Questions tagged [old-house]
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103
questions
2
votes
1answer
28 views
Fixing leak in tub overflow with old style drain closer
I couldn't find any examples of my tub drain lever online, so I can't figure out how to remove it. The overflow is leaking, so I'd like to open it up and see what the gasket is like to replace it. On ...
0
votes
3answers
68 views
What is the best way to fix broken OLD plaster in a very old house? [closed]
I've recently bought a house which was built in the 1900s. The entire plaster walls are covered with wallpapers. First time home buyer mistake, our first project is to remove the wallpaper and paint ...
1
vote
0answers
64 views
How to repair a brass toilet flange connected to a lead pipe
I went to replace a toilet recently and I found the following situation (images below):
The toilet flange was brass and connected to a lead pipe
The brass flange had a crack in it, possibly because
A ...
1
vote
2answers
124 views
How to take a house apart in sections to move?
I live in NC and looking for a free house to move and relocate. First, does anyone know of or how to find one within reasonable distance and second, is it possible to move one in smaller sections ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Plaster and Wire Mesh - dating?
My home dates to the 1890s. It has clearly been through many renovations over the years before I owned it. The walls in my living room have defied all stud finders: normal ones find nothing, magnetic ...
1
vote
2answers
63 views
Musty Smell in slab and block house
As my title states, I have a house that is on a slab and the exterior and most interior walls are block and covered with plaster. Since we bought the house we have noticed a musty smell that we ...
0
votes
2answers
84 views
ideas for using a closed stair
This is a 300 years old building split into multiple apartments in the middle of Lisbon. When doing some cleaning (removing some cover tables), what supposed to be a "small" cubicle/closet turns out ...
1
vote
1answer
118 views
Ceiling fan mounting, old home, worried I did it wrong
This weekend, I replaced a non-functioning ceiling fan in our home with a new one. The home is over 100 years old. When I replaced the fan, I found what is pictured in the attached image. It seems to ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Who manufactured this shower diverter valve?
I am replacing the diverter valve in a 1963 residential shower and wondering if anyone knows the make and model from the maker's marks on this hardware?
I see imprinted: P-P, C.W., and 18. The ...
5
votes
1answer
157 views
What is this panel in basement wall of 1940s house?
When I removed a cabinet from our basement wall today I discovered the panel in the photo below. The panel is metal, approximately 2 ft wide and 1 ft high. It has five 1.5 inch holes in it, each one ...
2
votes
1answer
307 views
Pendant light cord too long
How would you shorten a pendant lamp's electrical cable? It's a USA home from the 1920s.
The question has been asked before, but wrapping an electrical cable around a metal caribeaner seems dangerous....
1
vote
1answer
73 views
What can be done to mitigate risk when buying a very old home? [closed]
Im looking to buy a house and I have found a house that I really like and want to buy. There are a couple issues though. While the house cosmetically looks awesome because it has been entirely ...
0
votes
3answers
97 views
Is it really a good idea to buy an old house which needs some rework? [closed]
Long ago I read somewhere that it is best to buy houses that need some amount of rework rather than those in tip-top condition. The reasons given were:
There is less competition from other buyers so ...
0
votes
1answer
74 views
Once a person has bought a house (not new build) what are things to be done to maintain the house? [closed]
When we buy a car, we have to check its oil and coolant level and periodically change its filters. Different parts of the car need to be changed as the car ages since some parts have longer lifespan ...
5
votes
3answers
199 views
Using new lumber in an old wall with larger lumber dimensions
I am trying to widen the doorway to a room in a house that was build in 1905. the framing is 16 on center, however the lumber is wider than a standard 2x4. by about a 1/2 inch. (the actual dimensions ...
0
votes
1answer
302 views
Electrical tape vs Wago connector
I live in Argentina where everyone use tape and nobody know Wago connectors.
Should I use tape or Wago for my house? Wago can be purchased on Ebay, not in local shops.
0
votes
0answers
42 views
Blocking Arizona Termites
So, the termites in Arizona live in the ground, and they make mud tunnels up the side of the foundation of a house to get into the wood. I was thinking, if I make a plastic lip which curls down, and ...
