If you would love to own a Victorian style home that was built in 1900, you must be ready for the massive restoration process. When people buy an old property, they don’t want the house to have a “2018” feel to it post-restoration. Restoring an old property needs time and professional expertise comes in handy to keep everything in its original form. Here are some popular tips and tricks for restorations by experts.
Masonry
Most old buildings are built with stones, bricks and mortars. Many buildings need tuck point maintenance cycle every 10 to 15 years. An important thing to note about masonry is that the new mortars for the old house must match with the original color and texture as much as possible. They must be consistent in elevation and structure. Avoid using hard mortars made with cement as they can damage old homes. Another important tip is to remove all the worn out mortars.
Watch out for the Old Radiators
Old homes have outdated and ancient radiators as these radiators were built differently. The condensate and the steam unit are held together in a confined space. If possible, talk to an expert on replacing the old radiator with a modern one. Many companies are offering to repair or replace old radiators with new ones.
How to Care for the Old but Artistic Woodworks
Old homes have exquisite woodwork that needs protection and enhancement. Heartwood is the best option for restoring woodwork within old buildings. Experts recommend heartwood because it is disease resistant and durable. Use rift and quarter grain cuts for adding stability and durability. The best way to restore woodwork in old buildings is to use hand tools. Automatic tools might make the task easy but it could damage some parts of the door, floor, or any other area with woodwork.
Renovating Roofs and Slating
Most old homes use slating and stones from roof structure, to restore the stonework and slating it’s better to consult an expert and look for the right slate type. Make sure that you find the right parts for the roof as slating comes in a variety of materials. To improve the longevity of the roofs get it inspected regularly and make the minor changes before they lead to severe damage.