Every year, the popularity of suburban housing is growing steadily, which makes a huge number of urban residents with an average enough to buy old village houses and repair them on their own. You can easily find photo and video lessons on the Internet to repair a house in a village with your own hands. In this article we will try to reflect the main stages. It is worth noting that such a house is not only much cheaper than a new building, but with proper care and reconstruction, it can stand for more than a decade.

And how to properly repair a house in a village with your own hands, photos can be easily found on the Internet.

A little about the history of construction and operation of wooden houses

Our ancestors have always believed that the most suitable for living is precisely wooden house... This is due to the fact that wood is a unique natural material that can pass air and at the same time perfectly retain heat inside the room itself. In addition, houses built of wood have a kind of energy that persists for a long time and has a beneficial effect on human health.
If you return to the question of repairs, then inviting a specialist is a rather expensive undertaking that not every person is able to afford, so you have to take up the tools on your own. It is important to note that if a man has at least basic ability to control a tool, then, using some advice, it will be enough for him to simply repair an old wooden house on his own.
Unlike a stone or concrete structure, a wooden house is a kind of living organism that can independently tell its owners about its condition. This is done through various creaks and crackles that you need to learn to listen to. They arise due to the characteristics of the wood, which is subject to decay very sensitive to moisture and temperature fluctuations. However, even a very old wooden structure can be repaired by yourself.

The most frequent breakdowns of such buildings are dilapidated porch, leaky roof, base of the house and front door... That is why, before performing any actions, it is necessary to thoroughly check the entire structure, finding places that require repair, and determining the scope of future restoration work.

What is the best way to repair the foundation of a wooden residential building?

The most laborious process of the entire restoration is considered to be precisely foundation repair... If, upon a thorough study, it became clear that the house requires a complete replacement of the wooden base, then the first thing to do is to raise the corners by using a lift. Only after carrying out such manipulations is further replacement of not only the base itself, but also the entire foundation of the house. As for the latter, it is better to do it in the classical manner, that is, to fill it with concrete.

Overhaul of a wooden roof

A distinctive feature of any wooden house is roof, executed under a certain slope. She can beat either hipped or gable. In addition, if an attic is additionally equipped on the roof, then it is customary to call it an attic. All of the above features must be taken into account when carrying out a major overhaul of a house.
The first thing to pay attention to when roof overlap, so this is to ensure that the tree is necessarily dry. Otherwise, it will shift after the completion of the reconstruction. First of all, the extreme rafters are erected, between which intermediate ones are installed. In order for the roof subsequently to be as flat and incredibly stable as possible, all the upper parts of the rafters are located strictly at the same level.
If we talk about the coating itself, then it is for a wooden house that soft tiles or ondulin are most often used, in other words, a lightweight roof. It is mounted directly after installing and securing the rafters with special ties. It is also worth noting that the distance between the installed rafters should not exceed 60 centimeters.

Choosing a roof for a house in a village.

With regard to the choice, namely soft roof, then it is produced due to several factors. For example, a long service life, aesthetic appearance, ease of installation and low weight. It is the combination of these characteristics that explains this choice. In addition, even one person can handle the installation of this roof, which is also very important when making an independent repair. And the price of such material is acceptable.
Concerning Nulaina or Ondulina, then asbestos is included in the composition of these materials, as in slate. It is thanks to the latter that the distinctive feature of such a roof is durability and flexibility. Also, outwardly, it is very similar to the already mentioned slate. Officially, manufacturers give more than twenty years of warranty, but with proper care and proper installation, such a roof can last for about fifty years.
An important element of correct installation is preliminary lathing, which is made either of wood or metal. This is a very laborious process that requires appropriate qualifications and skills, which must be approached with all seriousness and responsibility.

Repair of floors, doors and windows of a house in the village.

Do-it-yourself house repair in the village and interior decoration, as in the photo, is done gradually and thoughtfully. Its final stage is considered to be the restoration or complete replacement of floors, doors and windows. It should be noted that the replacement of these elements is mandatory in almost every old wooden house. These activities can be carried out independently. For this, first of all, it is necessary to determine is the box lopsided buildings. The level will help to cope with this task. If there are some violations, then they are corrected by using a pry bar and a nail puller. After carrying out all the necessary manipulations frames are installed in their original places. If they are completely unusable, then it is best to order new ones. In this case, the craftsmen will come, make all the necessary measurements on their own and make windows of the appropriate size using them.
If there is a need to conduct floor replacements, the first step is to remove the floorboards and check the condition lag... They are also leveled with a level, brick posts or wooden blocks.
All rotten boards are replaced with new ones, which are pre-purchased on any construction market. This is the final stage of construction, which requires a rigorous approach. Keep in mind that do-it-yourself photo and video renovation of a house in the village should be in strict accordance with the production technology of the work. It is also worth noting that if the house is planned to be used in winter, then before the implementation of the new flooring you need insulate the floor... To do this, first a rough version is laid using cheap wood, which is carefully treated with an antiseptic, then an air cushion is left to save heat, and the boards selected for the floor are placed.

Instructional video

Do-it-yourself wooden house renovation is a fairly simple task, after completing which you will get a small oasis that hides you from the bustle of the city. Sounds tempting? then let's get started.

And to help such enthusiasts, we wrote this article, which reveals some of the nuances and gives advice on how to make a major overhaul of a wooden house.

The advantages of a wooden house

Let's start by identifying a number of advantages:

• durability;
• beautiful appearance;
• good heat saving characteristics;
• excellent ventilation;
• maintaining constant humidity inside the house.

In addition, the materials used in the construction of such a house are natural and economical.

Reasons for the repair

• Change of rotten log crowns.
• Cracks that went horizontally along the main logs.
• Required, which are located under the window openings.
• Replacement of clearly damaged rafters.

