A renovation is put under way for two reasons: either to make the area look more aesthetically pleasing or to make the area more functional. Sometimes both reasons make sense. But no matter the cause, a renovation will always improve your home’s overall seller market value.
If you’ve made the next move to conduct a renovation to make your home more beautiful with a high ROI, that’s great. There’s just one thing you need to consider before going any further: Safety.
Safety is crucial to any home remodeling project, no matter what room you’ve chosen to change. So let’s get into some awesome safety tips that you can adopt every step of the way to keep you and those around you guarded.
Before the renovation …
Here are a few things to note before you get things rolling:
- Clothing: Cover yourself from head to toe if you’re going to be involved in any spraying. That includes paint, mold removal, herbicides, etc. Think closed-toe shoes, long pants with socks, long-sleeved shirts, and gloves.
- Ears & Eyes: Your senses are pretty important, so shielding them from any harm is pretty important, too. Get the right earplugs and safety glasses that fit snug.
- Ladder: Watch out for it and be careful with it. Follow the 4-to-1 rule and never go deeper than a 75% incline. Have someone spotting you for extra precautions.
During the renovation…
Safety needs to be present in the midst of any remodel project. Some tips to consider are here:
- Ventilation: Open windows and doors or use a fan to air out fumes, especially if you’re using paint. The last thing you want is a bad headache, some dizziness, or a bit of lung irritation in the middle of working.
- Dust: It’s going to happen; every good renovation has piles and piles of dust, so be aware. Drywall, insulation, plaster, and standing all cause it. Even carpet removal can cause the nasty dust particles to swirl the surrounding air. It’s best to wear a mask when doing any of these tasks. P.S. If you need to go outside for a breather, feel free to do so. Just shake yourself out before re-entry.
- Eco-Friendly: Go as green as you can with things like paints, cleaners, varnishes, and paint thinners so that you and those around you can breathe better throughout the entire process.
- Hotel: Our best tip would be to head out to a hotel for sleeping with the fam. There’s no need for you to be around the debris and dust overnight with the kiddos, especially if a fresh coat of paint was just applied. Just be sure to grab the safest stroller in town if you’re halling little ones.
At the end of the renovation …
Staying safe until the end should always be a priority. Here are some tips to put under your belt:
- Walls: Just because they have fresh paint on them doesn’t mean they’re 100% clean. Do a dry dusting to get any loose particles out. If you didn’t do a paint job, just wipe down the walls with a damp towel before rearranging the room and organizing it.
- Vacuum: Carpets suck up dust, so get that vacuum out and go over all rug areas multiple times. The same goes for upholstered furniture, even if there were plastic coverings over the pieces. As for wood surfaces or tile flooring, be sure to use a mop and get all that dirt and debris out of the house. Remember, dust is tricky and knows how to place itself in even the smallest of hiding places.
- Air Filters: We’ve talked about dirt, dust, and debris a time or two in this article, and we’re here to bring it up again. The most important part of cleaning up is changing those air filters, as all that gunk can accumulate pretty quick in those things. Plus, who doesn’t want to breathe cleaner, fresher air?
