12 valuable tips before renovating an old house

Renovating an old house may seem like a cheaper option than demolishing it and building a new one. However, that is not always the case. It is important to carefully consider every step of renovating an old house so that it pays off. In this article you will find valuable tips and inspiration that we have gathered while renovating and repairing old houses.

What to sort out before renovating an old house

Many experts will tell you that building a new house is simpler than renovating an old one. And they are partly right. A new house on a greenfield site using modern technology can easily be built within 3 months, but what if we have decided, for whatever reason, to repair an old house? What should we watch out for before renovation?

Careful planning

Careful planning of the whole process is more important than the renovation itself. We must realise that, unlike a new build, an older house cannot be shaped to our own vision; instead we have to adapt to the original structures. This can often be limiting.

Thorough preparation includes establishing the actual condition of the house, preparing a study, preparing a design, calculating the costs of materials and labour, and carefully assessing our financial situation. Do not forget to apply for a building permit if you are going to make more significant alterations and interventions to the house.

Finances

We often come across the view that renovation is less financially demanding than a new build. This can often be a mistake. Especially in cases where we come across hidden defects we had not reckoned with. Hidden defects may include, for example, damp, which is mentioned below.

A common case is roof renovation, where we try to make full use of the loft as a living space. However, a new floor and thermal insulation will lower the ceiling. As a result, the roof has to be raised by at least a metre, which requires not only more work but above all higher material costs. That is why you need a sufficient financial reserve so that you are not caught off guard. It is equally important to carefully calculate all the building work and materials. Ideally, you will meet the conditions for a mortgage and have a sufficient financial cushion before the renovation even begins.

Let’s find a building expert

This applies especially if we have no experience with renovating an old house. Every step needs to be carefully considered and planned. An experienced civil engineer will help us with this by setting out the individual construction steps. They will advise us on how to divide the work into several stages, prepare the project documentation for us and arrange the building permit. They will also advise us if we want to make changes to load-bearing walls.

A reliable building firm

The key is to be satisfied with the building firm right from the start. Communication and a helpful approach will tell us a great deal. So will individual building works agreed in advance, a clearly set, fair price for labour and materials, and terms that benefit both sides.

Damp

Most old houses are damp. The cause may be inadequate waterproofing, a change in the groundwater level, damaged sewerage or a leaking roof. Damp usually shows in the lower part of the house, where the wall is in direct contact with the ground. The result is mould, rotting wood, falling plaster and poor thermal insulation. This problem can make your life considerably unpleasant and unfortunately it is quite common in Czech houses.

So before we start renovating anything, we must first get rid of the damp. There are dozens of causes of damp and just as many solutions. A lot depends on whether you have rising damp or thermal bridges causing water to condense on the walls. The ideal method is ventilation channels. They work by ventilating the structure with air. They are always based on two openings which, by drawing air in and expelling it, create a draught.

Other options include drilled holes injected with a special fluid and various interior coatings. In some cases, insulating the house also helps.

Internal services

In old houses we may come across rusty water pipes or cracked sewer pipes. Electricity runs through aluminium wiring, which heats up due to the current and then becomes brittle. This can lead to its gradual breakdown. A fire can then easily break out. Today’s standards no longer allow conductors with an aluminium core. They are being replaced with copper, which is more durable.

During renovation, therefore, all the wiring and pipework needs to be replaced. At least this gives us the advantage of being able to place the kitchen units, bathroom and toilet in different rooms that suit us better.

Replacing windows

Old houses are often fitted with very old windows. Most heat escapes through their poor insulation. That is why replacing them is essential. Any major house renovation starts with replacing the windows, and it is the primary step towards insulating the façade. When choosing the material for new windows, we take into account not only cost but also personal preferences.

Plastic windows are undoubtedly among the most popular thanks to their price and low maintenance. We can choose them in white or brown. Wooden windows are more expensive, but unrivalled in terms of quality. They also look pleasant and enhance the design character of the whole building. Another option is aluminium windows, whose advantages are a long service life and very easy maintenance. Ideally, entrust the replacement of windows during renovation to a company that not only installs the windows but also manufactures them. This way you ensure not only high quality but also a fast response to any complaints.

