Postwar homes (1950s–70s): what to expect and what they need
With a 1950s to 1970s home, begin by identifying how it was built and what has changed since. Screen pre-1990 materials for possible asbestos before any disturbance. Find the wiring and plumbing upgrade dates, inspect the roof, drainage and footings, and look for present leakage or reliable renewal records in wet areas. Regional practice varied, so treat the decade as a clue and inspect the systems in this home.
- 01FabricWhich shell is present: veneer, boards, masonry or mixed
- 02ServicesWhen the wiring and plumbing were renewed, with proof
- 03HazardsAnything pre-1990 gets screened before anyone drills into it
The wiring in place sets the electrical question. Find its age and alteration history.
The houses that built the suburbs
Postwar expansion produced brick veneer, weatherboard, masonry and mixed systems on slabs, stumps, piers and strip footings, with strong regional variation. Many homes have also had several generations of wet-area, service and extension work. Treat the decade as the opening question, then go and meet the actual building.
Inspection priorities
Asbestos, the defining check
Use the national pre-1990 screening rule, identify suspect material before cutting or demolition, and follow state-specific licensing and disposal requirements. The material, amount and jurisdiction determine the removal pathway.
Ageing wiring and the switchboard
Have a licensed electrician assess the wiring, alterations, capacity and safety devices behind the switchboard. Their inspection defines the need and scope for any upgrade.
Dated wet areas and waterproofing
Original and later wet areas use varied construction. Look for swelling, staining, loose finishes, failed junctions and dampness below. If the bathroom could change your decision or budget, arrange the right moisture investigation before you commit.
Slab and footing movement
Reactive clay soils common across much of southern Australia move as moisture changes. Read crack pattern, progression and associated distortion using the crack guide. Maintain roof-water disposal and ground drainage around the footings.
Lead paint and tired finishes
Homes painted before the 1970s may carry lead in older coats. Test before sanding or stripping. Also assess metal-framed windows, insulation, kitchens, services and wet areas by current condition.
Renovating a postwar home: check, then build
Identify suspect asbestos-containing materials before demolition. Coordinate any service and waterproofing upgrades while walls are open. The broader sequence is in planning a renovation.
Confirm the property’s current condition
Confirm the property's materials, services, wet areas, footings and completed renewals. The overview across all eras is the era planning guide.
Frequently asked questions
What problems do 1950s–70s homes have?
Priority checks include asbestos-containing materials, wiring and switchboards, wet areas, footing movement, drainage and older lead paint.
Does my brick-veneer home from the 1960s have asbestos?
It may. Identify suspect sheeting, eaves, vinyl floor backing, roofing and later alterations before work, then follow state removal rules.
Do postwar homes need rewiring?
A licensed electrician should identify the installation, alterations, safety devices, defects and capacity before scope is set.
Why do bathrooms in older homes leak?
Water can escape through plumbing, junctions, shower screens, drainage, finishes or waterproofing. Look at what is happening now and ask when the room was last renewed.
Is cracking in a brick-veneer home serious?
Read width, direction, location, associated distortion and change over time. Check roof-water disposal, ground drainage, plumbing leaks, trees and the footing system, then obtain professional assessment for escalation patterns.
Are postwar homes a good buy?
A postwar home can offer practical proportions and well-understood construction. Identify suspect asbestos-containing materials before work, check wiring and wet areas, inspect drainage and footings, and budget from the property’s current evidence and completed renewals.
How this guide was researched
The era suggests what to expect; the alteration history, service records and physical condition of this particular house decide what is true.
Limits: Confirm the age of services, wet areas, footings and hazardous materials through records and physical evidence.
Sources
- Asbestos: a guide for householders and the general publicAustralian Government / enHealth · accessed 2026-07-19
- Lead Alert: the six step guide to painting your homeAustralian Government · accessed 2026-07-19
- Brickwork and blockworkYourHome, Australian Government · accessed 2026-07-19
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