Old homes are interesting. They also have plenty of history and charm. Unfortunately, old homes can also come along with a number of problems and issues. If these issues are not sorted, they can end up costing you a lot of money.

An infographic for the #FixYourOwnHome campaign from a top heating oil supplier has a number of great tips to help you tackle some of the most common problems if you have an older home. Here are some of the most common problems, and some strategies you can use to deal with them:

Lack of insulation

Insulation looks like a sponge, and should be found in lofts, underneath your floorboards, and in wall cavities. If you can’t see any, you may be in for a cold winter. If you’re handy and up for some DIY, you can install your insulation yourself. If you’re not quite sure what to do and what to use, it’s best to get an expert to do it for you.

Deteriorating roof

Have you found moisture in your loft? Maybe your gutters are bowing or you can see water damage around your home? This may be because a section of your roof is damaged or missing. If this is the case, this needs to be tackled before the water does massive damage to your house. If you can see small cracks, these can be easily fixed with a roof sealant. However, if you’ve got significant damage, you’ll need to hire a roofer.

Old Boilers

Are you feeling freezing in the winter but still dealing with high heating bills? It may be because your boiler is old, and old boilers are inefficient. You can flush out your heating system, which will remove any build up or sludge in the pipes. This build-up could be preventing your boiler from actually heating your radiators. If this doesn’t help, it may be time for a new boiler.

Mould

Uh-oh. Mould can be a big problem. It’s usually black, and you’ll find it in warm, moist places like kitchens and bathrooms. Often, you’ll be able to smell mould, and sometimes you can see it. There are mould sprays which will help you get rid of small mould patches, but if you have an infestation you’ll probably need to get a professional to deal with it. This is a big one since mould can have a big impact on your family’s health.