The Houses of Hinds County – Restoring and Maintaining an Older House

Restoring and maintaining an old or historic house can be a privilege and an honor. It is also a labor of love and an enduring commitment.

A glance at the National Register of Historic Places reveals 114 properties in Hinds County listed for preservation due to their historical significance.  Beyond that, there are hundreds of examples of older architecture to be found in the county, and the same fundamental attention and care are devoted to their renovation and ongoing upkeep.

In a county blessed with its fair share of heritage and history, here is a lighter look at some of the things that go into maintaining a living piece of history.

Widening that circle of contacts

One thing that the maintenance of a historic dwelling will do is expand one’s circle of contacts. Granted, a fair proportion of that ‘social circle’ will invariably be tradespeople and craftsmen, but historical preservation work by its design generally involves developing relationships with individuals and firms who are not only experts but also possess a sensitivity and understanding of older building preservation.

Typically, this kind of renovation work requires faithfulness to the original architecture and design. The older building techniques often no longer have a place in modern construction – things like decorative moldings and flourishes have to be sourced or more typically reproduced, to use one example.

Expect to develop that closer relationship with materials providers and more workaday commercial suppliers like Tradefix Direct during both a restoration and a maintenance phase.

A work in progress

Many owners of older-style houses attest to the fact that renovation and maintenance are very much an ongoing work in progress. As well as the special care and attention to detail needed, a renovation project is often a major financial undertaking, and an older house so very often throws the developer a curveball in terms of unexpected or hidden surprises.

These houses weren’t built with the same level of comfort and convenience as their modern-day counterparts, and indeed it is often that very fact that endears them to their owners.

Renovating an old-style dwelling to provide modern conveniences like central heating and air conditioning must be balanced with maintaining the timeless old-world feel, in keeping with a past era.

Thus, renovations will typically take place in stages, time and budget permitting.

Getting it watertight

Perhaps one of the biggest starting points for the renovator is getting the entire structure watertight. This means attention to roofing, window seals, and mortar areas. Water damage and internal damp can be a big issue, which can lead to structural damage to ceilings, walls, and floors. Likewise, electricity is not a big fan of water, and internal wiring must also be considered!

One-offs and off the level

Bear in mind that these older houses were designed and built in the days before rigid structural and engineering standards arrived. Similar-looking houses can be vastly different in internal dimensions on close inspection.

The leveling of uneven floor areas can be a big task. It pays to consider that an investment in an older style house is an investment in a rather unique ‘one off’ building, rather than an ‘off the rack’ design.

Summary

Owners of older-style houses will so often recount a bittersweet tale of renovation experience. It is so often a labor of love and an ongoing commitment, but the opportunity to be the custodian of a unique piece of history is a prize and an honor not to be underestimated.