Old House Renovations

When you renovate an old home, you can end up dealing with some pretty scary situations. Remember that no matter how great the home is or how costly it is to get professionals to do a job, your health is more valuable than anything else! Before you take on some home renovation projects, take the time to make sure you are being safe.

• Never use a heat gun to remove layers of old paint. If you’re in a closed room, this is doubly important. Unless you’ve had the layers of paint tested and can guarantee that they are all non-toxic, lead free paints, you’re going to be breathing in a nasty chemical mess. Also avoid scraping or sanding paint that hasn’t been tested for lead. If you do decide to scrape your paint, please wear protective gear and do not let children or pregnant women come into the area until the room has been thoroughly cleaned.
• Think twice before grabbing old wiring. Many old homes were wired with asbestos covered electrical wires.
• Use caution when crawling around in dark areas. We had a black widow spider nest in our garage when we moved in because the previous owners were storing a stack of half rotten wood in the building. Thankfully, the person who made the discovery was wearing long sleeves and gloves.
• Always follow safety instructions when operating any tools or climbing ladders. A few seconds of prevention can mean years of renovating fun.

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