Reconstruction of walls

Quite often, the replacement of logs is required, which perform the functions of the lower crown, floor beams and floor. When replacing the logs of the crown, the house does not have to be raised, you can limit yourself to disassembling the top.

The procedure without disassembling the foundation will require lifting the house on jacks.

Note! It is not recommended to raise the house too high; this should be done gradually in several steps. In doing so, we advise you to remove the window and door frames. Figure 1 shows how to position the crown logs correctly.

Figure 1. Arrangement of the crowns

• 1) the first log of the crown;
• 2) the second log of the crown;
• 3–8) logs of the crowns of privates.

The diagram clearly shows that the first log should be located in the masonry adjacent to the foundation in almost half the diameter, the second log should be also or slightly smaller. The ends of the indicated logs should not be in the masonry, otherwise they may start to rot.

The walls that are under the windows can be changed in two ways: the usual or with the setting of racks. The scheme for laying logs under the windows in the usual way is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Scheme of replacing logs under the window in the usual way

Figure 3 shows a diagram of replacing logs under a window using racks. The racks connect the ends of the logs that have already become old. New parts of the logs are inserted, and it is advised to caulk the dilapidated places. After that, you can assemble the box.

Figure 3. Scheme of replacing logs under a window using stanchions

If several crowns need to be replaced, part of the house must be hung. How to do this is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4. Using struts and clamping when hanging a wall

1. washer;
2. bolt;
3. squeeze;
4. brace;
5. bracket.

You can lower the house using levers or wedges.

Kitchen arrangement

Kitchen interier

The kitchen is an integral part of the house, requiring a special approach to reconstruction.

As a rule, a kitchen has two parts: a dining room and a working one. They can be connected to each other or be in different rooms.

Finishing

Renovation of a kitchen in a wooden house begins with finishing. For this, materials are selected that are suitable in color and texture to the design conceived in advance.

The ceilings can be painted or stretched, or they can even be decorated in country style by equipping them with decorative beams. It is better to leave the walls wooden and varnished.

Style question

Such a house allows you to create a special style, this applies not only to furniture, but also to individual decorative elements.

Bathroom decoration

Bathroom

Nowadays, any home has all the amenities, including a bathroom..

When starting repairs in a wooden house in a bathroom, remember that it is necessary to fit all the necessary communications into this room. High-quality sewerage is essential.

The bathroom floor must have good waterproofing. Floor tiles are considered the ideal coating. It can be laid out on a concrete screed or drywall.

Let's note the moment of waterproofing in the bathroom. It will not be able to fully function without high-quality waterproofing of the foundation. Bathroom waterproofing is carried out in a comprehensive manner and protects all surfaces of the room.

Ceiling decoration

In the photo, the restoration of the ceiling

Not only the most popular, but also a very beautiful material for finishing the ceiling is wood. This finish is natural, fits into the interior and creates its own special atmosphere in which harmony is felt.

In a wooden house - the work is not too hard, but painstaking.

Among the accepted options for modern finishing, plastering is not forgotten. But if you are not in the mood to mess around with solutions, it is quite possible. Price - from 120 rubles. per sheet.

Repairing wooden houses requires strength and patience, but the result will certainly delight you.

Summing up

We hope our article was useful to you. In order to more accurately understand the technological and practical issue, our website contains detailed photo and video instructions, in which you will find useful information on this issue.

Photo gallery

Few of the city dwellers do not dream of their own country house. Housing outside the metropolis is clean air, nature, space, fruits from your own garden.

But not everything is so rosy. Buying a new house or building what is called from scratch is very expensive. Here it is just right to think about another way, because for quite little money you can buy dilapidated housing and restore it.

Repairing a wooden house is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance, and certainly not as expensive as starting a full-fledged construction project.

House condition analysis

Advertisements for the sale of a wooden house can be found all the time. Most of these are buildings of venerable age, built 50 or more years ago. It just so happened that it was then, half a century ago, in an era of shortage of everything, including building materials, that houses were often built of wood.

The age of the building is a problem, but you should not despair in advance, even if at a cursory glance it seems that the house is really dilapidated, it is easier to demolish it than to restore it, in reality everything may not be so gloomy. This is especially true for log buildings. A log is a surprisingly durable, reliable material. It is worth noting that a high-quality repair of a log house of a wooden house with your own hands will allow you to extend the life of the building for more than one decade.

That is exactly how, before making the final purchase decision, it is worth going to the site, carefully inspecting the building, and identifying its problem areas. If the house is really beyond repair, it doesn't matter. There are many who want to sell such real estate.

A wooden house has its own specifics, there are a number of essential details that you should pay attention to when buying:

• appearance of the foundation;
• the condition of the crown logs;
• damage to walls;
• quality of windows, doors;
• reliability of interfloor floors;
• condition of the floor;
• the integrity of the roof;
• ceiling condition;
• presence and type of porch;
• condition of intra-house communications.

You need to inspect the house carefully, paying attention to every detail. At the same time, do not get hung up on trifles, for example, torn wallpaper or cracked window frames. In any case, the finishing will have to be updated, and in case of repair it will hardly be possible to do without replacing the windows.

Foundation restoration

The most important part of any structure is the foundation. It is on its condition that the durability and reliability of the building as a whole depend. The foundation of the old wooden house is probably in a deplorable state, and it is possible that the house was built without it at all. Restoring the foundation is exactly what you need to start repair work with, otherwise accidents are possible up to the complete collapse of the building.

In most cases, restoring the foundation of a wooden house will require raising the entire building. For these purposes, strong beams are put under the box, several jacks are used.

Note! The rise of the building should be preceded by a detailed inspection of the condition of the walls; it may be necessary to disassemble the most damaged areas before starting the repair.

If the foundation is only slightly cracked or sagged, it can be repaired using concrete mortar. It is enough to install the formwork, pour concrete, reinforcing it with metal rods. If the basement is partially destroyed, it can be reconstructed using brick, stone or cinder blocks.

