Remodeling Your Home Safely

Whether you have bought a fixer upper or have a room you would like to change many people toy with the idea of doing the work themselves. It can save you tons of money as well as giving you a sense of accomplishment when you are finished. When doing a home remodeling project you are probably aware of the dangers saw blades and nail guns can pose but are you aware of the more subtle things that can be just as deadly?

One of these hidden dangers you are probably aware of, but you still need to treat it with respect and caution. What is it? It’s commonly called asbestos and it can be deadly if not handled correctly. It is usually found in insulation and some building materials that were made before 1990. If inhaled the tiny mineral fibers can lead to lung cancer. If you think the room or house that you are working on contains asbestos do not attempt to remove it yourself . This is one home improvement project that you should never attempt to do. By looking in the yellow pages you can usually find a company that will remove it for you or go online and search for a asbestos removal company. They have the necessary tools, resources and knowledge to do the job safely. Make sure you are getting a quality company by asking for references and any federal or state licenses that are required.

Another culprit that you need to watch out for is lead. Even small amounts can be harmful especially to young children. Lead around your home will most likely be found in paint that was manufactured before the 1980’s, but it can also be found in plumbing and fixtures as well as some older children’s toys. You can probably safely paint over lead and be okay but avoid sanding or scraping it. If you live in an older home began replacing the plumbing and faucets as soon as possible. To help prevent lead from getting in your drinking water purchase and install a water filter that removes lead. Some experts suggest that you let the tap run for 30 seconds to flush out the lead before using the water for cooking or drinking. If you do decide to remove lead paint from your home it’s best to let a certified specialist do the work for you.

Arsenic is something else that you will want to watch out for. Especially damaging to the kidneys so be careful. You’ll most likely find arsenic in pressure treated wood that was used to build decks and play sets. It has been phased out since 2004. Surprisingly some now banned weed killers and rat poison are responsible for alleviated levels of arsenic in the soil. When staining or sealing wood containing arsenic be sure to wear an approved respirator mask for the job.
There are new and safer wood preservatives on the market today so check with your local lumber yard or do it yourself center for the best alternatives to arsenic.

While as yet there are no long term health effects associated with fiberglass it can be quite irritating in the short run. Fiberglass is found in insulation in most homes. When handling it be sure to wear a well fitting mask as well as a good pair of work gloves. Safety glasses and a long sleeve shirt are also a must. This will go along way to reducing irritation to your eyes, nose and throat. A alternative to fiberglass insulation might be the use of a pulp based insulation called Cellulose. The one draw back to this is that it usually requires professional installation which might make the cost prohibitive.

Whatever you choose to do around your house make sure safety is always your number one concern. While many things can be done by yourself make sure you don’t cut corners as far as safety is concerned. Call in qualified professional help for those jobs that might be to much for you. There will still be many jobs that you can tackle on your own giving you a sense of accomplishment and pride.