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Common Problems in 1950s–1970s Louisiana Homes
(What to Expect Before You Remodel in South Louisiana) Homes built in the 1950s–1970s are everywhere across South Louisiana. They’re often in great locations, have solid bones, and can be beautiful remodel projects — but they also come with a set of “normal problems” that newer homes don’t. If you’re planning a remodel on a 1950s–1970s home, this post will help you understand: ✅ what issues are common✅ what’s actually worth fixing✅ what catches homeowners off guard✅ how to pl
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Pier & Beam vs Slab Foundations — Explained Simply
(What South Louisiana Homeowners Should Know Before Remodeling) If you’re planning a remodel in South Louisiana, your foundation type matters more than most people realize. Homeowners often hear terms like: “pier and beam” “raised home” “crawl space” “slab” …and it can get confusing fast. So let’s break it down in plain language: ✅ what each foundation type is✅ what problems are common in South Louisiana✅ what it means for remodeling costs and surprises What Is a Pier & Beam
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Remodeling Raised Homes in South Louisiana: What to Expect
(How to Avoid Expensive Surprises and Build Something That Lasts) Raised homes are a huge part of South Louisiana. They’re common in: older neighborhoods flood-prone areas historic communities homes built with pier & beam or crawl space foundations And they can be some of the most charming houses you’ll ever step in…but remodeling them requires a different mindset than remodeling a slab home. If you’re planning a remodel on a raised home, here’s what you should expect — in pl
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


What “That Smell” Means in a Crawl Space or Raised Home
(South Louisiana Homeowners: Here’s What to Watch For) If you have a raised home (crawl space) in South Louisiana, you might know the smell. It’s hard to describe, but homeowners say things like: “It smells like damp dirt.” “It smells like an old shed.” “It smells musty under the house.” “Sometimes the whole house smells like it.” “It’s worse after rain.” That odor isn’t just unpleasant — it’s information. ✅ Crawl space smell usually means moisture is living under your home ✅
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Why Bathrooms Stay Humid No Matter the Fan
(What’s Really Going On in South Louisiana Homes) If your bathroom stays humid even when the fan is running, you’re not alone. A lot of South Louisiana homeowners deal with: mirrors staying fogged forever walls feeling damp towels that never fully dry mildew showing up quickly paint peeling near the ceiling musty smells that keep returning And you might think: “But the fan is on… why isn’t it working?” Here’s the truth:✅ Many bathroom fans are not actually removing moisture
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Floors Buckling or Cupping in Summer — Why It Happens
(And What South Louisiana Homeowners Should Do About It) If your floors start doing weird things in the summer — you’re not alone. In South Louisiana, many homeowners notice: wood floors “cupping” (edges raised) boards swelling and tightening up planks pushing up or buckling gaps disappearing (or showing up later) floating floors shifting or popping It can be scary, especially if the floor was expensive or “not that old.” But here’s the truth: ✅ Most summer floor problems are
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Why Caulk and Paint Fail Faster in Humid Climates
(What South Louisiana Homeowners Should Know Before a Remodel) If you live in South Louisiana, you’ve probably dealt with this: caulk cracking way too soon paint peeling on trim gaps reappearing after “fresh work” mildew stains in corners joints separating even after you fixed them And it’s frustrating because you might think: “I literally just caulked/painted that.” The truth is:In humid climates, caulk and paint don’t just fail because of time…They fail because of movement
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Cracks That Appear and Disappear With the Seasons
(What’s Normal in South Louisiana Homes — and What’s Not) If you’ve ever noticed cracks in your home that seem to “come and go,” you’re not crazy. A lot of South Louisiana homeowners see: small drywall cracks that show up in summer trim seams opening up caulk lines cracking cracks that get worse, then look better later This is one of the most common things we hear from homeowners, especially in older houses. The key question is: ✅ Is this normal seasonal movement?or⚠️ Is this
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Soft or Spongy Floors in Older Homes — Warning Signs
(What It Usually Means in South Louisiana & What to Do Next) If your floor feels soft , bouncy , or spongy in certain areas, it’s a sign you shouldn’t ignore — especially in an older South Louisiana home. This doesn’t always mean your house is “unsafe”……but it does mean something is happening underneath that needs attention. The faster you identify the cause, the easier (and cheaper) it usually is to fix. Let’s break it down in plain language. What “Soft Floors” Can Feel Li
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Why Mold Comes Back Even After You Clean or Remodel
(And How to Stop the Cycle in South Louisiana Homes) If you’ve ever cleaned mold, repainted, replaced drywall, or even remodeled a bathroom…and then a few months later it starts coming back — you’re not alone. In South Louisiana, this is one of the most common (and most frustrating) homeowner problems. And here’s the truth: ✅ Mold is rarely the real problem❌ Mold is usually the symptom ✅ The real problem is moisture staying too long, too often Let’s break down why it returns
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Doors That Stick Every Summer — What’s Really Happening
(And How to Fix It Without Replacing Every Door) If your doors stick in the summer, rub the frame, or won’t latch right… you’re not alone. In South Louisiana, this is one of the most common homeowner complaints — especially in older homes. But here’s the good news: ✅ A sticking door does not automatically mean your house is “falling apart”✅ It also doesn’t always mean you need a new door✅ It usually means something is moving (and it can often be corrected) Let’s break down
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Wood Rot Around Windows: Causes Most Homeowners Miss
(And How to Fix It the Right Way in South Louisiana) If you’ve noticed soft wood, peeling paint, or swelling trim around your windows — you’re not alone. In South Louisiana, window wood rot is one of the most common problems homeowners face, especially in older homes. And here’s the frustrating part: ✅ A lot of people replace the trim✅ Repaint everything✅ Caulk it up …and the rot comes back. That’s because the root cause is usually NOT the window itself — it’s the way water
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Why Paint Peels and Bubbles Faster in Louisiana Homes
(And How to Stop It From Happening Again) If you live in South Louisiana, you’ve probably seen it: paint bubbling up in spots peeling around windows and doors flaking trim paint that “should’ve lasted longer” blistering or soft paint on exterior wood caulk lines cracking open way too soon And the frustrating part is… it can happen even with expensive paint and “fresh prep.” In most cases, paint failure isn’t because the paint is bad.It ’s because the conditions underneath ar
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Musty Smells in Older Homes — What They Usually Mean
(And How to Fix the Cause, Not Just Cover It Up) If you live in South Louisiana and your home has that musty “old house” smell , you’re not alone. Most homeowners try: candles air fresheners plug-ins extra cleaning …and the smell still comes back . That’s because musty odor is almost never just “a smell.”It’s usually a sign of moisture + trapped air + organic material somewhere in the house. Let’s break it down in plain language. What Does “Musty” Usually Mean? That musty sm
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Why Homes in South Louisiana Feel Damp Inside (And What Actually Fixes It)
If you live in South Louisiana and your house feels damp, clammy, or “sticky” inside , you’re not imagining it. A lot of homeowners assume it’s just “Louisiana being Louisiana”… but the truth is:✅ There are real causes ✅ There are real fixes ✅ And some “fixes” actually make it worse This post will explain what’s going on in plain language so you can make smart decisions before spending money on the wrong solution. What Does “Damp Inside” Really Mean? Homeowners describe it li
Cajun Conservation
2 days ago4 min read


