Hi all, we are new homeowners and have a 5 month old. For her intended bedroom, we had old carpet removed to reveal hardwood underneath.

We suspect that there is lead trim all around the house, since it’s from 1917.

We don’t know if we should either:

• sand and refinish current hardwood floor (worried that will potentially unleash any lead dust already accumulated within the floor boards)
• put new carpet on the floor (that will contain anything already in the floorboards, but will also trap any new lead dust from trim).
• hire lead remediation company to completely remove baseboards, vacuum up any dust in floorboards, then either sand and refinish / cover with carpet

The floor installation people did not seem concerned at all about disturbing lead if we just refinish. That doesn’t put me at ease though. I just don’t know which is the safest option.

I'm trying to figure this out. I have old floors, painted, and I rent - so no stripping. The owner probably wouldn't mind us stripping and it would be awesome but it's expensive and a hassle when you want to live in the place (with kids and a pet!) while you strip.

And googling is of no help. What to use? All products are either for natural wood or laminate or lino. I'm dumbfounded. The only post i have found is from 1935 and it advises using skimmed milk and buffing afterwards 😀 I'm very confused! I have very hard water, and have so far used some dish soap and laundry vinegar in the washing water. Any thoughts?

I recently moved into a house that's around 100 years old. I wanted an idea of what the water is like, so I ordered a test from SimpleLab: it showed elevated levels of cadmium, lead, and chloroform. I'm wondering whether I should install a Point of Entry (POE) or Point of Use (POU) water filtration system.

I'm inclined to get the POE system, despite the higher cost, just to make sure that the water throughout the house is clean. However, from my limited knowledge, it seems that the contaminants I've found could come from corrosion of the pipes in my older house. If that's a possibility, would a POU system be a better call?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Most of the windows in my house are small and have wooden blinds mounted inside the frame. IMO these make the windows look even smaller, and the ones in my office/gaming room happened to be old and quite damaged.

I went back and forth on what kind of shades or drapery to replace them with, and ultimately went with motorized blinds from Lutron mounted above the window frame. My hope was that they would blend minimally into the wall while maximizing the view of the window and frame… and I think that was accomplished?

Might be a polarizing choice here since they’re not true-to-period, but I got spoiled having motorized blinds in my old townhouse. There’s just nothing quite as cozy in winter as stretching in bed, saying “good morning, Alexa” and hearing her recite today’s forecast while the fireplace turns on downstairs and every window in the house quietly rolls open. 😆

Does anyone have a recommendation for antique or vintage screws, ideally in bulk and located in the US?

I found The Vintage Screw Company, but they're located in the UK and shipping would be very pricey.

The previous owners of my 1830s house have been fantastic about keeping historically accurate hardware around, but some of the screws are modern and I would like to replace them with vintage screws (not just slotted head screws that sort of blend in).

First off, I am sorry, English is my second language. I recently inherited an apartment in an old apartment building from the 50s. There was always problem with water and dampness in the basement, however, the walls are dry as there is insulation that was done some years ago. However, the owners did not have enough money to do ground insulation so there is dampness and occasional water when it rains a lot from the ground. Is this a problem? The floor is permanently damp in that area. When it rains a lot, the floor gets a bit wet, then it evaporates. The people living here say it's fine, it has always been this way. I wonder if I should sell the apartment since no one wants to deal with it or if it's fine. I have no experience in this area, thanks

https://preview.redd.it/wdqoi3xwz78e1.jpg?width=1942&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=be3d0b1eb9b0406dd42fa24602ff1bd6a1977e1b

I got to wondering how common this was.

My house was built in 1892 and it was probably 2 bedrooms. At some point, a 'not properly framed wall' was installed, some closets added and it's now technically 5 bedrooms.

How much was added to your house before permits and informing the county was a thing?

Just polished all the wood and though it looked nice

As the text states, our boiler recently started flashing this light but it’s the weekend so I can’t get a tech out.

We’ve noticed overall our water hammering has been quieter , which should theoretically be a good thing , but given how cold it is where we live it is not normal for a day like today. So far the pressure and the water on the glass tube are ok but curious if anyone has dealt with this ? Really just concerned someone is going to tell us we need a new boiler … after we just welcomed twins one month ago ($$$)

And we can’t find a manual in the home or online *

Was thinking of painting my formal parlor yellow but I think this wallpaper hits a little better. I won't be doing the gold accents lol but I like the wallpaper

My wife and I have just had our offer accepted on a 1920 home. Inspections come next and we’ve been trolling through this sub looking for all the expertise and experience points.

The seller is replacing the roof and doing the foundations (it’s the first time they’ve been done in this home according to the contractor) before closing and we know how much of a lifesaver that’s going to be but what ELSE should we be pressing the inspection on? What should we have big questions and be sticklers about in these early stages?

We’re first time homeowners, in the PNW, handy with DIY and arts-minded but really just newbs with a drill and a dream. This home has clearly been re-muddled (love that term) over the years and it needs some real love but it’s not falling down around our ears, she has walls and floors and windows. We know it’s a big job to get it aesthetically up to snuff but we’re not even quite there yet. Any advice is welcome!

Edit: things I should have included :: we know there for sure lead based paint but have not had a full lead check and we know the exterior of the house has asbestos. We’re getting the house for a pretty good deal for the size and city we live in, especially taking into account the almost 60k worth of repairs that has to be done to sell.

Massive self dox, but this is actually pretty cool. In 1842 (6 years prior to Wisconsin becoming a state) Robert Wakely built a Greek revival style house on Point Bausse (now Nekoosa) of the Ouisconsin River (now Wisconsin River). This point (bausse being an old spelling of the French “bas” meaning low point or shallow point) was the furthest north navigable waters of the river and would become the heart of the lumber industry, and later the paper industry, in Wisconsin. The house was built 2 years after Wakely set up the first cable ferry crossing of the river, the west side of which is now my front yard. Prior to English settlement, the area was occupied by French traders who had commerce with the local Menominee people. Interesting side note: Oshkosh, Wisconsin is named for Menominee Chief Oshkosh who was born around 1795 at Point Bausse.

My house was built in 1906, the same year a second, larger ferry was put into operation a mile north of Point Bausse, 7 years prior to the first bridge crossing of the Wisconsin River being built in the area.

house was built in 1917, there’s a two button switch on the other side of the wall. this is the only one in the home (duplex). can’t figure out where this leads or why it’s been painted over to the point that you can’t push the button

Ready for the kids to visit.

Our front door is original to our 1900 craftsman bungalow, and had a single pane of beveled glass similar to this one from the 1910 Sears catalog.

I was shattered by the fire department in the process of saving our home from the flames.

Now we’re pondering, as long as we’re replacing the glass, why not stained glass? Please share ideas for inspiration for period appropriate stained glass front doors?

Ceiling lottery win. Not a porch, BR #2, I believe I'll find it's the entire house. Anyone stripped with sand or media blaster?