0
votes
1answer
78 views
What should you look for when buying a 100 year old home that has been renovated to look brand new? [closed]
I am looking to buy a 1900 house with detached garage that has been completely renovated and additions have been added to the house. However, what would be the things to look out for in such an old ...
2
votes
1answer
214 views
Safety when modifying old electrical work
I have a relatively old house, built in the 1950s. I am slowly updating it to have smart switches etc., but the existing electrical wiring is fairly haphazard. Just yesterday I replaced a dimmer ...
0
votes
3answers
59 views
Can I use separate circuits for Light / Ceiling fan combo for future backup power integration?
I am in the process of rewiring my 100 year old house.
I would like to use 14/3 wire from the breaker box to run 2 separate circuits, one side will be just lights, the other side will be just for ...
0
votes
2answers
246 views
Old house, no ground wire, hoping for protection of new computer?
So, I live in an older house. My current computer has happily plugged into a surge protector, which in turn plugged into a 3 prong adapter into the two pronged outlet for 8+ years. The surge ...
1
vote
0answers
95 views
Old electrical box - how to cover?
I'm replacing and old Rittenhouse doorbell transformer as part of a smart doorbell upgrade. My problem is that the screw spacing of the cover (of which the transformer is embedded) doesn't seem to ...
0
votes
1answer
400 views
Tiling over broken fireplace hearth
My flat is an old Glasgow tenement flat built around 1900.
When I bought the place, the fireplace had been badly covered.
I now want to do the fireplace up so removed the covering.
I am planning to:
...
3
votes
2answers
492 views
1730 House how to make Ceiling Level
We had a fire last year and had to remove our plaster ceilings. We’re left with beams that have all kinds of shims etc. that were used to level the lath. Every drywaller has had a different idea of ...
1
vote
0answers
49 views
What's this exterior wall treatment and how should I paint it?
I need to paint the exterior walls of this house, but I am not sure what is the material of the walls.
I know this type of houses came from Finland to to south of Argentina because they are excellent ...
3
votes
1answer
203 views
Is it okay to reuse Alumiconn connectors?
After having redone the aluminum-to-copper pigtails in my house's electrical outlets using AlumiConn connectors, I subsequently had to undo a few to debug a wiring problem. All I did is unscrew the ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Adding dedicate circuit to old panel
I want to add a dedicated circuit for a wall heater in the bathroom. Attached is a picture of my power panel. How do I tell if I have enough room to add to my existing panel? Housing is currently knob ...
5
votes
3answers
444 views
Mystery current on neutral wires coming into outlet box
In reworking outlets and switches in our 1960's California home to use AlumiConn connectors + copper pigtails where needed (instead of older wire nuts + Noalox), I came across a duplex wall box in the ...
0
votes
0answers
74 views
Can I use old cloth-jacketed wiring to power a new light?
I removed some wood paneling in a hallway closet and found this wire bundle between the studs. Is this electrical wires? Can I reuse this to install a light source for the closet?
4
votes
2answers
481 views
Two way door lock for thin door
I'm converting one of the rooms in my 1840 house into an office. The thing is I have 5 kids and need to be able to lock the door so I can have some level of quiet. I also don't want the kids tinkering ...
2
votes
1answer
249 views
Passing wire down through Exterior Wall
Replacing some old wiring with crumbling insulation. One of the wires passes down through an exterior wall from the attic, to an outlet on the second floor, and continues down to the first floor.
I ...
1
vote
2answers
295 views
Hardware for a barn/sliding door that cantilevers into free space when open
I've salvaged an old door from a neighbor's demolition to upgrade the door of my small laundry closet.
I thought it would be interesting to mount the door as a sliding barn door, both as a visual ...
0
votes
1answer
149 views
my house has old warped joists. Is joist blocking safe?
I purchased a house built in 1960 and like other people have mentioned the terrible bounce, I got the same exact situation.
I'm thinking of installing blocking to strengthen the floor.
The 7 joists ...
0
votes
1answer
244 views
Is joist blocking safe on these old warped joists?
I purchased a house built in 1960 and like other people have mentioned the terrible bounce, I got the same exact situation.
