4 Hidden Dangers When Renovating Your Home
Renovating your home can be exciting, especially at the thought of upgrading your home with fresh new rooms and furnishings. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. It requires a lot of hard work, and just like any construction site, you might be at risk of putting yourself in danger. About 13 million Americans report getting injured while working on home repairs and restoration. Sounds quite daunting, right?
Well, the truth is, you cannot wholly avoid accidents. They are, after all, unexpected occurrences. What you can do, on the other hand, is to minimize your risk of injury. Your home may be looking spotless at first glance, but you don’t know what could be going on inside those walls or pipes. Here’s what you need to prepare for yourself for those dangerous surprises.
- Safety hazards
A hazard is an item or situation that could harm people, and construction sites typically use guidelines to reduce the risk of sustaining injuries. Therefore, constructors are more familiar with these safety measures. That might not be the same for you, especially if you are not a constructor or working with one. If you’re not familiar with these safety rules and regulations, your chances of getting injured are much higher. For example, if you’re working on wiring, you might expose yourself to possible electrocution, or leaving exposed wires and putting other people at risk. What you can do is to hire an experienced constructor for high-risk tasks.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
VOCs are gases that emit chemicals and can be found in many home restoration materials such as paints, upholstery, and carpets. It’s most likely responsible for that weird smell, which lingers in your rooms after you paint or install a new carpet. Many of these gases are known carcinogens, meaning they can cause cancer in the long term. They can also trigger headaches or asthma attacks. When working with VOC materials, you must wear a mask to stop you from inhaling its fumes.
- Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and pollutant that causes very deadly diseases through inhalation, and about 90 thousand people die globally each year from asbestos. The mineral in itself is not harmful but is only so when it becomes friable (easy to crumble). The older your home, the more likely your house might have asbestos. Usually, your home seller must inform you of potential asbestos risk. But suppose they don’t and you do discover this element in your home. In that case, you may be able to sue the previous owner based on negligence with the backing of a firm offering quality legal representation. Ensure that you and your household wear masks while renovating your home to protect yourselves from the risk of getting lung cancer or asbestosis.
- Creatures
You might have some unwelcome visitors living in your home, depending on where you live. In more dry and arid areas, you are more likely to find scorpions or snakes sharing your home with you rent-free. You might also find a wasp’s home or a beehive secretly lodged inside your walls. Some of these animals can be potentially dangerous, especially when they attack. You can protect yourself by wearing full clothing and not exposing your face, arms, or legs. Ideally, you should contact professional exterminators to help you get rid of them.
Hopefully, these tips will help prepare for the unexpected when you start renovating your home. Ideally, it would be best for you to hire professional services. However, if you are on a tight budget, try a more DIY approach.