If your home was built before the late 1970’s, chances are there may be some health risks that may affect you, especially if you are considering a major renovation. This will not be a weekend DIY project! let a professional renovator handle the job.
Some hazards that may affect a renovation and that need to be handled by a professional renovator are:
Lead Paint. Lead-based paints were banned in 1978, but by that time lead based paints were used in almost every American home. If your home was built before 1980, any extensive renovation could introduce potentially harmful particles in the home.
Asbestos. Until the late 1970’s, more than 3,000 products containing asbestos were commonly used in house construction. If your home was built before then, chances are that even a small renovation project will stir up some asbestos. Asbestos that is frayed or crumbled is a clear heath risk.
Radon. Radon is a gas that can seep up from the soil through cracks and crevices beneath and around a home. It is odorless, tasteless, and has been linked to lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Experienced home renovation contractors are trained to detect and safely remove these any other potentially hazardous materials during a renovation. Before you start you renovation, have your home inspected for these and other existing and potential problems.
Professional home renovators are licensed and trained to deal with hazardous materials that can be dangerous unless handled by a trained professional.