You recently bought a house in a rural area? Congratulations! Many people dream of living in the country, especially off-grid. Enjoy the clean air, wildlife, and gardens.
You must, however, ensure that your new home will be a safe and comfortable place to live in order to fully enjoy country life. This article reveals a checklist of ideal rural homes that covers general construction, sprinklers and plumbing, garages, landscaping, and much more.
Home’s Foundation
When buying or renting a rural home, it is important to ensure that the foundation is in good condition. Check for any bulging or leaning. The foundation and walls of the house should be in line. Also, be on the lookout for concrete cracks as these may indicate degradation.
Then, check your foundation to see if there are any areas where water can collect. This is especially important after a heavy downpour. Notice any signs of evaporation or wetness on the exterior of your home. Water pooling may indicate cracked pipes or loose dirt that could cause damage to your foundation. If your foundation type allows, you can enter the underhome and check the slab and interior walls. When inspecting the crawl space or basement, look for horizontal cracks and stair steps around corners.
We recommend that you conduct a foundation inspection every two years and contact concrete contractors if you notice any warning signs of foundation problems. Professional foundation inspections are conducted to determine the structural integrity of your home’s base. Angi estimates that hiring a structural engineering firm to conduct a foundation report and inspection will cost between $450-$1,200.
Sprinklers
Many rural residents strive to maintain a vibrant and lush garden. In addition to regular lawn maintenance, a lush lawn also requires adequate water treatment. A lawn sprinkler system can help. According to Angi’s estimate, sprinkler system installation costs between $2,500 and $3,500. Installing a lawn sprinkler may be a good investment, but the benefits over the long term could outweigh its initial cost.
Manufacturers of lawn sprinklers have been able to develop controllers thanks to the development of irrigation technology. Certain controllers are able to measure rainfall and turn off the system. You will save water and reduce your water bill.
Sprinklers distribute the exact amount of water required to maintain a lush lawn. Installing a sprinkler will also eliminate the need to manually water your lawn. You only need to turn on the sprinkler and adjust a few screws. Routine inspections can be made easy with the help of experts who specialize in sprinkler systems. Installing a lawn irrigation system in your rural home will keep your plants and lawn healthy.
Garage
Remodeling a garage can be a difficult task, but it is often the top priority in rural areas. If you redo the flooring and add more storage, it might be a place where you enjoy spending time. It’s a space with a lot of potential that isn’t being realized. Remodeling doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Start with the floor to spruce up your garage on a budget.
Concrete floors are needed in most garages to support the weight of cars. Over time, these floors become worn and unattractive due to cracks. If you’re looking to update the look of the space and get rid of the garage-like feel, consider installing vinyl planks. According to Angi, if you do it yourself, the cost is around $500 for 400 square feet.
Additionally, an old, rusty, and dirty garage door can ruin the aesthetics of your home. You can improve the aesthetics of your home by upgrading or replacing the garage door. Remove the old frame if the door is one piece, very old, damaged, or rusted. There is a good chance that when removing the garage door, you will damage the opening. You should inspect the building, repair any damage,e and replaster affected areas.
Landscaping
According to the United States Census Bureau, rural areas make up 97% of all the land in the United States. One out of five Americans lives in rural areas. Landscaped rural areas are a great way to enhance open spaces and blend into the environment.
To maintain a neat, healthy landscape, it is important to remove any extraneous grass, trees, shrubs, and bark. Hire a tree service, or hire a professional landscaper to help you with the initial improvements of your landscape. Include fruit bushes, vegetables, and herbs in your flower beds. Garden furniture can enhance the beauty of any landscape in a variety of ways.
Fences can be used to enhance the area. They offer privacy for rural homes and protect plants from animals. Integrate existing materials into your landscape to give it a rustic look. This will enhance its aesthetic appeal as well as its practicality. Sinks, closets, and cabinets can make attractive planters. Old pots, buckets, and ceramic bowls can also be used in a similar way. These items can be used to create an attractive garden accent, which will make people smile.
Emergencies
Rural living can expose you to a variety of weather patterns and natural disasters. Research the disasters that are most likely to strike your area before you start your preparation plan. Buy a generator that can run your water heater, TV, lights, and well pump simultaneously. You can invest in a whole-house propane generator that will automatically start during an outage.
Water damage is the most common threat to homes in rural areas. Check your roof frequently, hire a professional to clean and inspect the stove pipes, and ensure that the pipes are well-insulated or wrapped for winter. Install hurricane Windows in order to protect your family against severe weather such as hurricanes and storms. These windows offer extra protection against bad weather.
