OCR Text |
Show Check Closely On Structure Of Old House Before buying an old house, make sure it is structurally sound. The foundation, the roof and the framing should be checked closely to determine whether expensive repairs would be necessary. Settling of a foundation usually can be detected by plaster cracks in interior walls. Most foundations founda-tions will have settled slightly, but this is not serious provided the settling stopped after a few years. Big new plaster cracks, however, how-ever, indicate that the settling has not stopped. Uneven floors, sticking stick-ing doors and sagging door frames are other signs of severe foundation founda-tion weakness. From Within the basement, check the foundation walls for cracks and for dampness. damp-ness. An easy way to inspect the roof Is to examine the underside of the roof deck. If the roof leaks, there probably will be water stains on the deck sheathing. Water marks and paint blisters on ceilings and walls sometimes are caused by a leaky roof, too. If the roof deck is sound, the condition of the roofing material on an old house is not of prime importance, because reroofing is not expensive. Asphalt shingles, which also add the new charm of color to an old dwelling, ordinarily ordi-narily can be used for reroofing without removing the worn covering. cov-ering. When inspecting , the framing, look first at the joists. Light joists indicate the framing is flimsy throughout the house. Check sills for termites and "dry rot." Make sure framing is nailed properly. This can be checked in the basement. If the cross braces between joists are nailed solidly, is usually can be assumed that nailing in other parts of t'- ise lcn ia fiAtiofAotoxv |