About two thirds of Dayton's homes were built before 1960. Here is how to clean plaster, old wood and tile safely, what to do about old paint, and what to leave to a trade.
Dayton has the kind of housing a newer city can only imitate. The median home in the city dates to 1951, and about 37 percent of its units go back before 1940. Oakwood is older still, with a 1938 median. Those houses were built well, but they do not respond to modern cleaning habits the way a 2015 house does.
This guide explains how to look after them, whether you do it yourself or when TotalCare Cleaning comes to Dayton.
About 65 percent of the City of Dayton's housing units were built before 1960. In Oakwood about 55 percent predate 1940. Franklin's median home was built in 1967, with about 19 percent from before 1940. Kettering adds a postwar layer, with a 1961 median, including the Greenmont homes built in just over six months in 1942 and 1943 for wartime workers.
History is on the map too. Dayton has 13 locally designated historic districts and more than 70 individually listed landmarks, and its National Register districts include Oregon, South Park, McPherson Town and St. Anne's Hill. Centerville keeps stone and brick cottages at its old Four Corners, and Springboro has buildings dating to its 1815 founding on South Main Street.
The 1913 flood is part of the story as well. More than 360 people in the Miami Valley died, and any house that survived it has seen a lot.
Any home built before 1978 may have lead paint, and in Dayton that takes in most of the housing. The city is using a HUD Lead Hazard Reduction grant to train local contractors in lead-safe work practices and reduce lead hazards in homes. For cleaning, the rule is simple: wipe gently with a damp cloth, and never sand, scrape or use anything abrasive on old paint.
Pay attention to friction points such as window sashes and door edges, where old paint can wear into dust. Wet-wipe those sills and tracks rather than brushing them dry. If you see chipping or peeling paint, stop and call a qualified contractor. A cleaner should leave it alone and let you know it is there.
Each of these older materials has its own needs, and the safest approach starts with the mildest product that does the job. Always test on a hidden spot, and let the surface dry before you judge the result.
Mineral film builds up fast on old fixtures. Dayton's softened water averages about 139 milligrams per liter, Oakwood's well water about 200, and raw water here runs much harder. Old chrome and enamel do not hold up to harsh descalers, so a gentler product used more often works better. If you get reddish water, the city says higher flow in the mains can loosen iron deposits, and running the water until it clears takes care of it. Do not do laundry until then.
Winter brings its own problems. About 110 nights a year fall to freezing, and January dew points near 22 degrees dry out wood and plaster. Salt at the door can mark old floors, so use a good mat and wipe up melt quickly. Check the basement after a heavy rain, since April and May average about 4.5 inches each.
In Dayton's HD-2 historic designation, owners need a certificate of appropriateness for any exterior work. Springboro has an architectural board for protected properties, and Centerville keeps its Architectural Preservation District. Indoor cleaning does not raise those issues, but power washing the outside or changing exterior features might, so ask first.
When TotalCare Cleaning comes to Dayton, an old home will get the same scope as any other, with extra care: a One-Time Deep Clean to catch up detail, or a recurring plan for steady upkeep. It does not include repairs, repainting, mold or water damage work.
The questions Dayton homeowners ask most often about this topic, answered plainly.
TotalCare Cleaning will service Dayton and surrounding areas with background-checked cleaners and is insured up to $1 million. Re-clean guarantee: if we missed something, tell us by the end of the next day and we come back to fix it. Beyond Clean. TotalCare.