A completely destroyed or missing foundation will have to be rebuilt. A good solution for a medium-sized home is to use piles. It is possible to make it more reliable, to distribute the weight of the building over a large area, by creating a shallow strip foundation between the piles.

The renewed or re-created foundation must be allowed to stand. It will be possible to lower the building only after the concrete has completely hardened.

Wall repair

The most vulnerable part of the wall is the crown logs. It is in them that cracks most often appear, the wood in the lower part of the structure is most susceptible to dampness, as a result, to decay, the tree loses its properties, breaks under the weight of the structure. If the condition of the lower logs is of concern, they should be replaced.

The repair can be approached literally from two sides. You can completely disassemble the house, change the lower logs and reassemble. This method will take a long time, but it has an undeniable advantage. The work does not require special equipment, in addition, during the disassembly, the condition of all parts of the house, without exception, will be checked, and the damaged fragments of the walls will be replaced.

Another option will take less time, but its implementation will require special equipment and skills. In this case, the lower logs are changed during the restoration of the foundation. Raise the blockhouse, remove the lower logs. The foundation is being repaired, a new crown is assembled on it, the box of the house is lowered onto it.

Advice! When choosing a material for the crown, you should not try to save money, it must be reliable and durable wood.

Larch is great. It is resistant to moisture, durable, but difficult to process.

Parts of the walls that have rotted or infected with insects are also changed. If the blockhouse is completely disassembled, this is not a problem - the logs are changed during assembly. If the task is to repair a building without completely dismantling it, you can use a chainsaw to cut out damaged areas. You need to cut at an angle to ensure the reliability of the subsequent connection and to simplify your work.

Roof repair

The roof of the old building will probably have to be completely redone. It doesn't matter what it was covered with, if the building has served for half a century or more, the material is guaranteed to lose its properties. The best repair option, unless we are talking about the restoration of a wooden house of historical value, would be a complete replacement of the roof using modern roofing materials.

It is possible to work on the roof only after the issues of the reliability of the foundation have been resolved, and the load-bearing walls have been fully restored. The work should start by climbing into the attic, checking the condition of the rafters and battens. These structural elements do not experience excessive stress, but if the roof leaks, moisture could render them unusable.

Replacement of doors and windows

In almost one hundred percent of cases, the renovation of an old wooden house will include the replacement of windows and doors. Surely, over the long years of operation, the frames have fallen into disrepair, and the size of the window itself is unlikely to suit a modern person. It will be useful to consider the option of increasing the size of the window even at the stage of wall repair. This will make it possible to let in more light into the premises, giving the old building the look of a modern building.

Such alteration is not particularly difficult, one of the significant advantages of wooden buildings is the simplicity of redevelopment, it is enough to work with a saw a little - and the building will take on a new look, modern windows.

Repair of floors

The old floor of a log house, even masterfully made with high quality materials, will also have to be replaced. Squeaky floorboards are less evil that can lurk in an old wooden building. Moisture over the long years of operation has done its job, the boards are probably rotten and can break at any time. The old floor will need to be removed completely. This applies not only to the floorboards, but also to the entire supporting system.

Before making a new floor, you need to ensure maximum protection against moisture. A wooden house is very picky about waterproofing. In addition, it is important not to forget to treat the logs and floorboards with an antiseptic during repairs, this will ensure the longevity of the building and protect it from pests.

Interior decoration and thermal insulation

How and what the interior will be decorated with depends entirely on the taste and capabilities of the owners. A significant advantage of wood construction is a wide range of finishes. Depending on the condition of the internal walls, they can be cleaned and varnished, they can be upholstered with any sheet material and painted, a beautiful and unique interior can be created using lining, wooden or plastic panels.

In addition to beauty, it will be useful to think about preserving heat, no one will like spending money on heating, while freezing. There are a lot of options for insulating a wooden house, the simplest is to lay a layer of mineral wool between the wall and the interior decoration.

Heating a country house

It is hardly surprising if the old, cracked stove in the corner, which is not only inconvenient, but also dangerous, is used as a source of heat in the purchased house. You have to do something about this. The ideal option is to connect to a gas supply. It is expensive, but convenient and safe.

Of course, in this case, you will have to buy a boiler, pipes, radiators, pay for the creation of the project. But as a result, the owners will receive warm housing with the ability to independently regulate the conditions in each room.

It often happens that a village is simply not gasified, so it is worth thinking about creating electric heating or water heating with a solid fuel boiler.

Far from the most useless thing in a country house is a skillfully folded fireplace. It's beautiful and functional. The fireplace will contribute to the creation of comfortable conditions and coziness. You just need to realize that an open fire is dangerous, and in a wooden house - doubly. The construction of a fireplace can only be entrusted to professionals.

Wiring and intra-building communications

After the foundation has been restored, the walls have been repaired, the roof has been renewed, you need to deal with internal communications. The first thing to start with is to check (or it is better to immediately change) the wiring. Of course, the inspection and installation must be entrusted to a professional electrician.

Wiring should be given maximum attention. Old wiring in a wooden house is a time bomb. It will not allow you to use all the necessary electrical appliances, but this is not the worst thing. A short circuit can occur at any moment, the consequences of which can be the most dire.

The same applies to other communications, the old house is old rusty pipes, which are better immediately replaced with modern plastic ones. This applies to water supply and sewerage.

External finishing

The house is practically renovated, it is already possible to live in it, you just need to give the structure to completion, to take care of its appearance. When choosing a material for decoration, first of all, it is worth focusing on the condition of the walls. A log or bar can be cleaned and painted in any color you like, if the condition of the wood allows, you can use varnish instead of paint. In any case, before starting work, it is worth soaking the tree with an antiseptic.

Siding is suitable for budget facade finishing - plastic panels, which are distinguished by ease of installation, low price and an abundance of color schemes. An additional plus from such a finish is that an additional layer of insulation can be laid under the siding.

