What Must Be Checked When Renovating an Old Home?

In an old home the hidden things are checked first: the wiring, the water pipes, the drains and damp. Paint and flooring done before these are sorted out are taken up again within a few years.

A seven-point checklist

1. Electrics: condition of the cables, the fuse box, earthing and the residual-current device.
2. Water supply: rust and leaks in old metal pipes; whether the valves work.
3. Waste and drains: smells, slow drains, leaks to the floor below.
4. Damp and waterproofing: blistering, mould and stains in bathrooms, balconies and external walls.
5. Plaster and walls: hollow plaster, cracks, layer upon layer of old paint.
6. Windows and doors: how they close, draughts and water ingress.
7. Floors: how level the screed is; creaking or lifting floor coverings.

What if I see cracks?

Fine cracks in plaster are mostly superficial. Cracks in columns and beams, or ones that run diagonally or keep widening, need a structural engineer's opinion before any renovation.

Does everything have to be replaced?

No. What is sound is kept; but replacing old services while the walls and floors are open is always cheaper than doing it later.

Who does the check?

During the survey the renovation team looks at the general condition; the electrician and plumber look at their own areas. Erdağ Yapı does this check free of charge in its apartment renovation survey and writes its findings into the quote.