People get obsessed with keeping original details, but if the bones aren’t right, you’re just asking for trouble.
That’s exactly what I ran into on my first reno. Wanted to save these beautiful old baseboards, but once I started pulling them off, the studs behind were half rotted and full of old newspaper insulation. Looked nice on the surface, but it was basically a house of cards. Ended up having to rip out way more than planned, but honestly, after seeing what was behind those walls, I’m glad I did.
Here’s what worked for me: I documented every original detail I could, then carefully demo’d down to the framing. Once everything was exposed, I sistered the bad studs, added new anchor bolts, and used proper shear panels. After that, I put back the best salvageable trim and patched the rest. Not perfect, but at least now I know the place won’t come down in a tremor.
It’s tempting to keep everything old, but sometimes you’ve got to make the call for safety over aesthetics. Learned that the hard way...
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve been down that rabbit hole of “just patch it up and keep the charm,” but man, sometimes those old houses are basically held together by hope and a few rusty nails. I love original details as much as anyone, but if the structure’s sketchy, you’re just putting lipstick on a pig. I do think there’s a sweet spot though—sometimes you can save more than you expect with a little creativity (and a lot of patience). But yeah, safety first... nobody wants their vintage crown molding crashing down mid-quake.
Funny thing is, I’ve seen some of those “held together by hope” houses outlast newer builds in a quake, just because the old wood’s so dense and flexible. Not saying skip the safety upgrades, but sometimes the old bones are tougher than they look.
I get where you’re coming from—some of these old places really do surprise you. But I’ve seen firsthand how a few hidden weak spots can turn a “tough” house into a pile of splinters during a decent shake. I love the character, but I always recommend a step-by-step check: crawlspace, foundation bolts, cripple walls, and chimney bracing. Sometimes it’s the stuff you can’t see that makes all the difference. Old bones are great, but I’d rather not gamble on them alone.
EARTHQUAKE STUFF: HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
That’s exactly what I worry about with our place. We bought a 1940s bungalow, and yeah, it’s got “good bones” according to the inspector, but I still get nervous thinking about what’s hiding under the floors. We did a basic retrofit—bolted the foundation, added some bracing—but honestly, I had to pick and choose because the budget was tight. Did you find it was worth spending extra on the chimney? Ours is brick and looks solid, but I keep hearing horror stories about them toppling in a quake.
I totally get the urge to trust the old construction, but sometimes I wonder if I’m just being cheap or if I’m missing something serious. How do you decide when you’ve done enough? Like, is there a point where you just have to cross your fingers and hope for the best?
