In today’s economic climate, it makes sense to look for every opportunity to cut corners on spending especially when it comes to a large home remodel project. Whether you’re simply taking out a wall or remodeling the entire house, safety is one area that should not be compromised. If you’re considering taking on such a project, read the following safety tips first.
Perspective
As you plan your remodeling project, view the demolition portion of it to be a project in itself. Don’t think of it as something quick that you do just to get it out of the way in order to move on to the ‘official’ project. Demolition work, like anything else, takes time and planning to do it correctly and safely.
So, make sure that you schedule enough time for the demolition set up, the demolition itself, and the demolition clean up. Have the debris bin set up ahead of time as you’ll need somewhere to put the material once you’ve removed it!
Gas, Power and Water
Before you begin the remodeling project, make sure you know what’s behind the walls and under the floors. You don’t want to cut into any gas, power, or water lines, even if they’ve been shut off. Gas and water can still be trapped inside, so proceed with caution, and have a safety plan in place to contend with any unforeseen circumstances.
Of course, that brings up one of the most obvious tip: Make sure that all water and gas valves, as well as the electricity, are completely shut off. Check them more than once since it’s always possible that the valve wasn’t completely shut off the first time. This is critical to the safety of the project.
Protection
Here’s an area where it’s important not to skimp. Spend a little extra when buying safety gear. For example, it seems obvious, but getting the right pair of boots can go a long way in protecting your feet from falling debris, unseen floor hazards, like construction nails and glass, and the traction on the boots will keep you from slipping and falling. If you do get hurt because you failed to properly consider safety, there’s really no recourse, and the job simply stops. It’s not as if a do-it-yourselfer in Missouri who injures himself can call up a personal injury attorney in Kansas City!
Also, invest in a good quality air respirator to ward off potential exposure to lead paint, black mold, and asbestos, among other airborne hazards. The dangers of exposure to airborne contaminants cannot be overstated.
Asbestos
In the case of asbestos, no threshold of exposure has been established as being safe. What this means is that, anyone who is exposed to any amount of airborne asbestos particles for any length of time is susceptible to developing potentially deadly diseases and conditions.
Exposure to asbestos increases the likelihood of developing diseases and severe health conditions, such as mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer), lung cancer, and asbestosis. In most cases, lung cancer and asbestosis don’t appear for 15 years or more after exposure to asbestos, and mesothelioma often isn’t developed until 30 years or longer after asbestos exposure. So, as you can see, the negative health effects continue to progress well after direct exposure to the asbestos has ended.
Black Mold
Black mold, which is called toxic mold because of the damage it causes to living things, is a parasitic substance that can be found in buildings just about everywhere. When the mycotoxin, or poison, that is released by this mold is released into the air, it adversely affects the health of anyone who comes in contact with it, either through touch or inhalation.
The mold spores become lodged in the respiratory system, causing asthmatic symptoms, flu-like symptoms, and nasal drip, among other things. Aspergillus, which is a common type of black mold, can form a fungal ball that will live in the lungs and release potentially fatal carcinogens.
The risk of damage to the nervous system is also widely known. In fact, the mycotoxin of black mold is so damaging that it has even been considered for use as an agent in chemical warfare.
When planning a do-it-yourself remodel, preparation and safety should be at the top of your checklist. That way, you’re sure to come out of it intact and live to enjoy the results of your hard work for years to come.
When in doubt, play it safe and hire a professional home remodeling contractor. We are experienced in remodeling safety and prepared to handle any problems that may arise! ~ Gary B.
