How to Rehab an Aging Tiny House in King of Prussia, PA

While we often think of tiny house living as a purely modern invention, very small houses have been documented as far back as the late 19th century; in fact, Henry David Thoreau wrote Walden while living in a 150-square-foot cabin! Given that King of Prussia itself was founded in 1819, it’s more than possible that some of its earliest buildings were similar in size to today’s tiny homes.

The modern tiny house movement started in the 1970s by Allan Wexler but took off in earnest in the early 2000s, when people recognized that simplistic living was more affordable. This means that many tiny house pioneers may be living in homes that are decades old and really showing their age, such as developing major leaks that endanger the structure. Tiny house advocates in King of Prussia may also simply wish to keep up with the changing PA legislation meant to ensure that small habitations are truly habitable for the everyday person. Let’s take a look at some critical investments if you want to keep your miniature abode perfectly safe.

Check the Roof and Siding

Pint-sized homes still have many of the same components as larger homes: roofs and siding. These, too, age over time and will need to be replaced, though thankfully at a much lower cost than a big 2,000-square-foot behemoth.

Roofing issues can lead to leaks and, given that you’re living in only a few hundred square feet, this can make you absolutely miserable; you won’t be able to simply encamp to another room while you wait for it to be fixed. Be proactive and pay attention to your roof’s condition, fixing it sooner rather than later. While it’s tempting to think that you can just climb up on the roof and tackle it yourself, given that your home is much smaller than the average, it’s still best to have a roofer take a look, as they will know how to perform these kinds of repairs safely.

Siding is also a major concern, especially because King of Prussia can be incredibly windy and snowy throughout the year. You’ll need professional stucco remediation if you have an earlier, more experimental tiny home that has this unique siding option.

Examine the Underbelly of Your Home

Many older tiny homes are stationary, unlike today’s factory-built tiny houses on wheels, so you may have either a pad foundation or a trailer to contend with. As such, you must determine which type you have and take a good look.

For a stationary tiny home that’s on a concrete pad, pay attention to potential foundation cracks. This will be easier than it would be for a very large home; you should check for unexpected sagging, visible cracks, or sinking soil near your property. This will let you know that you should get in touch with a foundation expert who is familiar with tiny homes.

Older trailers that have not been moved in years may develop serious tire issues, especially in King of Prussia’s cold winters and muggy summers. Have the tires replaced, then cover them with special tire covers that will help insulate them from the elements over time.

Get New Windows

Windows are essential for any home, but strong, sturdy windows are critical for a tiny house. Because the square footage is so minimal, even a tiny draft can make you shiver all winter, making your tiny dream into a big nightmare. If you have an older tiny house, you should absolutely have the windows upgraded for new, more energy-efficient ones as soon as possible. This is especially true because small leaks can turn into serious problems, spreading far and wide and potentially endangering your entire home.

Choose high-quality windows; you may even want to go for a full rehab and choose larger windows so that you can air out the whole home on warm summer days. As you’ll have far fewer windows to contend with than in a larger building, it’s much cheaper to replace them all at once.

Consider Eco-Friendly Upgrades

Many of us choose the tiny home lifestyle because we want to reduce our carbon footprint and be kinder to Mother Earth; that makes rehabbing your home the perfect time to upgrade your amenities so as to reduce waste. Solar panels, low-flow toilets, and even geothermal heating can be great options depending on where exactly you live. Thankfully, King of Prussia offers some great incentives to residents who would like to upgrade to solar panels, making it easier than ever to help out nature and save money too.

Conclusion

An older tiny home in historic King of Prussia serves as a time capsule to the development of eco-consciousness, harkening back to simpler eras when people lived more in tune with nature. However, these small homes can come with the same problems that larger houses deal with as they age. Given that tiny houses are much smaller, minor issues can prove catastrophic much faster, so it’s critical that you remain proactive and perform maintenance regularly. With time and care, you can enjoy your venerable abode for just as long as a bigger property.