Don’t forget to create a communication plan. Your family may not be together when tragedy strikes. Discuss with your partner emergency preparedness, including meeting places, escape strategies, and ways to stay in touch during an emergency.
As important as creating a plan is, it’s also crucial to practice. It is important to practice your plan, especially if you live in an area where wildfires are frequent. It may not be possible to get out of the path of the fire, so having a good exit strategy is important.
Roof
Roofs are a useful system for homes in rural areas. Your house is protected from the elements by your roof. You must therefore take good care of your roofing. Routine roof inspections can help you maintain a good roof.
It is best to start by inspecting your roof from below, checking for damage like rust or perforations. It may be tempting to climb the roof but it is best to leave this difficult task to professional roofers. It is dangerous to walk on roofs with angled sections or weak spots. Any damage could invalidate the warranty.
Examine the roof overhangs and gutters. Examine the roof gutters and overhangs. You can hire a roofing inspector to perform thorough repairs or replacements if you notice sections that need attention. Bankrate estimates that roof replacement will cost around $9,117.
The Plumbing
A plumbing inspection is an inexpensive way to ease your mind or, at least, find out if there are any problems that need to be addressed before they worsen and become more costly. A plumbing issue could cause significant damage to your property, resulting in thousands of dollars worth of repairs. Angi estimates the average cost of a Plumbing Examination at $575. However, since a plumber can identify problems before they turn into costly catastrophes, this inspection is worth its price.
Even though the number of plumbers may be low in rural areas, you should only hire the best. The plumber will start by turning on all the fixtures in order to check for any leaks. The plumber will check several fittings including toilets and showerheads. They’ll also inspect outdoor water spigots and bathtub and shower faucets. The inspectors will check your caulking for any problems that may lead to water damage.
One of the most common plumbing issues is frozen pipes bursting. In some rural homes, a seasoned plumber replaces the lead pipes with unblocked pipes. A plumber who is ideal should inspect drains and pipes to check for blockages or silt buildup. You can maintain your plumbing system for years by scheduling routine inspections.
General Build
It is important to ensure that your rural homes have a solid structure. Poor structures can lead to serious problems, such as wall fractures, submersion, structural component separation, or, worst case scenario, a complete or partial collapse of the building. A poorly designed building can also compromise the safety of its occupants.
Walk through your home and take note of anything that does not seem right. This will help you determine the overall health of your home. Are there any cracks in the walls or ceiling? Are there areas of uneven flooring or water damage?
If you notice that your windows and doors are not closing completely, this could be a sign of structural issues. If you notice something unusual, hire a general contractor for an inspection. Houzz estimates that you can expect to pay $50 to $100 an hour. They can supervise various projects to ensure that your rural home meets your changing needs and is in good condition.
Electricity and Power
Electricity is used in many rural homes to power refrigerators, lighting, cooking, and other equipment. A poorly maintained or incorrectly installed electrical system can be very dangerous. This can lead to a fire, which could destroy your home and possessions. You should therefore regularly inspect your home’s electrical wiring to look for any warning signs of a problem and contact an expert.
Cover plates should be installed on all outlets, switches, and junction boxes in your home. Cover plates can be missing from garage ceilings and behind refrigerators. They are also often found inside cabinets in kitchens and unfinished basements. Uncapped or incorrectly-terminated cables pose a serious electrocution risk. You should correct them immediately.
Improve the energy efficiency of your home. Local companies are able to guide you through the process of switching to a sustainable and more affordable energy source. Solar power can produce reliable, clean electricity, according to the US Department of Energy. Nearly 4 million US households have solar panels. Solar panels will still work on cloudy or overcast days, but they won’t be as effective as when the sun is shining brightly.
HVAC System
You should have your AC tuned up before moving to a rural house, regardless of its condition. You do not want to suffer unbearable heat because your air conditioner is malfunctioning, do you? Check your device to rule out any possible issues if you are unsure of how it operates. How do you perform the checks?
Check the airflow by opening the vents. Place your hand close to the vents and check if the air blows steadily and strongly. It should feel steady and solid. You can check if your air conditioner reacts correctly when you adjust the thermostat to different temperatures.
Regular maintenance will allow your air conditioner to operate more efficiently and effectively. If you think the unit may not be working properly, seek expert advice. Professional HVAC contractors are able to accurately diagnose problems and make necessary repairs or maintenance so that your air conditioner can withstand the summer heat.
Moving to a rural home is an exciting adventure, but it also comes with a set of unique responsibilities. By following the checklist and working with local professionals, you can create a rural sanctuary that captures not only the tranquility of rural life but will also last over time.