Open-Concept vs. Traditional Layouts: What Works Best in Cajun Homes?
Cajun and Acadian homes are known for their cozy rooms, steep roofs, raised foundations, and wide galleries . But as modern living evolves, many homeowners across Acadiana, Lafayette, and South Louisiana are wondering: “Should I open up my floor plan… or keep the traditional Cajun layout?” Both options have benefits — and the right choice depends on your home’s age, structure, and lifestyle. At Cajun Conservation , we remodel both historic and modern homes while preserving t
Cajun Conservation
Dec 20, 20253 min read


Why Raised Foundations Are Essential in Cajun Architecture
When people picture Cajun or Acadian homes , they often imagine steep roofs, wide porches, and charming shiplap interiors. But one of the most important architectural features — and the most commonly misunderstood — is the raised foundation . From Acadia Parish to Lafayette and across all of Acadiana, raised foundations have protected Louisiana homes for centuries. At Cajun Conservation , we specialize in remodeling and repairing raised homes, and we see daily why this featu
Cajun Conservation
Dec 19, 20253 min read


Cost to Add a Bedroom or Home Addition in South Louisiana (2025 Guide)
Adding a bedroom or expanding your living space is one of the best ways to increase your home’s value — especially in Acadiana , where growing families, retirees, and investors often need additional space without sacrificing Cajun architectural charm. But additions in Louisiana come with unique considerations, including humidity, raised foundations, historic design features, and strict permitting. At Cajun Conservation , we design and build home additions that blend seamlessl
Cajun Conservation
Dec 18, 20253 min read


Kitchen Layouts That Work Best for Cajun-French Homes
Kitchens are the heart of every Cajun home — where gumbo simmers, family gathers, and generations share tradition. But Cajun and Creole homes weren’t originally designed for modern appliances or open layouts. Whether you live in a historic Acadian cottage or a modern farmhouse, choosing the right kitchen layout is key to blending heritage with comfort. At Cajun Conservation , we remodel kitchens across South Louisiana with layouts that fit both your lifestyle and your home’s
Cajun Conservation
Dec 17, 20253 min read


How Long Does a Home Remodel Take in Louisiana? Project Timelines Explained
If you’re planning a home remodel anywhere in South Louisiana , one of the first questions you’ll ask is: “How long will this take?” The answer depends on the scope , the condition of the home , and the type of project , especially in areas like Acadiana where humidity, older homes, and Cajun-French architecture affect construction timelines. At Cajun Conservation , we remodel everything from historic Acadian cottages to modern family homes, and we understand how to set reali
Cajun Conservation
Dec 17, 20253 min read
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