Historic Home TESTED Before Major Renovation: Spooky HVAC, Vented Crawlspace and Attic, & Fireplaces

Here's a massive historic home renovation project we're just stepping into- the home Grace grew up in. Tag along as we inspect it from top to bottom, test and analyze the enclosure and HVAC systems. Maybe this made me sweat a little, and maybe it'll do the same for you. The challenge of older homes is no joke. This vid is dedicated to our AWESOME TRIBE of Patreon members, who are the biggest and best year-round conference on applied building science in the world (and you can join too): / homediagnosistv
See our playlist all about the Science of Renovations: • Renovation Science
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Thanks to Chris and Jodi at LG Squared Architecture for helping us with yet another of our family's homes. Find them at: www.lgsquaredi...

[@paul8699]

I'm also remodeling my old house and this video reminded me of two things: remodeling a house can introduce failure points (like sealing air leaks might trap water, or insulating may allow inter-cavity condensation). And second: the most eco-friendly house is one that's already there. I'm very excited to see what the goals/scope of this remodel will be!

[@l4xx03luyf6l0to]

That house has so many problems it seems like it would be cheaper to tear it down and build a new one. I would love to see a cost comparison.

[@V0lk]

I knew you'd never hit -50 when I saw that chaseway around the furnace into the attic. I audited homes around Baltimore / Washington DC that were built around this same "era". They were always big projects to fix.

[@brl5755]

Watching this video made me feel so much better about my house.

[@HomePerformance]

Glad to hear it

[@BradleyFordAus]

More of content like this please, these are really great content and interesting!!!

[@trickstothetrades1801]

Yikes! It’s a shame because the house looks so nice from the outside. I hate to say it but if you are going so far with the Reno I probably would gut it and do a complete renovation. That’s what we decided on the “1890’s Renovation House” we are doing. But I know not everybody could do that. Some of my customers go for it and others just want me to do the best I can with what they got. You could tell that at the end of the video you were depressed about all you found. Keep the faith bro.

[@HomePerformance]

Thanks yo

[@ryansoo4000]

Hi Corbett! Right now on the Green Building Advisor website there is an article by Jon Harrod about the Ephoca Cold Climate Heat Pump which doesn't need an outdoor unit. It can mount on the wall or ceiling and you can also get it with an ERV included. There is also video from Taitum Engineering about the unit on this site. Have you heard of them before?

[@andreycham4797]

Did you read specs on them? I did . In a cold climate they give you less than 50 percent from nominal output. Check out Media or Gradient window heat pumps , you would like them better

[@chriscermak3188]

Loved this video. Been binge watching you Chem series and the indoor air quality videos. Have worked in houses for 30 years remodeling and rehabbing. Recently diagnosed with something called Sarcoidosis. Enlarged lymph nodes in my chest. They don't know the specific cause, but it's an autoimmune response to something. A bunch of people came down with this who worked at ground zero after 911 and recent research is pointing to particulate matter , especially nano particles and silica. I use to not care about breathing that stuff either, now i do.

[@HomePerformance]

So sorry to hear Chris

[@robertaknittle]

The commenters saying just tear it down miss the point about a historic home. They are beautiful and are nearly lost examples of practical craftsmanship and engineering for homes built before modern everything. Better light, better cross ventilation, more baseline energy efficiency because of these considerations, well thought out layouts, and better yet, no cookie cutter styles. I just bought a 1930s craftsman home that needs some work and compared to all the ones I saw while shopping that have been ruined by flippers and HGTV addicts it is still more beautiful than any of them, even before beginning the restoration.

[@HomePerformance]

THANK YOU, well said

[@epg423]

No the houses are trash if you know how to design a house. I'll try to put out a real video on how to design a house because you won't find much online that's great. But ya they are not going to make you money I'll say that. But too hard to explain sorry will try to make a video. Ya they are so so horrible

[@DeuceDeuceBravo]

This is a great example of why my wife and i decided to build new. Lots of beautiful homes out there with massive problems. Good luck! Can't wait to see what you do with this place.

