Old houses are wonderful for their character and charm, but they have special maintenance needs to keep them healthy and extend their lives. Particularly when seasons change, give your home a top-to-bottom visual inspection, and follow these tips to keep your older home happy.

Up On the Roof

Roofs can be expensive to replace, so regularly inspect yours to ensure it stays ship-shape. If you are comfortable on your roof, get up there when weather permits and give it the once-over. If your roof is steeply pitched, or if you prefer to stay on the ground, use binoculars.

• Look for leaks around vents, skylights, and chimneys
• Inspect all joints for old or insufficient caulking and flashing in need of replacement
• Check for loose or clogged downspouts
• Examine the roof for loose or missing shingles
  • For cedar shingles, look for rot and softness
  • For asphalt shingles, test for brittleness and look for disintegration
  • For slate roofs, watch for cracked, misaligned, deteriorating or missing slates
• Inspect the chimney for crumbling or sandy-looking mortar—if you find it, call a mason
• Make sure any bird screens are in place
• Have a professional roofer inspect the roof every 5-7 years

Windows and Screens

Your windows can last a lifetime if cared for properly. For windows, keeping moisture out of the wrong places and protecting the glass, sashes, and hinges from the elements goes a long way.

• Check for and repair loose or missing putty in the following areas
  • Along glass edges
  • Wood sashes
  • Wood stools
  • Sills
  • Window jambs
• Check for peeling paint on sills, sashes, and jambs
  • Pay particular attention to south- and west-facing windows
  • Scrape away loose paint, clean thoroughly, and seal with a fresh coat of paint
  • Have a carpenter specializing in older homes replace badly damaged sills
• Storm windows
  • In spring, remove and clean storm windows and replace with screens
  • Store vintage storm windows in a dry, protected area
  • In fall, take down screens and replace with storm windows
  • Inspect and patch all storm windows and screens as you remove them
• If you have casement windows
  • Tighten hinge screws to ensure a tight seal
  • Adjust the striker plate for the casement lock for a tight fit
  • Clean and lubricate hinges every few years
  • Monitor Whitco hinges—scissor-like openers at the top and bottom of the sash—for rust and corrosion

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are often used throughout the year. Keep them clean and tuned. Make sure the fan switch is off before cleaning.

• Use a damp cloth to remove dust accumulation
• Test fans before the worst of the summer heat hits
• Correct the blade alignment if you detect any wobbling
• Make sure that screws are firmly in place

Electrical

Be vigilant in monitoring your electrical system, and it can last and be safe you and your family for decades. If you find any aspect of your electrical is in particularly bad repair, call an electrician for advice—it may be time to re-do the wiring.

• Keep the path to the fuse box or circuit panel clear
• Keep replacement fuses on hand and store them near the fuse box
• Loose fuses can over-heat—periodically check them and screw them in tightly
• Keep the fuse box tightly closed—keep children, dust, and dirt out
• Replace antiquated, two-prong outlets with modern, grounded ones
• Or—at the very least—replace outlets that don’t hold securely, spark, smoke, or simply don’t work
• Check wiring for frayed insulation; call an electrician if you find it

Fireplace

Keep your fireplace clean, safe, and energy-efficient.

• Regularlyaclean fireplaces of ashes
• Check chimney for loose or missing mortar
• Make sure damper closes tightly to avoid high winter energy bills
• In spring, leave the damper open for ventilation
• In fall, have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected before use

Pest Control

Colder temperatures drive insects inside. Don’t let them move in with you.

• Fill any holes with expanding foam or calk to keep squirrels and insects out
• Check and repair unpainted and damaged fascia and soffits—these attract wasps, carpenter ants, and bees
• Examine exterior trim, siding, and decks for rot, fungi, and mildew

Basements

Though often neglected, basements usually contain the central nervous systems of older homes. Keep them healthy, and consider replacing older systems with more efficient units. Rebates and other incentives are often given to homeowners who take steps to conserve enerty.

• Check basement walls and floor for dampness
• Clean dehumidifiers regularly
• Inspect old pipes for dampness, drips, and leaks
• Have gas or oil furnaces serviced and cleaned every year
• Have boilers serviced annually
• Replace furnace filters regularly for optimum efficiency

[main image: iStockphoto | Thinkstock]