Do-It-Yourself Home Renovation Projects That Should be Avoided
Guest Post
It seems like everyone is doing their own do-it-yourself home renovations these days. Whether it is renovating the exterior or interior of a home, an apartment or condo, these types of projects sometimes expose homeowners and their families to toxins and other hazardous materials. Before setting out to do any type of home renovation projects, it is always important to evaluate any and all health hazards that may be present before getting started.
Common Wall Renovation Health Hazards
If you are going to be removing any walls or removing paint and your home is an older home, then you want to make sure that you will not be exposing yourself and your family to common hazardous materials like asbestos or lead paint.
If you do not want to call in a contractor to do the testing, then you should consider purchasing a do-it-yourself lead paint test that you can administer on your own. If your home tests positive for lead-based paint, then you will need to call in a contractor. This is because lead paint is extremely hazardous. You should never attempt to remove any lead-based paint on your own. This is one job you should leave for the experts.
Asbestos Must be Removed by a Licensed Contractor Before Completing Any Projects
In addition to lead based paint, another hazard you have to be concerned about is asbestos. Like lead paint, asbestos is also a hazardous material that is often present in older homes. If your home was built before 1970, then there is a chance that asbestos may be present. Unlike lead paint that is only present in paint, asbestos can be found in many different places in an older home. Asbestos can often be found in vinyl flooring, insulation, siding, roofing materials and other materials. If asbestos is found anywhere in your house, it must be removed by a licensed contractor. This is because asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma.
To determine if asbestos is present in a home, you can purchase an asbestos testing kit. However, if you suspect that asbestos may be present any place in your home or apartment, then you should consider contacting an expert who will do the asbestos testing for you.
Other Hazardous Do-It-Yourself Projects to Avoid
When it comes to do-it-yourself projects, you should always stay away from any projects that present a hazard to both you and your family. In addition to lead based paint and asbestos, you want to be very careful with projects that involve gas or electricity. This is particularly true if you do not have any experience working with steel tubing, gas pipes or electricity.
If you have plans to do any renovations or remodeling, then you should take the time to identify any potential health hazards that may exist prior to starting a project. If you suspect that your house main contain lead paint or asbestos, then you should postpone working on any project. This is true even if your project is limited to one part of your home. By taking precautions before starting any do-it-yourself project, you will keep both yourself and your family safe.
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