What to expect when buying a house built in the late 1950's?

[Marian Smith]

Hi.  Anybody have a few tips on what to expect or look out for with late 1950's houses.  The electric supply box looks normal.  The attic is insulated but I don't know what to expect with the walls.  The single pane wood windows are painted shut.  Is it alot different than a 1970's home?  What about plumbing?  Thanks in advance.

[Bill Gulley]

You can expect asbestos in flooring and insulated heating ducts, it may be in the insulation as well. Usually, you'll have rock wool insulation, newer insulation laid on top. Asbestos shingles were used in roofing and siding as well. Check any old gas flue as well. Asbestos was used in many things, even sheetrock, wall paper glue, so have it inspected.

Lead paint can be in the original painted surfaces, inside and out.

I believe it's an issue when lead paint is chipped or peeling. If you are required to remove such matters it can be very expensive, so check with your local building code office.

Other things that may be there;

Got a septic tank buried in the back yard? Not an issue unless it's still used

Odd size windows, means custom window replacement

Clay tile sewer lines could have been used, cracked, damaged lines can leak

Lead pipe water supply lines, won't kill you, I used them ever since

Wiring may not be three prong grounded lines, check behind the outlets.

Fuse boxes were used then, not breakers as today, but that may have been changed out, 60/80 amp service lines were common, utility company may have updated to 120 amp, in the 60's, may not be sufficient today so see if the service line in is 200 amp.

Electrical boxes can be smaller and metal, light switches and ceiling boxes, won't hang just any new ceiling fan from just any old boxes.

Check the bathroom electrical outlets near sinks and tubs, make sure they are grounded properly.

Old floor registers for return air and ducts, these could be abandon when upgraded and covered with carpet. Floor returns are usually in a hallway, walk with a heavy foot and you may find them. Ducts were usually cut into the baseboard and replacement will be difficult.

Central air was used but not common, check the furnace old ones can run forever but then die a sudden death, parts may not be available.

Look for cracks above doorways, an indication of foundation issues, binding doors and windows can indicate such issues too.

The 50's was the building boom, new materials and appliances and cheaper materials, lumber was good (better than today) but they got away from true dimensional sizes as are used today. Prior, you had true 2x4s some were oak and you may have it in the 50's but more pine was used. This will vary too by region and the builder.

All in all, you may have a solid house and most have been updated, the area will tell you a lot as to location and condition of the neighborhood. Building codes were adopted but standards have changed, overall construction was usually very good. Workers actually took pride in what they turned out, but not as much as prior decades, IMO.

Lead paint and asbestos are the main issues, so have it checked out. :)