Would you live in a buiding built in the 1800s?

[KK4AMI]

First, I read about the gas explosion in New York City caused by a 150 year old ruptured gas line. Now it's a 9 alarm fire in a bunch of Boston Brownstones built in the late 1800s. That fire killed fireman and civilians. When is a building too old to live in safely. Rooms in a building can be remodeled, but it is usually the same sewer system, gas lines, power lines, dried out structural timbers and rotting brickwork. Is it safe to think buildings past a certain age are still habitable? I wouldn't live in any building that was older then I am. :-?

[K7SGJ]

Sure, I wouldn't have a problem living in an old building like that. Obviously, I would inspect all the plumbing, electrical, and gas for condition. I think I would probably want to replace the wiring with new stuff with a ground, and the plumbing I would want to thoroughly checkout visually, at least that which is exposed. The gas lines would be of most concern to me. Normally, gas lines are under very low pressure, just a few psi, but I would want to pressure test them with a pretty high static pressure. I know when I built this place, I had to pressurize the gas lines to 15 psi, and it had to hold it for several days in order to pass inspection. After it passed, I ran it up to 125 psi for a week or so while I was working on other things, and it held just fine.

As far as an older building goes, if it passed the building inspection, and mine as well (which would be tougher) I wouldn't see a problem. However, my biggest concern would be the condition of the surrounding buildings, since most people aren't as demanding as I am, or keep up with preventive maintenance. It doesn't do you much good if your place is in perfect order, and the adjoining building blows up and takes yours with it.

[KG4CGC]

Some one on the Island does.
Let's ask her opinion.

[NQ6U]

People in other countries frequently live in buildings far older than that and seem to do just fine. Ever been to Florence, for instance?

[W3WN]

OK, so let's say, you buy an old, old building for a future home. You have, and spend, the money to bring everything up to modern codes... rewire to modern electrical standards, replace the water & gas pipes, new windows & furnace of course, and so on. So even though the building is old, it's as modern and as safe as the 3 year old over priced thin walled mansion across the street.

Two weeks later, someone digging in the street hits the gas main. And the resulting explosion (amongst other things) levels that thin walled mansion across the street... and your new home.

Was the problem the age of the buildings? The age of the infrastructure? Or the carelessness of the workmen?

... and that's why I wouldn't be worried per se about the age of the building. It's a factor, granted. And whether or not it's been kept up to date, or can be (at an affordable cost), is a factor. But it's neither the main one nor a predominant one.

Just make sure you carry plenty of insurance.

[W7XF]

I grew up in a house built ~1865 in the Bay Area, which means, it held up to 1906, and the main structure held up to Loma Prieta. Yeah, when we moved in, the HVAC had to be modernised (it was coal heat as built, converted to oil)...but with CARB essentially banning coal and diesel heat...had to convert the house to natural gas, and the house was totally rewired (it was ungrounded knob & tube). All of that had to be done prior to us occupying the house. It still stands today, however the sun room addition was removed by the current owner, as that part did not survive Loma Prieta. Redwood construction, 2x6 studs, and those pesky chisel cut nails.

[N2NH]

1800? That's nothing compared to some buildings here. There's some going back as far as the mid 1600s and people live in them with no problems. Not as uncommon as you might think here.

Kingston Stockade District
(added 1975 - Ulster County - #75001231)
Also known as See Also:Senate House;Clinton Avenue Historic District
Area bounded by both sides of Clinton Ave., Main, Green, and Front Sts. , Kingston
(321 acres, 171 buildings)

Historic Significance: Information Potential, Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Multiple
Area of Significance: Politics/Government, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Architecture, Military, Community Planning And Development
Cultural Affiliation: Not Available
Period of Significance: 1900-1924, 1875-1899, 1850-1874, 1825-1849, 1800-1824, 1750-1799, 1700-1749, 1650-1699
Owner: Local , Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Defense, Domestic
Historic Sub-function: Business, Fortification, Multiple Dwelling, Single Dwelling, Specialty Store
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic
Current Sub-function: Single Dwelling

LINK here.

[PA5COR]

My town has houses or buildings that were build in the early 1400's and still have the full building permit with all new fangled pipes and electricity and outside we do maintain our infrastructure actually quite well.

Accidents do happen, even here, but not by out of date building code utility infrastructure in the houses/buildings.
Regular inspections can take place in any house/building and repairs if need be need to be done within one week, depending on the faults found or in bad cases immediate lock out of the utility that needs improvement till the work is verifyable done.

[KC2UGV]

First, I read about the gas explosion in New York City caused by a 150 year old ruptured gas line. Now it's a 9 alarm fire in a bunch of Boston Brownstones built in the late 1800s. That fire killed fireman and civilians. When is a building too old to live in safely. Rooms in a building can be remodeled, but it is usually the same sewer system, gas lines, power lines, dried out structural timbers and rotting brickwork. Is it safe to think buildings past a certain age are still habitable? I wouldn't live in any building that was older then I am. :-?

Yes, and I do. Late 1800's, but still 1800's.

As long as it's been maintained, there's no issue.

[KK4AMI]

I wasn't really referring to single family dwellings but bigger buildings like multiple occupancy apartment buildings. Old stacked stone foundations, 150 year old pipes leading sewage out of the building and gas in. Do the cities and boroughs replace all that stuff? How? They would have to tear up city streets. Then to boot, the wood structure is so dried out, you have to be worried about every smoker and arsonist living below you and above. I live in a one story ranch that could start on fire, but I can get out any window and not do more then stub my toe. Can't imagine being 5 stories up. I used a Ditch Witch to dig up my yard and fix my septic pipes.