What to Know Before Restoring That Old Home

About the Author – Driving Back Roads we often see and photograph homes that could use some degree of restoration. The following article is a guest submission by Ray Flynn. He is a civil engineer who co-created Diy Guys together with his friend Brett Engle who is an architect. They also have an upcoming book “How to DIY Damn Near Everything” that aims to give others the courage and confidence to pursue DIY projects in their own homes. Nowadays, they’re also focused on projects that promote green living

Image via Unsplash

by Ray Flynn

If you like old houses and back roads, you’ll love Driving Backroads.

Old homes are full of charm. Every room has a story to tell and every bit of paint and spackle reflects the love and hard work invested over the years.

As the new owner of an old home, your challenge is making it your own while honoring the history and character of an older property. What should you know about renovating an old house and how can you balance historic details with modern trends?

3 things to know before renovating your old home

Taking the helm as the new owner of an old home is exciting and scary all at once. Old homes are known for their sturdy construction and unique details, but they also have a reputation for expensive problems.

  1. Common problems in old homes include aging electrical and mechanical systems, corroded plumbing, and hazardous building materials like lead paint or asbestos.
  2. When budgeting for renovations, reserve at least 20% for unexpected issues and start with the most important projects first.
  3. The right preparation makes project delays less stressful. Move non-essential items to storage and keep the rest in easy-access bins you can move from room to room as needed.

Image via Pexels

Top mistakes when renovating older properties

Newer isn’t always better. Here’s how to ensure renovations add to a property’s value, not detract from it.

  1. The biggest mistake homeowners make is failing to achieve a uniform style. Choose styles that match your home’s original construction, purchasing salvaged building materials and custom facsimiles as necessary.
  2. Don’t cut corners with cheap materials and chintzy reproductions. These lack the authenticity and quality workmanship buyers expect from older homes and can hurt a property’s appraisal value.
  3. Generally speaking, it’s better to restore than replace, especially when it comes to original features like windows, floors, and woodwork.

Image via Pexels

Should you DIY renovations in an old home?

DIY is a common strategy for saving money on renovations. Home improvement television shows make DIY look easy, but is it really?

  1. Old homes amplify the typical challenges of DIY home improvement like not knowing where to start, getting derailed by unexpected setbacks, and jumping in without understanding the full scope of a project.
  2. Even simple projects aren’t so simple due to old construction techniques, custom fixtures, and bygone building materials. Turn to this reading list for essential guidance on caring for an old home.
  3. Professional help is a better choice for most historic home renovations, but not all contractors have experience with restoring old homes. Seek referrals from other historic homeowners or your local historic preservation commission.

Owning an old home is a labor of love. While renovating an old home presents more challenges than newer properties, it’s also more rewarding. We hope you find these resources helpful as you steward your old home through the next stage of its history

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Posted in Backroads of Illinois, Backroads of Kentucky, Backroads of North Carolina, Backroads of Tennessee, Backroads of Virginia, Backroads of West Virginia | 2 Comments

Old Glory on the Back Roads of America

Old Glory in an abandoned farmhouse, Symsonia, Graves County, KY. (Please click on photo for larger image).

The Flag of the United States of America is, and has been, a symbol of freedom and strength, recognized worldwide. Countless men and women have fought and died to protect the values it represents, and sometimes the flag itself. It still stands strong this Fourth of July holiday.

Restored farmhouse, Pickaway, Monroe County, WV. (Please click on photo for larger image).
Statue of President Abraham Lincoln with Old Glory flying above, Hodgenville, LaRue County, KY. (Please click on photo for larger image).

Rural folks tend to be proud of their country. They still have the values of their ancestors. Its God, country and family. They still look after their neighbors, and keep their community strong. When the “Star-spangled Banner” plays at the Friday night ball game, they stand, take off their hats, and place their right hand over their hearts. It’s the American way.

I won’t go into a long history of the American Flag, or our country’s history. Not that it’s not worth repeating, but numerous books have been written and there is no way of covering even the basics, without writing volumes. Some have sadly disrespected the flag and our county. I won’t go into that either. This is not about them, or politics.

As I have driven around the back roads of the country, I have noticed that Americans like to show their pride by displaying Old Glory at their homes, barns and businesses. These photos were taken over the last couple of years in West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky.

Happy Independence Day, America!

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Posted in Backroads of Kentucky, Backroads of Virginia, Backroads of West Virginia | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Carpenter’s Grocery: A Real, Old-Fashioned General Store

Carpenter’s Grocery in Wythe County, VA., is a true old-fashioned country store. (Click on photo for larger image).

I saw the old country store on my right, as I drove by it on Route 100, just south of Barren Springs, Virginia, in Wythe County. I turned right on a narrow, single lane gravel road hoping it would take me to the store, rather than having to turn around. In a minute, or so, I was in front of Carpenter’s Grocery, and Sam Carpenter, who has owned the business since the early 1970s, was sitting in a padded chair on the porch. A fawn pug was taking a nap at his feet. I walked up the weather worn steps that had seen countless traffic over the years. Mr. Carpenter introduced himself and asked me to have a seat in a chair beside him. A country gentleman sitting in a chair on the other side of the porch told me it was Sam’s 90th birthday. I wished him a happy birthday and asked him if I could get his picture and a few shots of the store.

Sam Carpenter, owner of Carpenter’s Grocery (left), his pug, and myself on the porch of his grocery. (Photo by Debra Bell. Click on photo for larger image).
Customers leaving Carpenter’s Grocery as Sam Carpenter, the owner, sits in his chair on the porch, (Click on photo for larger image).

My wife, Debra, walked up and suggested that she get a picture of us both. I handed her my Leica, and she snapped a picture, while we were discussing how so many things were better in the old days. After a while. I got up and wandered into the store. I flicked on a set of light switches on my left, when I walked in the door. Suddenly, a country store from a time gone by became visible. The products were modern, of course: potato chips, sodas, various snacks, and beer in a cooler in the back. There was an old fashioned meat cooler and butcher scales. A wood, or coal burning stove was at the back of the store, with several chairs nestled around it. A wanted poster of Jesse James was framed, and said to be the real deal.

And pugs, there were pugs wherever you looked. One novelty sign noted, “Warning! Overly Affectionate Pug on Duty.” There were ceramic pug figurines, photos, and even a wood burned plaque showing a pug. Daisy, our pug, was in the truck, and my wife decided to get her and introduce her to Mr. Carpenter’s dog. Daisy walked up, checked out the fawn pug and both decided that they would rather be napping.

Sam Carpenter at the door of his 200 year old country store. (Click on photo for larger image).
There’s a lot of history to see behind the counter at Carpenter’s Grocery. (Click on photo for larger image.).

After a conversation about pugs, we sat and talked mainly about the past, and how many things were better in days gone by. Mr. Carpenter, an ex-coal miner, explained that coal dug and carried out from from deep shafts, is of a higher quality and burns better than coal from strip mines. He also mentioned that he didn’t care for electric cars and recounted that a someone in the area had bought one and had to rid of it because it wasn’t what they expected. He noted that the coal mining jobs are gone, and the world is changing, and not necessarily for the better

The store, over its 200 year history had served its community as a general store, mine company store, post office, and doctor’s office, among other callings. I got up from my chair on the porch, again wished Mr Carpenter a happy 90th birthday, snapped a few more pictures, and got back on the road. I hope to visit again, soon.

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Posted in Backroads of Virginia | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments