Today’s culture is obsessed with replacing things when they wear out. But if you look back through history, it was never like this before. In the past, people tried to repair things that broke, which is why so many homes had toolboxes and sewing machines.
Of course, if you don’t want to repair things, you don’t have to. Nobody is saying that you need to reuse things until they completely wear out.
But if you are the sort of person interested in reducing their material usage, then this post can help. We look at how you can restore the seemingly unfixable, allowing you to make do and mend!
Build A Maintenance Plan
The first step is to think more systematically about your home maintenance. Instead of just reacting when things go wrong and implementing stop-gap measures, you want policies that allow you to stay on top of the work and get things done with minimal effort.
Many people start by building a timetable of what they are going to do throughout the year. This could include things like getting the boiler serviced in January or clearing out the gutters in December. It’s something that can run for the whole year.
Focus On Sealants
During this phase, it is also helpful to focus on sealants. Replacing worn, damaged, or dry seals is helpful because it means that you can massively reduce the cost and effort involved overall.
Sealants are useful because they also make your repairs longer-lasting. Even if the underlying material is past its best, adding sealants is still useful and beneficial.
Use Salvaged Materials
Another approach is to use salvaged materials. If something really is worn through, you don’t always have to buy an entirely new unit. Instead, commandeering salvaged materials is usually fine.
Salvaged materials can come from all sorts of sources, and they are highly useful when deployed expertly. For example, you could use old bedsheets as upholstery.
If you can find vintage items primed for restoration, that’s ideal for an older home. These units tend to fit the environment more naturally and don’t look as out of place as some newer contemporary homeware options.
Patch Where Possible On Roofing And Masonry
If repairing roofing and masonry, ask whether you can patch repair instead of replacing the whole thing. Many people will remove their old roof and install a new one if they see any signs of damage. But most of the time, a total replacement is utterly unnecessary and doesn’t add anything.
Patch repairs tend to be much cheaper and deal with the structural weak points directly. For example, it makes more sense to replace missing tiles on a roof affected by high winds than it does to replace them all with fresh materials. That’s not always cost-effective.
When it comes to brickwork, repointing the joints with fresh mortar can be effective. While it won’t quite work as well as installing bricks fresh, it can be strong enough to give them a few extra years and protect them from damage, especially in vulnerable areas like the brickwork around chimneys.
Usually, it is best to ask your roofing contractor about tuckpointing. This technique provides additional life to your roof while, at the same time, protecting it from the elements.
Repair Old Pipes
You can also explore cast iron pipe repair. The idea here is to treat pipes and restore them before wholesale corrosion takes over, leading to irreparable damage.
Specialists can detect depreciation issues in old cast iron pipes by using a special camera. These go into the pipes and look for signs of damage from the inside, identifying any corrosion that might later create problems.
Cast iron piping is different from modern versions, which mostly use plastic. But it is also highly durable. Most pipes last from 50 to 100 years, meaning that they are meant to survive for the life of the house itself.
Companies using older methods often use trench-based repairs to maintain iron pipes. But, unfortunately, these are damaging to the surroundings and can take a long time to recover from.
Specialists in the field, though, use trenchless systems. These involve using clever cameras and other precision techniques to reduce the risk of damage to the surrounding landscaping.
Update Utilities Attractively
Replacing utilities is something you can do in a vintage home discreetly. A shiny new kitchen with stainless steel appliances probably won’t work all that well.
Fortunately, there are all sorts of opportunities to find attractive units that will work in your home and make it better. For example, you can now get electrical fixtures and fittings that look just like they did many years ago, with only slight changes.
Restore Windows
Restoring windows (instead of replacing them) is another option well worth considering. While wooden windows aren’t the most efficient option in the world, they are traditional and can look great if they receive the proper love and care.
Window restoration starts with the frames. You’ll need to sand down the exterior layer of wood, preferably with a high-powered sander, and then apply several base layers of paint. These products will prevent moisture infiltration and ensure that the windows can retain their structure long-term. Then, you add gloss on top.
If you notice any gaps around the edges between the window frame and the masonry, fill them. Plugging them up will prevent water from entering (which can cause damage over time), and keep your heating bills low by reducing drafts.
Sometimes, wooden windows are so damaged and weathered that you can’t replace them. In these situations, you might want to look at replacing them with vintage alternatives. These often use natural materials, making them a suitable alternative to UPVC.
Make More Of Your Original Features
If you own a vintage home, it is also a good idea to make more of your vintage features. Polishing these and brightening them up allows you to make your property appear more period.
For example, start by checking the flooring. Usually, if it is a high-quality hardwood installed in the last 100 years, you can rescue it (if it is looking worse for wear). These days, there are wood floor restoration experts who can help you get it looking its best again with advanced treatments, sanding, and re-coating.
Also, look at any built-in cabinetry or furniture. Making this look its best can also help you fix up a vintage home while repairing instead of replacing. The finish you get is often stunning and gives your property a unique character not experienced anywhere else.
If you can keep the original light fittings and door knobs, that can add to the character and period of the home even more. These elements create an incredible atmosphere, allowing you to make the most of your property’s age.
Use Period Materials
Finally, it helps to use period materials in any repair work. While fusions of old and new can work, they more often than not, wind up looking like a strange patchwork of ideas.
Finding true period materials is challenging, but they may be available at auctions or salvage yards. People looking to get rid of old material will often sell it in bulk to get better value for money.
You can go to the original manufacturer and ask them if they are still producing the material type you want. Sometimes they have legacy products they maintain, though this is rare.
If you can’t get hold of the originals, consider using custom reproductions. These can look very similar to the original, if not the same.
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Whether she is researching the latest trends in home decor, life-changing destination getaways, or the best way to maintain your finances, Dewey takes pride in leaving no stone unturned. She is passionate about distilling and delivering high-quality information that you can use to upgrade your life.