When choosing windows, we take into account energy savings and protection against noise and dust. These factors are influenced by the type of glazing and high-quality installation. Throughout the house renovation, it is important to ventilate because of the increased humidity in the house.

Roof renovation

Renovating an old house is impossible without a well-thought-out roof repair. Here we must carefully consider whether only the roof covering needs replacing or the entire roof structure. Naturally, the more work done on the roof, the greater the demands in terms of time, labour and money. In the long term, however, a proper roof renovation will definitely pay off.

If we decide to convert a previously unused loft into a living room and insulate the roof, we must follow a few basic rules. Above all, waterproofing membranes are an essential part of an insulated roof covering. They keep out water from above. Then there are vapour barriers, which prevent indoor moisture from damaging the roof covering. Roof structures are designed to allow air to flow, carrying moisture away from the roof covering.

The choice of roof covering depends on the overall look of the house. Fortunately, we can choose from a wide range of colours, shapes and materials. If we are building a house in a heritage conservation area, the choice of roof covering is in the hands of the heritage authorities. The same applies to the colour of the façade and the style of the windows.

Floors

An experienced expert will assess whether our floor needs just a few minor surface repairs or whether a more extensive floor renovation will be required. If we decide on underfloor heating, we cannot avoid removing all the tiles, parquet and linoleum.

If we want the house renovation to be done properly, we will start it “from the floor up”. First of all, we must not forget to choose good-quality thermal insulation. It prevents unnecessary heat loss and keeps your feet warm. Waterproofing (which is missing in old houses), in turn, stops ground moisture from entering the house through the floor.

To insulate the floor on the ground floor, polystyrene floor boards are mainly used. Mineral wool is most often used in the floors between storeys, as it dampens noise from the upper floor.

Heating

Unless we work directly in the trade (plumbers, heating engineers), the best thing to do is to consult an expert directly. There are quite a few options for renovating heating and the procedures vary.

The primary heat source is considered to be a heat pump, a boiler, a fireplace or a wood-burning stove. If we want to change the main heat source, we will consider the installation options according to the type, size and connection to the existing hot-water heating system.

For example, electric heating currently ranks as the most expensive way of heating. It is best suited to energy-efficient houses with low heat loss.

Solid fuel heating (wood, coal), on the other hand, is among the cheapest options.

Insulation

First of all, it is important to consider whether insulating the façade is really necessary. Poorly installed house insulation can result in water condensation, mould growth and high humidity in the house. Polystyrene on the walls will stop the house from breathing and harmful substances will start to build up inside. This can have a negative effect on human health.

Mineral wool is a suitable insulation material when renovating an old house. It offers good water vapour permeability, UV resistance, non-combustibility and sound absorption. The wool is bonded to a dry, clean surface. For bonding, use the specified adhesives, which ensure a firm bond to the substrate. Never bond mineral wool with expanding foam, which is intended for polystyrene. First apply a thin layer of adhesive to the board, then apply a thicker layer on top of it. For anchoring, use plate dowels with a metal pin and a mineral cap. Wear gloves, safety goggles and long sleeves when applying it, so the wool does not come into contact with your skin.

Pay attention to safety when working at height. For some renovation work, it may be a good idea to hire an aerial work platform. If so, choose a company that will not only supply the platform but also help you choose the right one and, if needed, provide professional training.

Partition walls

What is the difference between a load-bearing wall and a partition wall? A load-bearing wall is a wall that carries more than its own weight. It is part of the whole structural system and, in multi-storey houses, it may carry the weight of walls in the same position on the upper floors. Partition walls divide a space visually, act as sound insulation and separate areas thermally.  They have no effect on the house’s structural system, so removing them should not cause any problems. However, before we start demolishing partition walls, we should find out the current condition of the house through an expert assessment by a structural engineer. If we intervene in load-bearing walls, simply notifying the authorities will not be enough, and we will need a building permit from the relevant building authority.

The cost of removing partition walls must include the demolition work, removal of the rubble and materials for building the new walls.

And what should partition walls be built from? Plasterboard partition walls are common. This option is cheap and quick. However, plasterboard partition walls are not very strong and they carry noise. Another option is solid materials such as bricks or aerated concrete. These partition walls are strong and stable, and they provide good thermal and sound insulation. With these, you need to cut channels for the electrics and water pipes, which is quite laborious.