Buying an old wooden house with subsequent renovation is a great way to get hold of your own suburban real estate. It is not as expensive as buying a land plot and building a new building, you only need to invest in repairs, which is much cheaper, however, in order to get your dream home, you have to work hard, but it's worth it.

Unfortunately, wooden houses cannot stand forever, over time they age and decay: noticeable deviations from vertical lines appear, windows and doors stop closing, walls begin to warp. At some point, it becomes obvious that it is time to start restoring the old wooden house. The review will focus on what work should be done in the first place and in what sequence.

Wooden house

Log huts have been built in Russia for a long time. Our ancestors believed that this is the most suitable building material for a home. This is explained quite simply - wood is a unique natural material that is able to pass air and perfectly retain heat inside the room. An indisputable fact is that houses built of wood have a kind of energy that lasts for a long time and has a beneficial effect on human health.

A wooden house, unlike a concrete or stone structure, is a kind of living organism that is able to independently tell its owners about its condition. The old wooden house will let you know that it needs restoration through various crackles and squeaks, which the owners should learn to listen to. Most often, problems arise due to the characteristics of wood: it is prone to decay and is very sensitive to temperature fluctuations and moisture. However, even the oldest can be restored with your own hands.

Most often, such buildings have a porch, basement of the house, roof, front door in a dilapidated state. Before proceeding with the restoration and repair of old wooden houses, it is necessary to thoroughly inspect all structures, identify places that require repair, and determine the amount of upcoming restoration work.

Tidying steps

The restoration of an old building is quite troublesome, but pleasant. It is necessary to pay attention to the protective and supporting, and only then to the decorative part. First of all, a strength test should be carried out.

Walls

The degree of deterioration of the walls should not be ignored. If they have darkened from time to time, this still does not mean anything. Very often a white core can be seen under the dark surface of the log. However, if there is dust there, it must be cut out in whole pieces, along with clean areas, because there is no point in decorating the rotten surface.

Rafter system

Foundation

It should be carefully inspected for damage. The restoration of the old log house of a wooden house does not make sense without strengthening and strengthening the foundation. In the event that it is not strong enough, its base will receive a strong load, which will lead to a violation of the external and internal decoration.

It is recommended to take a small pickaxe and a lantern and inspect the surfaces of the foundation from the outside and inside. If, when tapping, whole pieces of the foundation fall off, it is advisable to invite specialists so that they evaluate the capabilities of the supporting platform.

Foundation restoration

The most difficult and at the same time important task is the old house on its own. The base of the building may begin to collapse due to additional load, for example, the superstructure of the second floor or attic, perhaps just from time to time, because after a certain period of time all materials become unusable. Repair methods directly depend on the degree of destruction and on the type of foundation. There are several restoration options.

Strip foundation

If a residential building has a strip foundation, and its destruction occurs after a long service life, it can be restored by pouring a new reinforced concrete belt. To do this, it is required to dig a trench along the perimeter of the building, and gouge holes in the old foundation, into which new reinforcement will later be laid.

The new frame is connected to the reinforcing lintels, and then filled with concrete. After the foundation is dry, it will become a single whole and will be able to serve the house for many years.

Do-it-yourself restoration of an old wooden house is much more difficult if the destruction of the strip foundation is uneven and the house settles on one side. In this case, in order to carry out the reconstruction of the foundation, it will be necessary to raise the frame. Previously, the residential building should be freed from furniture, its floors, windows and doors should be dismantled. When all the necessary procedures have been completed, you should very carefully use special jacks to raise the blockhouse to the required height and put it on temporary supports. The affected part should be completely removed, a new formwork should be installed and a new concrete plinth poured in. To ensure the integrity of the structure, it must be connected to the old foundation.

Column foundation

If under the structure the columnar foundation and the pillars began to collapse, their reconstruction is carried out in the same way as during the repair of the belt. The blockhouse is smoothly raised with a jack from four corners, the old supports are dismantled and new posts are installed. If you find that the destruction has just begun, they can be "dressed" in a new concrete belt. This is done as follows: a formwork is installed around them and a solution is poured directly into it. After that, the building is carefully released onto a new foundation.

Such work is quite feasible, it is only necessary to update the external walls and roof on time (in whole or in part). If the lower rims of the structure are rotten, it rises above the foundation, the damaged logs are removed and replaced with new ones. Please note: when replacing, select logs that are identical in diameter and length to the previous ones.

A layer of roofing material or other waterproofing material is laid on the surface of the foundation. Only after that a whole box is installed on it.

Wall restoration occurs due to the formation of cracks along the perimeter of a wooden house. They should be thoroughly cleaned, treated with antiseptic compounds, covered with sealant. And only then you can start the complete restoration of the house from the outside.

Grinding and elimination of defects of the old log house

In the event that you are not going to sheathe the house with facade panels, but plan to polish it, you will need a special machine equipped with nozzles. With its help, you can cope with even the most inaccessible areas. Sanding should be carried out until a layer with a light color appears.

If there are large defects that are located along the length of the crowns, they should be repaired before grinding. This should be done with a special mixture of sawdust and asbestos; it is necessary to wipe all damaged areas in advance. Instead of asbestos, the use of wood glue or stucco is allowed. However, such formulations are still better suited for correcting small flaws.

If there are many defects and they are too large, cladding is necessary, otherwise the inevitable dampness in the cracks can cause rotting and damage to the wood. When restoring an old wooden house, remember that the wood must be treated with impregnations and various protective agents. This procedure should be carried out before starting caulking. Sealing materials must also be processed.

Between the logs, all the seams should be freed from the worn seal; a vacuum cleaner will perfectly cope with this task. The old tow should be replaced with a new sealing material.

