Remodeling an old house is necessary to maintain the living standard of its inhabitants, but you have to consider a number of environment issues before starting the renovation work. Some of the old household items can be a cause for health issues and they must be replaced immediately. You should also check the health-related hazards before installing something new in the house like window and outdoor awnings.From the paints you use to the old roof covering, anything can cause health problems, if not taken care of properly during remodeling.
Here I will highlight some home environment issues and their solutions. Pay attention to them when remodeling work starts.
# Asbestos should not be used: Asbestos is used in a number of building construction materials for insulation. It’s a mineral fiber and the root of many diseases. In most of the countries, governments have banned the use of asbestos and manufacturershave also obeyed the policy. However, in old homes, asbestos can still be found.
If there are asbestos shingles and millboard in your house, remove them during the renovation work. Ask the contractor to remove asbestos materials with care because if he tries to slice asbestos materials without proper protection, the mineral fiber can go airborne. Flying asbestos can cause a disease named asbestosis and even lung cancer. Therefore, it’s better to stay at someplace else while the contractor removes items made with this dangerous element.
# Carefully remove lead paints: If your house was last painted 30 years ago, you can be absolutely certain that the paint used back then contained lead. Painting the house is an indispensible part of remodeling, but the old paint must be removed very carefully. Dry scalping and sanding for paint removal can result in lead dust and children can get severely affected due to it.
Lead is so dangerous that it can delay the physical and mental development of a child if he inhales it. Therefore, you must separate the remodeling areas from the living area. Use barriers and ventilation machine so that residents’ well being can be maintained. Ask the kids to wash their hands before eating any food.
# Septic system must be checked thoroughly: Most city homes are connected with sewers but in small towns, most of the houses have a septic tank for waste disposal. If you live in suburbs and have septic tanks in your house, hire professionals for septic tank inspection during remodeling to make sure that everything is fine. Repairing or replacing the septic tank is a costly affair; however, if experts tell you that something is wrong and can lead to a health hazard in a few years, its better to invest in repair work.
# Noise pollution reduction: Remodeling is always noisy and can be very disturbing for your neighbors. Therefore, you should try to keep the noise as low as possible and talk with the contractor about this. Suggest him to start the work after 9 am and ask him not to use powered mechanical equipments or hammering work between 7pm and 7am.
Try to use green building materials for your house remodeling. Eco-friendly products are not costly anymore and by using them, you can ensure the health safety of your family members.