5 most toxic problems with cheap old houses in Chicago  southside. Chicago’s southside has homes dating back 150 years. In fact, much of the southside has older homes lining the streets. From 1890s two-story shingled homes to the 1930s red brick Chicago bungalows. Chicago’s older homes are a testament to its successful and volatile history. I love older homes and URB Chicago is dedicated to preserving the history of Chicago’s architectural past.

But what were once beautiful new homes are now cheap old houses in Chicago in need of a face lift. While many older southside properties need cosmetic improvements to improve curb appeal, many other distressed properties need significant updates.

Have you ever walked into a Chicago home with flooring that appear uneven? Have you ever seen a neglected southside property with a bowing roof? How about an abandoned southside property with graffiti or broken windows? These are all common types of problems with southside Chicago homes. But even though a home looks like a damaged property, that doesn’t always mean it is toxic.

In today’s article we want to discuss cheap old houses we buy in Chicago that have toxic problems. And were not talking about an emotionally toxic relationship brought on by a husband who chooses the wrong paint color. We are talking about the toxic nature of the paint itself.

URB Chicago is Chicago’s most trusted fast cash home buyer and we have been buying houses in Chicago’s southside since the 1980s. We buy houses with problems. And these are the most common toxic problems that we find in southside houses we buy.

What is a toxic problem with cheap old homes in Chicago?

What is a toxic problem with cheap old homes in Chicago? URB Chicago buys distressed and abandoned properties in southside Chicago. So, if you have a distressed property give us a cal. We want to buy your damaged house today.

A toxic home or property in Chicago has building materials or damage that poses a health risk to your body. Common health risks impact your heart, lungs, other organs and have potential to cause cancer. Sounds serious, right?

Many toxic problems with homes are due to building materials that were not identified as unsafe until after the home was built. In fact, building materials such as asbestos and lead were very common, and it wasn’t until 1978 that it became illegal to use these materials. Due to the number of homes built with these building materials it is also required by law for homeowners selling a house to disclose that the home was built prior to 1978 and may contain these harmful building materials.

5 Most Toxic Problems with Older Southside Homes

The 5 most toxic problems with older southside homes can be costly to mitigate and are often the reason why we buy old houses in Chicago. Here are 5 toxic problems that may have you contacting URB Chicago for a fair market cash offer for your house today.

Asbestos

Asbestos was a common building material from the 1940s to the 1970s due to its durability and heat resistance. Asbestos was used in insulation, ceiling and floor tiles, walls, windows, and more. If asbestos remains intact it is considered safer. However, over time asbestos can break apart and those worn fibers can become airborne. The result of breathing in these fibers can lead to numerous illnesses such as chronic lung disease and mesothelioma cancer.

Lead plumbing

Plumbing has for a long time had a bad rap when it comes to renovating older homes. Clay pipes from the 1930s to the 1950s are especially susceptible to cracking from tree roots. Galvanized piping deteriorates over time to create sediment in pipes that can lead to water pressure and other issues. But the most toxic problem that plumbing in older homes face is lead. Lead was used in many building products including paint and water pipes. Over time lead pipes begin to deteriorate and those small fragments can seep into your drinking water causing multiple health risks.  

Mold from water damage

Mold from water damage. We buy old homes and one of the most common problems we find is mold from water damage. Cheap old houses in Chicago have often been left abandoned. Over time this leads to broken windows, roof leaks, holes in exterior walls, and other issues. All of these problems over time can result in water damage and lack of humidity control. With southside Chicago’s extreme weather fluctuations these problems often result in mold. More dangerously, they can result in black mold. Black mold can cause several problems from severe allergies and asthma to chronic lung problems up to and including cancer. 

Electrical issues

Electrical issues in Chicago houses are considered dangerous but often not categorized as toxic. However older southside homes with electrical issue are prone to causing carbon monoxide poisoning and the slow warming or burning of hazardous materials in insulation, paint, and wall coatings. These long-term impacts of respiratory issues is still not the worst problem created by electrical issues. Chicago has one of the highest rates of house fires in America.

Lead Paint

In 1978 it became illegal to use lead paint in homes. Additionally, it is required by law for home owners to report if a home was built before 1978 and report to home buyers that the home may contain lead paint. Lead paint in any form – dust, shavings, paint chips – can negatively impact the respiratory system. Since paint is one of the most common ways to renovate a home, lead paint could be hidden behind multiple layers of paint spanning decades and even over a hundred years.

URB Chicago wants to buy your southside Chicago house and we offer fast cash payments for homes in any condition. Contact URB Chicago today to receive a fair market cash offer for your cheap older home in as fast as 24 hours. For many southside homeowners you could walk away with cash in hand in as fast as 7 business days.