Building color

After all the activities carried out, you should start painting the house. There are several nuances to be observed here. This procedure involves the application of several different products - tinting, varnish, azure. All of them will retain the interesting texture of natural wood. Please note: the ends of the logs must not be subjected to any protective or decorative treatment. It is in this place that a kind of capillaries of the tree are concentrated, with the help of which it "breathes". If this condition is not met, then normal air circulation will be disrupted. Due to the fact that the processing process will seal them, soon the timber or log will undergo a decay process.

You can find out how to sheathe a house with facade panels from the video presented.

Overhaul of a wooden roof

A distinctive feature of each wooden house is the roof, which is made with a certain slope. It can be of several types: gable, hipped, in the event that an attic is equipped on it, an attic. When carrying out a major overhaul of a house, these features should be taken into account. What are the first things to look out for when covering a roof? To keep the tree dry, otherwise it may shift after the completion of repair work. It is necessary to erect the extreme rafters, and install intermediate ones between them. In order for the roof to be even and as stable in the future, it is necessary that all the upper parts of the rafters are located strictly at the same level. Increasingly, roofs are covered with ondulin, soft tiles or other modern materials, but first the old coating is removed.

The roof is mounted only after the installation and fastening of the rafters with special ties. Please note: the distance between the installed rafters should not be more than 60 cm.

Interior decoration

We will tell you how to renovate an old wooden house. A photo of interior decoration, more precisely, one of its options, we want to present to you. First of all, you need to decide with what materials you are going to decorate the room inside.

It can be drywall, lining or plaster, all of these types are extremely popular with ordinary people and have a simple solution. You should also prepare the surface for the selected raw materials - drywall and lining require lathing, while plaster should be applied to the base with a reinforcing mesh.

Replacement of doors and windows

Usually, when restoring an old wooden house inside, they carry out the obligatory replacement of doors and windows. This event can be held independently. But first, you need to check if the box of the structure is lopsided, you can do this using a level. In the event that such violations have arisen, they can be easily corrected by means of a pry bar and a nail puller. For the manufacture of new wooden frames and doors, you can contact a craftsman who will take measurements and fulfill the order in a short time.

Floors

If you are planning to renovate an old wooden house with your own hands, pay special attention to the floor. It can be completely replaced or subjected to a thorough protective process. The first step is to remove the floorboards and be sure to check the condition of the lag, they must be leveled using a level, posts made of bricks or wooden blocks.

Many residents of the metropolis dream of a country house, but buying good real estate will require a lot of money, and building a house from scratch will cost even more. Therefore, most people prefer to buy old houses that require renovation, which we will discuss below.

How to renovate an old house with your own hands

As noted above, the pricing in the real estate market is such that sometimes, in fact, it is more profitable to buy a used home. In addition to financial benefits, there is another significant advantage of old houses - most often they are located in places with a well-developed infrastructure, while progress may not reach new buildings soon.

If you buy a plot and build a house on your own, then you will have to lay communications, which takes time and additional funds. And everything would be fine, but no one canceled the natural wear and tear of the structure, and often old houses need major repairs. What is the best place to start and what to focus on in the first place.

First of all, the disadvantages of used houses are associated with the specifics of construction in the Soviet Union. In the past, most houses in rural areas were built of wood, and it is clear that after 50 years or more, these structures will need to be strengthened and restored. Wood-boring beetles most likely live inside the floor and walls, fungus and rot are visible somewhere.

If you bought Soviet-built housing, then be prepared for the fact that repairing an old wooden house will require high costs, and in some cases it will be easier to completely demolish the box, repair and strengthen the foundation and build everything from scratch.

In the period of the 90s, there was a high popularity of private housing construction, and then brick began to be used in construction. It would seem that a more durable building material should maintain its performance for longer, but the use of poor building mixtures, a lack of qualified architects, and sometimes simply slovenliness during construction caused most of the houses to require considerable investment.

Usually in such houses there is a discrepancy between the nature of the soils and the structures of the foundation - brick buildings are heavy, so there must be a stable soil and a strong foundation under them.

If you have to work with a box of a house that does not have interior decoration, then most likely, unprotected brick walls have already begun to crumble, for this reason you will have to strengthen them or replace especially destroyed areas.

Most common damage to older homes

Before starting repairs and buying building materials, it is worth developing a detailed action plan. To do this, you need to carefully examine the home and assess its condition. What to look for when renovating an old house with your own hands?

The "weakest" points in old private houses:

• External walls - often weak seams, cracks allowing water to pass through, rotten elements (beams, lathing), rusty steel beams, flaking concrete are found in them. For example, damp basement walls indicate improper design or deterioration of foundation waterproofing. Special attention should be paid to internal ventilation and wall insulation.

• Internal walls - poor sound insulation, fire safety (finishing materials not treated with fire retardants are highly flammable), plaster crumbles due to poor-quality application or dampness.

• Doors and windows - in 99% of cases, windows will have to be replaced. Pay special attention to window sills (integrity, strength of the coating), insulation of metal frames (condensation often forms on them). As a rule, locks and fittings on the doors suffer, sometimes when the foundation shrinks, they are repainted, the seal peels off. If there is no cold vestibule in a house with a metal door, then condensation will form on its inner side.

• In the 90s, shingles were most often used as roofs, which were laid at random. It is important to pay attention to the rafter structure - whether the beams have rotted or skewed it. The roofing cake must include heat, hydro and vapor barrier, and also be intact. If roof superstructures and chimneys are used, check that they are intact. Examine the gutters carefully and check how firmly they are attached.

• Interfloor slabs - floor beams crack or sag due to incorrect calculations. If there is no waterproofing between the timber beam and the wall, it will have to be replaced. Basements often contain concrete slabs or short steel beams.

• Floors - there are large gaps between the boards, the wood flooring is worn out, the parquet floorboards creak, cracks and holes in the monolithic ceilings, burnt or worn linoleum, a wobbly chipboard coating.