[@MarkRose1337]

Really cool to see the uranium glass door knobs (harmless, btw). I look forward to seeing what you can do with the house!

[@vista-videos]

“…my big fat face.” 😂 Could really hear the mixed emotions you were feeling. Thank you so much for sharing this case study. If I am looking to buy a house, would looking for one built post-1970 building codes solve most of these issues or have you seen lots of air chem problems with those houses too?

[@danslickers8166]

It’s sad to say but before they start dumping all this money into this house it needs to be brought up that it really should be demolished. The amount of money they are getting ready to invest in adding on and remolding, it will never be right. They would be money ahead tearing it down. Inform them on just how bad it is. Once they have all the information then they can make an educated decision on how to proceed. They will respect your professional opinion. Grace and Peace Slick

[@tweake7175]

When was that house built? I'm surprised that it has windows in the attic, and it hasn't been converted into a room.

[@HomePerformance]

1900 ish

[@DavGreg]

@@HomePerformance Just think about how many houses like this one there are all over the country. It just blows the mind.

[@tweake7175]

@@HomePerformance i love that look. tho get rid of that paint and give me wooden floors/walls/doors etc any day. however i don't like the performance. i've lived in some where the carpet flies up the hallway when the wind blows. all those old houses where built to low to the ground with rising damp issues, even tho rising damp was a known thing at the time. even when it became to a legal requirement many houses up into the 70's and later, they where often still low to the ground. whats weird downunder is those old houses where build as in if they where in England and they face the wrong way. people keep trying to build the same even tho the situation or materials/requirements have changed.

[@CajunGreenMan]

17:15 No offense, but have those lead tests been independently verified? I can't help wonder if they reveal things other than lead, given how much of it he finds. Keep up the great work!

[@markmears9665]

You’re a better man than I. I would have tapped out after a visit to that basement. Ignorance is the rational choice sometimes. Thanks though; it makes my prospective renovation project appear far less daunting.

[@HomePerformance]

I appreciate that Mark

[@markmears9665]

Looks like fresh rat poop on that water heater.

[@Foche_T._Schitt]

The stack on the Water Heater should have 12" minimum rise before the elbow .

[@phillipholt3378]

That house reminds me of my parents house. Even the brick is the same style and color. It’s a smaller bungalow built in the 1920’s in Indianapolis. It has most of the same issues that you identified. The knob & tube wiring. The basement and crawl space issues. The fireplace with no damper. The list goes on. I have a degree in Architecture. I was a homebuilder for over 10 years. I’ve been weatherizing homes in Texas for the last 15 years. I’m BPI QCI. I’ve offered to pay for all of the retrofits from re-wiring the house so I can insulate the attic and walls to addressing the basement and crawl issues. That damp dirt smell drives me nuts. I could almost smell it in your video.😂 They always decline the offer because in my mother’s words. “It’s more trouble than it’s worth” They’ve been in that house for over 46 years. Ignorance is bliss I guess. To no avail I’ve tried to convince them that a well insulated, air sealed and properly ventilated house will improve their comfort level especially in the winter, indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

[@linsteadpeck9288]

I’ve been renovating homes that age since I was a kid. Wow do I ever know what you’re up against. Good luck! You seem like a smart person, you got this.

[@SteveM0732]

Thank you. It is nice to see the issues and a test of a home that looks a lot more like the ones that I've owned than new construction does. How do you account for the leakage present in the doorway where you have set up the blower? With your blower set up there is no leakage, but without the blower installed there is going to be leakage. When you are able, do you run the test from two doorways so that you can get data on the doorway(s) used for the blower?

[@arevee9429]

Beautiful, old home.

[@vincentwilkes9611]

Has Grace had a blood test for lead?

[@HomePerformance]

It would be negative now, she’s not exposed anymore

[@DavGreg]

Is this going to be the next season of the TV show?

[@fv1291]

You're a pleasure to listen to. 😊

[@HomePerformance]

Hey thanks

[@JoeDriscoll-ux6ig]

Do you live with eyes shut, peak or open widley depends on personal priorities one bite at a time. Thanks for sharing problem issues with us, looking froward to watch improvements happening.