I'm thinking of installing blocking to strengthen the floor.
The 7 joists ...
1
vote
1answer
81 views
How old is my house?
Have purchased an older home in Corinth, MS (No. Mississippi) and found that ALL the walls are T&G on the inside with shiplap on the exterior (the exterior has been resided with vinyl which will ...
0
votes
1answer
309 views
No grounding wire in an old house?
My new house was built in 1966 and I've been told by the inspector and the electrician that put in the GFCI outlets that the meter and box are grounded but that no third wire was run through the house....
0
votes
2answers
127 views
Remove old light box with a stud and nut anchor
I read a post asking this question, but there is no answer for actually removing the box. I do want to remove the box to install a retrofit recessed LED light. My bungalow was built in 1952. All ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views
Trying to change out a ceiling fan need help… 5 wires
I'm in an old house. I removed and replaced 2 out of 3 with no problem. I get to the third and there are 5 wires: 2 black, 2 white/cream, and one bare copper wire. I think I have it hooked up right ...
0
votes
1answer
408 views
Is is okay to run 4" PVC drain pipe on the outside of a house?
I have to run 4" drain pipe for the washer that is on the second floor, but, the building being old and all, I wouldn't want to rip the floors, instead, I was thinking of running the drain on the ...
0
votes
1answer
75 views
Hanging heavy things on old walls. Running out of options. What would you do
Just moved in to an old victorian home and the wife wants shelves in the mud room. Now I know what you are thinking "Shelves?! Seriously?!", Just hear me out.
These are 6 foot shelves with 4 steel ...
1
vote
1answer
733 views
Old structure: 2X4 studs at 24'' on center
I have an old freestanding 2-car garage on my property that needs a lot of work. There are some major rot issues where the sills were sitting in water for a long time. Which brings me to the issue: ...
1
vote
0answers
54 views
Air brick in old Toronto home?
We have a house that was built in 1937 in Toronto. It is a double brick design. On one of the outside walls, I can see what appears to be a single-brick-sized vent and I don't know what its function ...
3
votes
1answer
140 views
New plaster over top of exposed horsehair plaster in Bathroom
I've taken wainscoting off of my bathroom wall that seems to have been around since the house was built (1900). Under one of the walls is an exposed horsehair plaster that was done right up against ...
19
votes
1answer
3k views
What is this balloon with “eyes” printed on it, hanging from the eave on this house?
I have seen this, or something very similar on various houses in the city I live in. It is rare enough to be remarkable, but common enough to make me think it is a "thing". Any ideas?
4
votes
2answers
146 views
Minimum ampacity for circuits in a home from 1964
I’m attempting to fact-check a seemingly very dubious claim from my landlord, but I’m having a great deal of trouble finding useful information on older electrical codes, especially in a form that I ...
1
vote
1answer
112 views
What kind of appliance(s) used to be here? [closed]
I'm remodeling a room in a fairly old house (~100 yrs), and I discovered a capped-off gas pipe behind some framing+drywall that had been hastily installed whenever this room had been converted into a ...
0
votes
2answers
727 views
Adapting 3/4 gas outlet to 1/2" appliance?
One of these things is not like the other. That's a 3/4 gas outlet and a gas dryer with a 1/2" fitting. What's the best approach to making them connect? The dryer is old so I'm a bit leery of trying ...
2
votes
3answers
973 views
What hard material is behind the plaster on interior walls in my 1920s apartment?
I moved into an old (c. 1920s) rental apartment building in the northeastern US (Philadelphia) and would like to hang pictures and secure some furniture.
I tried putting nails in several places ...
1
vote
0answers
165 views
bleeding radiator without access to the bleeder valve
I've got a cast iron radiator where the end with the bleeder valve is shoved up against a wall. Is there any other way to bleed a radiator? Supply and return pipes are at top and bottom of the ...
0
votes
2answers
151 views
If I want to expose the beams of my ceiling, is it sufficient to just install roofing insulation?
I own a house built in the 1930s. I live in San Francisco in the Bayview district where it’s fairly sunny similarly to the Mission District. This house is all lath and plaster and because of which I ...