• Ladders - almost all wooden ladders require replacement of damaged elements or capital elements. Fire safety requirements are often violated - there is a small distance between the balusters.

• Heating - a crumbling stove, the size of the adapter does not match the connection to the gas supply system, chimneys that are too wide (accumulate soot), unusable radiators (often cast iron), lack of heating controls.

• Plumbing - clogged or damaged pipes, ill-conceived arrangement of communications, as a result, constant blockages occur, the inability of a gas water heater or a boiler to heat water. In almost all cases, it is recommended to change the plumbing.

• Electricity - low voltage, unusable electrical wiring (just enough to turn on the TV or light in the room, but not enough for the normal operation of household appliances), old fuses.

Most of the problems listed above are eliminated during repairs, for example, an unusable wall covering is dismantled if you plan to strengthen the thermal insulation. Replacing switches and sockets is also not difficult, you can replace old plumbing in a short time. If we are talking about a cracked foundation or a faulty roof, it will be expensive and difficult to resolve such issues.

How to renovate an old house with your own hands - planning a renovation

A major renovation of an old house should start with careful planning. After inspecting the housing and identifying all serious defects, it is recommended to start implementing the project on paper. If you do not have the makings of an artist, you can cope with visualization using design computer programs (Autodesk Homestyler, 3DMax, SketchUp Make, Ashampoo Home Designer, Sweet Home 3D, SketchUp Make).

Who needs a plan:

1. You will have an idea of ​​what to do and in what sequence.
2. You will see in advance how the house will look and compare the result with the virtual one.
3. You will calculate the exact amount of building materials.

If you plan to move or demolish walls, heating or gas appliances, plumbing equipment, replacing an electric stove with a gas one, such actions will require documentary permission. To do this, you will have to contact the relevant authorities in the area.

To correct the registration certificate at home, you need to write an application and prepare a package of documents, including a description of the upcoming work. To determine whether you need to obtain a repair permit, look at the data sheet - all structures in the plan can be repaired. However, to add additional space, for example, a summer kitchen, you will need a permit. Otherwise, the extension may be considered illegal and simply demolished.

How to renovate an old house with your own hands: internal work

The fast pace of life forces people to spend time on the road or constantly work, but even the busiest person spends a third of his life at home, not to mention children, housewives and retirees. Therefore, it is very important to create a favorable atmosphere, and this applies not only to decoration, but also lighting, heat, ventilation and other important points. The psychological and physical health of the household will depend on them.

Daylight

It is important that the house has natural light, and the more, the better. Windows should occupy no more than 10% of the total area of ​​the house. Imagine just how much discomfort a person who is regularly in a shaded room will feel - he will spoil his eyesight, it is impossible to fully clean up, ventilate and grow indoor plants in this room. In addition, the lack or absence of windows will lead to high energy costs, and now even wealthy homeowners are trying to save on electricity.

Attention! Previously, small doorways and small windows were made in wooden houses to minimize heat loss. In those days, simple glasses were used, which did not protect well from the cold.

However, no one will allow you to simply cut through the beach window in the wall. For the expansion, transfer or replacement of windows, certain standards are provided. Please note that there are separate codes for all regions of the country, as the coefficient of natural light differs.

The damage to illumination is affected not only by the size of the window, but also by the type of glass you use. It's no secret that a double-glazed unit or ordinary glass does not transmit UV radiation, which means that it will not work to make a luxurious greenhouse or solarium. Quartz glasses are used for this, but they are expensive, so they are purchased for specific needs.

How to arrange windows in the house:

• The windows in the bedroom and kitchen should face the southeast side, so that in the evening the sunset does not dazzle the household, and in the morning there is natural light.

• The living room windows are usually located to the west, so that you can turn on the light for an evening rest as long as possible and admire the sunset.

• The windows of the utility rooms must be oriented to the north, as usually there are equipment, tools, materials and products that do not need bright natural light.

• If there are several windows in the room on different sides, then the small ones should be oriented to the north, and the large ones to the south.

• South- and west-facing windows should be shaded naturally through the building's structural elements (overhanging roofs or balconies), cornices or shutters, and nearby trees.

House insulation

To a great extent, a comfortable microclimate in a house depends on humidity and air temperature. In turn, these factors are provided by proper steam and heat insulation and ventilation of the space.

The temperature in the house consists of two components - the temperature of the surfaces (ceiling, walls and floor) and the temperature of the air. Optimum surface temperature is + 17 ° C, air temperature - + 20 ° C. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the tenants. For example, for the elderly, housing should be made warmer, so it is better to install a heating regulator in each room so that everyone can adjust the desired temperature.

As a rule, old-style houses have insufficient or no wall insulation. For this reason, there is a difference between the temperature inside and outside the building, as a result of which condensation forms, humidity increases and households feel bad because of the constant stuffiness. If the wall cannot be disassembled, we recommend that you make high-quality thermal insulation of the walls from the inside or outside.

Ventilation in the house

Due to the violation of natural air exchange, the structures of the floor, walls and ceiling deteriorate over time, which can also cause respiratory tract diseases. Previously, rarely did anyone think about creating ventilation in the roof and walls, and the reason for this was often not just the carelessness of the builders, but also the lack of well-thought-out projects.

At that time, such methods of ventilation of foundations, facades and roofs, which are used today in construction, were not yet known.

Ventilation of rooms with excessive air humidity - bathrooms, kitchens, basements - deserves special attention. If in multi-storey buildings exhaust ventilation is used, which works due to pressure drops of cold and warm air, then this method is unacceptable for private houses.

In a house on two or three floors, the air pressure is very weak, so air exchange is carried out through the walls. To ensure it, it is worth laying a vapor barrier and insulating it with "breathable" materials. These include mineral wool boards, expanded polystyrene (extruded and regular), foam flex, etc.

