Home renovation can be such an exciting opportunity! Out with the old and worn out and in with the new, sleek upgrades. They can mean making the most of the home that you love and creating a more livable and appropriate space for the things you like to do. Beyond that, home renovations can greatly improve the longevity of your home as well as the overall home value should you decide to sell in the future.
However, home renovations are no joke either. Many movies and home improvement shows skim over the real tough and dirty work and focus on characters laughing as they get into a paint war, some hip 80’s music as they move ladders around, or tears of joy as the work is finished and shown off. In reality, home renovation projects can take months and leave a portion of your home unusable during that time. They are fantastic when finished, but the process can be a real bear.
Perhaps one of the most dreaded things associated with home renovations is the risk of pulling back the carpet or wall and discovering a hazard. These finds can grind production to a halt and greatly increase the cost of home improvement. But they are necessary to deal with, so it is important to have a plan.
Understanding the Risks
There is a plethora of hazardous building materials that could be uncovered during any home renovation project. The mid-1900s brought hundreds of wondrous building materials that turned out to be a bit less than what they were cracked up to be. Materials such as lead, asbestos, PCBs, heavy metals, and radioactive products could turn up.
Most of the time, these materials aren’t too much of a hazard if left undisturbed. For example, asbestos — which was used heavily in construction between the 1940s and 1970s — is pretty safe if left untouched. However, if disturbed during a home renovation, the tiny particles can easily be breathed in and burrow deep into the lungs. Ultimately, asbestos exposure can cause all sorts of respiratory issues from asthma to certain types of cancer.
Sometimes it isn’t necessarily the materials used that are the concern, but rather the methods. Older wiring, for instance, can lead to all sorts of problems such as outlets and lights that randomly don’t work to increased fire risk. The electrical wiring in homes wasn’t originally intended to last more than 30-40 years, so considering electricity when starting a renovation project is well worth the extra time and money.
When to Call in Backup
Uncovering many of these unexpected hazards can mean significant changes to your home renovation plans. Oftentimes, fixing and cleaning up these hazards appropriately and safely can be a real challenge. It may be well worth the extra funding to call in a professional to help, especially if it is something that could put your family or home at risk if not completed properly.
Some situations may also warrant calling your insurance company. For example, if you are exposed to asbestos or other contaminants you could have some of the costs associated with fixing the problem and dealing with any serious health risks covered by your insurer. Take a moment to review your policy and determine if this is something you can do.
Finally, before doing any work or renovations on your home, try to make sure you know what you’re potentially getting into. Just like when you move into a new place, do an assessment. Review your home’s information and see if any asbestos or lead was reported in your mortgage purchase, check for leaks and their causes, review where electrical wiring likely is, and search out hazards that could exist.
With any luck, your renovations will be hazard-free, and you’ll be well on your way to the home you’ve always dreamed of living in!
Author Bio: Noah Rue is a freelance writer.
