Whether flipping a newly purchased property or simply maintaining your own home, you need to be on the lookout. While cosmetic remodels are where most people get to enjoy some creative liberties, you need to focus on the essentials first. Look out for these common safety hazards when remodeling.
Old Piping
Old piping can be the source of numerous problems. First of all, it can be deceptively dangerous – since it involves all of the water coming to your house, an old pipe that has traces of lead can actually poison you. It also presents problems that make it more difficult for even hired plumbers to address. While you may find advice online for taking care of old piping, you may want to talk to a professional plumber anyways. If you make a mistake when trying to replace it or fix it, you could end up in a potentially really difficult situation.
Electrical Wiring Problems
Problems with your electricity are even more outright dangerous than plumbing issues, for obvious reasons. In ninety-nine out of one hundred cases, it’s in your best interest to hire an electrician and leave the electricity problems to the professionals. Your life is not worth risking to cut some financial corners. The only exception is if you are an electrician yourself. Sometimes, the electrical system isn’t outright breaking, but it’s just getting old. If your electrical system is older, you should replace your wiring to make it more appealing. Updated electrical systems will be cheaper and easier to maintain in the long term.
Leaks and Cracks
Small openings that lead to the outside can be a hazard for many reasons. First of all, it will leave your stuff inside vulnerable to damage. Not to mention the house itself! A buildup of moisture can warp and rot away at the internal parts of walls and ceilings. This can also engender mold growth in places that aren’t often frequented, like attics, basements, and so on. When mold spores are breathed in, they can be toxic and hazardous – especially over long periods of time. Openings in your house also leave you vulnerable to pests of every kind, from insects to rodents.
Sometimes, remodeling is fun. Other times, remodeling is necessary. Ideally, your remodel will be both (although it’s not guaranteed that this will be likely). What’s important is that you have your priorities straight. Know when to spend money in order to maintain your home in tip-top shape.