temperature (or many layers of clothing in winter). It also means higher utility bills. Not just that, but other factors like the light fixtures and appliances all add to your home’s energy efficiency. During your property tour, look out for:
- Do the lights seem updated? Rather than the traditional incandescent lights, look out for compact fluorescent or LED lights.
- Do most of the appliances, including the HVAC system, in place come with a high Energy Star rating?
- Do you feel drafts around the window frames and doors? Even after you move in, many of these areas can be sealed by caulking around frames, installling or replacing weatherstripping, and adding a door sweep.
Pests
Older homes often come with undesired roommates that can be a living nightmare for some. Cracks and gaps open in wood, sealing, plaster, or insulation. Paint chips away, weatherproofing rubs away, screens tear. Insects do not need more than a few millimeters and a mouse only needs a ¼ inch hole to penetrate a home, and these cracks and holes are more likely to be common in older homes. Another big issue is that most older homes are attached to older municipal infrastructures and are typically surrounded by other older homes, increasing the probability of having rodents and pests in your house. Older homes are more likely to have a history of additions or improper modifications. For example, if plumbing was done incorrectly, rodents can enter a home through the sewer system, or if a roof was not installed properly, there may be a gap that squirrels or bats can move in as well. During your property tour, look out for signs of pests and rodents, such as their droppings and pest traps set throughout the house, and don’t be afraid to bluntly ask the landlord if this property had any pest issues!
Although older homes may come with issues that you don’t have to worry about with newly constructed homes, there’s no denying that these homes are full of history, character and charm that only come with time. Make sure you do your due diligence during the property walkthrough to save any hassle and enjoy making that heritage house your next, beautiful home!
