If you have moved into an old house, or have been living in one, you may find that there are many aspects where modernization is a necessity. Older building practices and materials were made for an older age, one less friendly to the needs of today. Here are a few things in your old home that may need upgrading, either from the wear and tear of the years or just to make it compatible with the modern age.

Plumbing 
Look at the plumbing in the house and make sure that the piping is still in working condition. Brass pipes are designed to last between 40 and 70 years, whereas copper pipes are designed to last over 50 years. Galvanized steel pipes are designed to last between 20 and 50 years, and most PVC pipes are designed to last even a shorter amount of time. Consider the age of your house in relation to the material used, and make sure that time and use haven’t created any weak parts in your system. You also need to check the drain lines. Cast iron drain lines last between 75 and 100 years, but rust can make earlier replacement a necessity.

Foundation 
You also need to look at the home’s foundation. While foundations are designed to last forever, shifts in the earth’s surface may change that plan. If an attic, basement or another addition was made to the home, then the original foundation may no longer support the home properly. Look for cracks in the foundation, cracks in walls and other telltale signs to show that the home’s foundation is having a problem. These faults can be a major liability in your home’s stability and insulation and should be addressed immediately.

Asbestos 
There are many older homes with asbestos in them, especially in those built between 1930 and 1950. Depending on the type of insulation in the attic, it may contain asbestos. Popcorn ceilings often contain asbestos, along with plumbing fixtures and vinyl flooring. There are many other materials used to construct homes that may contain asbestos including electrical panels, drywall, cement sheets, plaster and caulking. As confirmed through icunj.us, the health risks of asbestos are severe and life-threatening in any level of exposure and absolutely must be removed by a professional service. Search for asbestos removal in NJ or whatever area you live to have your home tested if you have doubts, as professional testing through a lab is the only way to detect asbestos.

Electric 
Each year, over 358,000 house fires happen in the United States. Many are started by faulty electricity in the home. Before you remodel an old house, ensure that the electric system is up to code. For example, in many older homes, the breaker box is in a closet in the middle of the home, and this is illegal in many locales. Often, you cannot get the home connected to electricity until it is inspected by a government official.

If you are thinking of remodeling an older house, consider each of these factors. It will help you predict the costs of unexpected problems you may encounter during the remodeling process. After all, you do not want to start a remodeling project that you cannot complete because of unforeseen costly problems.