TOM: Appreciating older homes is one thing but maintaining and updating them is quite another. Hi. I’m Tom Kraeutler.
LESLIE: And I’m Leslie Segrete with today’s Money Pit Home Improvement Minute.
TOM: If you’re in the market for an older home, it’s important to know the pricy pitfalls to expect or avoid. For starters, original steel plumbing will need to be replaced and brass plumbing is ripe for problems, as well.
LESLIE: Yeah. Knob-and-tube electrical wiring is another feature common to older homes and it’s very unsafe. You’re going to need to swap it out for a modern electrical system, not only for your safety but to assure coverage from most insurance providers.
TOM: For all their charms, an older home won’t feature a central cooling system unless it’s been retrofitted. And original boilers, if still in use, don’t come close to today’s efficiency standards.
LESLIE: Finally, hot water pipes in homes built before the late 1970s might be wrapped in asbestos insulation, which can be hazardous to your health. But while older homes have their challenges, the charm that they deliver make them very worthwhile. I’m Leslie Segrete.
TOM: And I’m Tom Kraeutler. For more Money Pit Home Improvement Tips, visit moneypit.com.
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