Potential hazards of older homes

I love working on older systems, partially due to working on several hundred growing up and living in a home built in 1926. Older homes have amazing character but can also come with some pretty substantial deferred maintenance. One unexpected hazard that comes up quite frequently is the potential for a partial chimney collapse due to deterioration. The picture below was the neighbors home but the the neighbors chimney system was a life safety concern for the clients living on both sides (falling bricks can kill). As you can see, no one should be standing below that chimney! To summarize, please have your history chimney system inspected by a professional and ask them to take a quick peek at the neighbors chimney systems just to be safe.