Problems

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Asbestos
Condensation
Electrical wiring

No longer incorporated into building materials because of its health risks, asbestos was commonly used until the mid 1980s in fibre cement claddings and in spray on textured ceiling coatings. So long as the material containing asbestos is in good condition it is not considered to be a hazard to health, but if the surface becomes friable and starts to break up fibres can be released into the air. In the case of exterior wall claddings any attempt to sand or waterblast the surface may also release fibres and cleaning should only be undertaken by experienced persons. If you are purchasing a house which has materials containing asbestos it is likely that you may want them removed at some stage and the cost of having this work done by a specialist company should be factored into the maintenance budget.

This can be a considerable problem in poorly insulated and poorly ventilated buildings. It is most noticeable on windows but can occur on any relatively cold surface causing mould and mildew problems. Cold, damp homes are bad for your health. To minimise the problem the priorities are:

1) Keep the house warm. Temperatures should not drop below 16C and somewhere between 18-24C is ideal. So when purchasing you need to check that the methods of heating are adequate and that insulation has been installed where practicable. Most pre 1960s houses do not have insulation in the walls but if the cladding or the internal linings need replacing this will provide an opportunity to install some insulation.

2) Keep the house ventilated. All the air in the house should be renewed approximately once every two hours even when it is not occupied. This usually means installing windows with built in trickle ventilation or fitting existing windows with security catches that allow them to remain partially open at all times.

3) Remove excess moisture. Up to six litres of moisture per day can be generated within the home by day-to -day activities such as bathing, showering, cooking, breathing, watering plants, and using appliances including unvented gas heaters, clothes dryers, dishwashers and washing machines. To help reduce the problem extractor fans should be fitted in the kitchen, laundry and all bathroom/showers. The use of unvented gas heaters should be avoided if possible.

Faulty electrical wiring is a common cause of fire in older houses.

Most of these houses have probably been partially rewired but, while the power circuits may have been renewed, the lighting circuits often remain untouched.

If an inspection reveals that potentially dangerous wiring or fixtures are still in use you will be recommended to have everything checked by a registered electrician.

Once any necessary upgrades have been completed the whole system can be issued with a Certificate of Compliance which will provide reassurance to future purchasers and may mean lower insurance premiums.