Additional ventilation must pass through windows and vents, but in winter this method is inconvenient. As a result, in cottage construction, an exhaust ventilation system is always provided, which works on fans - they take in warm air and remove it outside, supplying fresh air from the street. The photo below shows the principle of operation of the exhaust ventilation.

Electricity in the house

Unfortunately, the electricity supply to older homes almost always leaves a lot to be desired. If the past tenants have not taken care of improving the system, then this work will fall on your shoulders. The main problem in these cases is not rotted wiring and old outlets, but insufficient power.

Previously, people did not consume much electricity, as there was not an abundance of electrical appliances. As for entertainment, it was only a radio, TV, but now there are game consoles, computers, stereos, etc.

If you have planned the installation of a "warm floor" system, do not want to turn off the computer to turn on the washing machine, or simply risk the performance of expensive equipment, you will have to contact the district power supply organization and ask for an increase in the quota for the house.

Unfortunately, this cannot be done for most old houses, so the only correct solution would be to install your own substation. This event is quite costly, but it can pay off in the first few years and, as a result, will save money and control energy supply.

In the event that everything is fine with the power, and you only need to replace the wiring, you need to draw up a diagram of the finished system. It is necessary not only for a quick and coordinated replacement, but also for subsequent repairs in the house. So, if you are planning to demolish a wall or a doorway, then there is a high probability that absolutely the whole house will be de-energized.

Mostly open wiring in old houses (wires are outside the wall, run in corners near the floor or under the ceiling), so it will be easy to draw up a diagram. If you use closed type wiring, we recommend calling a specialist.

Attention! When drawing up a wiring diagram, we recommend that you indicate not just the location of the sockets, but also the power of the devices that you are going to connect to them. It would be nice to make a small stock of sockets if you plan to install additional equipment in the future.

High-quality heating in the house

The most common problem in old houses is the high energy consumption for heating the premises. First of all, this is due to poor thermal insulation of the floor, walls and ceiling and an outdated heating system. To reduce costs, in addition to thermal insulation, it is worth replacing old radiators (usually cast iron). The thermal insulation of the roof deserves special attention, since most of the heat escapes through it.

Attention! If you paint the batteries black, and lay foil material between the wall and them (the reflective side should be outward), then the house will be much warmer. The black color contributes to the fastest heating of the battery, and the foil will reflect the heat in the room, whereas before it went through the wall.

It is especially important to decide on the right choice of heating equipment. So, modern boilers operating on solid fuels are able to maintain the optimal temperature at the exit from the boiler in automatic mode; a capacitive heat accumulator can be connected to them, which will accumulate excess heat during the day and give it away at night. This is convenient if the residents are absent during the day, and there is simply no one to warm up.

Recently, gas-fired boilers are gaining immense popularity. Their efficiency reaches 90%, since not only wood burns, but also wood gas. They give out a small amount of the zone, significantly save fuel and do not produce soot.

As for pyrolysis boilers, they are perfect for houses with a centralized gas supply, while electric ones are recommended to be used as a safety option if your boiler suddenly fails. They are financially disadvantageous and consume a lot of electricity. However, even a high-quality boiler does not allow you to avoid heat loss, especially if it is installed in an old house.

There are several ways to help minimize heat loss:

• seal or replace windows and doors;

• install thresholds and gaskets between the floor and doors;

• if only one glass is installed in the windows, provide it with a second frame or put a second one;

• hang blackout heavy curtains in the living room, bedroom and nursery, but so that they do not cover the radiators;

• it is possible to insulate the floor in the room above the basement with the help of a cork or felt backing, linoleum, thick carpet, thermal insulation boards; to enhance the effect, insulate the basement ceiling;

• We recommend covering the outer surface of the heating boiler with non-combustible insulation, by the excessively warm air you can determine that the heating equipment is losing a lot of useful energy;

• in the summer, special solar collectors that heat water will help save on electricity;

• in places where the heat pipe passes through an unheated room, insulate it with foam or mineral wool.

Interior decoration

When the replacement of electrical wiring, plumbing, vapor barrier and surface insulation is completed, you can proceed to the interesting part of repairing an old house with your own hands - interior decoration. The specifics and scope of work directly depends on the selected material for the walls.

For example, plasterboard partitions can be covered with wallpaper, while brick walls require priming and leveling, unless, of course, you plan to finish with PVC panels.

Interior wall decoration is necessary not only for visual appeal. Its main task is to protect the heat and vapor barrier layer and the material itself from premature damage and deterioration. Therefore, it is worth choosing materials for decoration only taking into account the specifics of the room. Washable paints or putties are suitable for the kitchen and the nursery, for the bedroom it is better to give preference to something more comfortable, for example, vinyl wallpaper, for the study, wood panels are perfect.

Before finishing wood walls, it is worth treating them with fire retardant compounds that protect the wood from fire. In this regard, paint is the best option, as it performs both decorative and protective functions.

However, it should be chosen carefully. Like other finishing materials, paints can be used for interior and exterior use. The main difference between the "internal" paints is that they are not so resistant to negative external influences, temperature extremes and UV radiation, but they have a greater hiding power and aesthetics.

Also, the environmental friendliness of the material plays a huge role. In older houses, you can still find surfaces that are covered with heavy paints (they contain lead). It is also best to skip inexpensive oil-alkyd paints as they release harmful chemicals.

As for water-dispersion paints, they are great for interior decoration. They are safe for health and do not interfere with natural ventilation, that is, they allow the walls to "breathe".

Floor in the house

Typically, the floors in older homes are either planks, creaky parquet or frayed linoleum. Let's consider each of the options in more detail.

The nature of the renovation work directly depends on the flooring of the house:

1. Wooden covering.

Plank floor is most often found, since the floorboard provides aesthetics and comfort in the room and was inexpensive. It is durable and environmentally friendly, for this reason, if you got such a floor, do not rush to rip out the boards - if it is properly repaired, then in terms of quality and beauty no modern coating can match it.

