What’s Behind Your Walls? A Primer to Remodeling in the District Of Colombia

As the old adage goes, “things were built differently back then”. Hypothetically, this can be a good thing, as craftsmen 100 years ago cut and nailed every board by hand, and a 2x4 was actually 2” by 4”. However, when it comes to updating old homes with modern technologies, it often poses problems. Unfortunately these problems also carry a hefty price tag as the labor involved in bringing homes up to code is quite costly. 

Here are what we have found to be some of the most prevalent and costly problems we find once we start renovating an older home. 

Outdated Plumbing and Electrical

Homes are built to different standards now than they were 50 or 100 years ago and building codes are updated as safety standards evolve. The type of wire or pipes used, as well as the location and installation method are no longer industry standard. Old wires can pose a fire risk and many old homes have galvanized steel for plumbing drains, which are susceptible to clogs and corrosion. As a rule of thumb, and in most cases as a code requirement, any room we touch needs to be brought up to code. This could mean replacing all of the electrical and replacing galvanized or other outdated plumbing with copper or PVC. The labor involved is usually extensive and will usually require drywall or plaster repair. 

Lead and Asbestos

If your house was build before 1978, which the majority of the homes in DC are, there is a good chance there is lead in the paint and quite possibly asbestos. Undisturbed, these materials are safe, but once they are scraped or are being removed completely, they pose a health risk. Testing is a common practice and is required by the EPA before a renovation and abatement of these materials can be costly as it is highly specialized and a somewhat risky job. However it is important to be vigilant when dealing with these products and to take all necessary steps to protect yourself and your family. 

Matching Existing Trim Profiles

Historic trim profiles can be beautiful and many people love retaining the historic charm of their homes. Because the door and window casing, plinth blocks, or baseboard were milled decades ago, these profiles are sometimes not available as stock items at local lumber yards. It is possible to get custom profiles milled but this comes with a hefty price tag as the cutting knives are cut by hand and machines set up for a single run of your trim. It can be well worth it to maintain consistency throughout your home, but be prepared for a higher price tag than stock materials. 

Plaster

One of our personal nemeses in old homes is plaster. Whether on wood framed walls or directly on brick, plaster poses a challenge during a renovation because it is a brittle material. It is easily damaged and repair can be costly as the thickness is inconsistent and most of the time doesn’t match up with modern materials used for patching. We do our best to protect plaster throughout the house but when walls are being removed or floors are replaced, cracking of plaster is almost inevitable. 

Keep these things in mind when thinking about a renovation as they can add time and money to a project.