Over time, the boards dry up, begin to spring, creak and stagger, and in some places holes from wood-boring beetles appear. In this case, the badly damaged boards should be replaced. If you decide to replace a part of the board, then the patch must rest on two lags, otherwise it will be unstable. So that the floor does not creak and is level, the floorboards are rallied.

To do this, the floor is disassembled, marking the location of the boards, so as not to disrupt their order later. Then you need to check the condition, replace or lay the substrate if it deteriorates from moisture or time.

If the floorboards are sagging, this may mean that there is little lag and insufficient support underneath. Therefore, you just need to remove the boards and add logs in places of deflection. If you suddenly find holes, chips and cracks in the floorboards, they can be repaired with wood filler.

1. Parquet flooring.

Parquet is especially common in houses that were built in the 60s and 70s. last century. One of the most common problems with parquet at that time was the creaking and swelling of the floorboards. Such elements will have to be replaced with new ones, unless, of course, the parquet is swollen around the entire perimeter, since then it will need to be completely replaced.

Cracked planks or uneven ground are often the cause of the squeak. Previously, parquet was laid directly on bitumen mastic, and there was no question of any cork or plywood substrates. To find the cause of the squeak, you need to remove the floorboard and carefully examine the base. It is best to re-place creaking parquet on a substrate.

In the old parquet, there are cracks in which debris is regularly clogged. They should definitely be repaired. To do this, you need to clean the gap and fill with a special putty. If it is large, then use a wooden patch that is planted with epoxy glue to fix it.

If you are faced with worn, scratched and darkened parquet, there is only one way out - scraping. The scraper removes the top layer of the parquet and removes the varnish, after which you can proceed to seal the cracks and cover the floor with fresh varnish.

1. Linoleum.

If there is old linoleum on the floor, it is easier to replace it than to repair it. This is one of the budget coverage options, so you do not lose financially. In addition, modern linoleums are produced with dense noise and heat insulating substrates, so they will be better than the previous coating.

In the event that the linoleum is in good condition, but there are small holes or dents in the place of furniture, put patches. Apply a new piece of linoleum to the damaged area with a slight allowance, cut out the patch, grabbing the old linoleum from the bottom.

This will give you both a patch and a suitable notch for it. Carefully glue the edges of the hole in the old linoleum and the bottom of the patch with glue, and for better fixation, place a weight on top until the glue dries. Moreover, with the help of such patches, you can create an original floor covering if you have pieces of linoleum with different patterns.

How to renovate an old house with your own hands: outdoor work

If you have renovated an old house from the inside, then for external work you will most likely need special equipment and hired workers. First of all, this concerns the exterior wall decoration on the second floor and the repair of the roof.

Features of the construction of the foundation

When buying an old private house, first of all, you need to pay attention not to wallpaper, pipes and wiring, not even to the condition of the roof and walls, but to the foundation, because if the foundation is faulty, then it is very expensive and difficult or even impossible to repair it. ...

The destruction of the foundation can lead to many problems from flooding the basement and cracking the walls to the collapse of the entire box of the house.

One of the most common problems is the change in the physical and chemical properties of the soil. If the house was previously built on stable land, this does not mean that after years the soil has not eroded and the groundwater level has become higher. As a result, the foundation falls into the ground or skews.

When the foundation of the house is settling, it is necessary to interrupt such a process as soon as possible. Usually, for this, beams are placed under the base so that they can take the load during repairs. To strengthen the foundation around the entire perimeter, a reinforcing mesh is used, which will improve the bearing capacity of the foundation by expanding it to the sides.

Be that as it may, repairing the foundation is a responsible event that is associated with a risk to life and implies the presence of high qualifications, therefore, it is highly discouraged to do it on your own.

External walls

Most of the old external walls speak eloquently about their venerable age with weathered mortar joints, peeling plaster, frank cracks or wet smudges. And if the plaster can be replaced, then a crack in the wall may indicate a serious malfunction of the foundation, so carefully examine the walls before buying an old house.

If fungus or mold is seen on the inside of the wall, this indicates a missing or damaged waterproofing - the difference in temperature outside and inside the house causes condensation. But in order to eliminate several problems at the same time: keeping heat, dampening walls, creating ventilation and saving energy, you should take care of laying steam and thermal insulation.

If the wall was insulated, then the laying of a vapor barrier membrane and an insulating layer will not allow the formation of condensation.

To improve the ventilation of the inside-wall space, it is enough to take a few simple measures:

1. Ventilate the area as often as possible.
2. Do not push furniture close to the walls - let there be a distance of 5 cm between them.
3. Space for ventilation between the battens and the vapor barrier for interior decoration.
4. Replace rotten parts and treat the rest with anti-corrosion compounds.

Roof of the house

The roof protrudes not only to protect against cold and rain, but also defines the appearance of the house. Depending on the design, the “mood” and the exterior of the house change. If earlier gable tile structures were in vogue, now the majority prefer "European" straight roofs. They are much easier to operate, create a laconic and stylish look, and can be used as additional usable space (applies to flat roofs).

The retention of heat and the microclimate inside the room directly depends on the integrity and condition of the roofing cake. The most common roof problems are damaged or loose roofing, rotten rafter systems, damaged waterproofing, leaky or missing thermal insulation. If you have a slate roof, then most likely it has turned green from humidity and time.

For practical reasons, it is better to replace the old slate in order to exclude the possibility of leaks, especially if you bought a house in the summer and do not know what to expect with the arrival of the rainy season.

It is impossible to tell exactly how to make repairs to an old house, since the specifics and amount of work directly depends on the nature of the damage. Above, we have considered the most common malfunctions. If you are just planning to buy an old house outside the city, pay attention to the points listed above, especially the condition of the load-bearing walls, the roof foundation, and then, perhaps, you can avoid expensive major repairs.