DIY is not only fun but can also be budget friendly. Fixing up and beautifying your home is a wonderful thing in so many ways, however there are some hidden dangers to doing home improvement projects on your own.
23% of people surveyed are planning on carrying out a DIY project in 2017 yet only 4% of people surveyed thought sawing large pieces of MDF/ treated woods posed an extreme health risk, while 30% of people answered ‘don’t know’ when asked what causes mesothelioma. See? There’s a lot to consider before getting into a home improvement project.
Homeowners are often putting themselves in the direct path of hazardous chemicals and other byproducts that can cause them and their families harm. Whether it’s chronic allergies, increased asthma attacks, or even cancers, some building materials can be very dangerous and homeowners should be aware when dealing with them so they can renovate as safely as possible.
Lead-based paint
Although new homes pose no risk of exposure to lead based paints, those built in the early 70s and prior, do. And let’s face it, it’s the older homes that most people are renovating. Over time exposure to lead in these paints can cause damage to the heart, as well as the central nervous, lymphatic and reproductive systems. It has also been found that lead is particularly damaging to a child’s development and can lead to learning disabilities. And let’s not forget about the four-legged family members; lead can be as harmful to your pets as to you.
Mold
Depending on where you live, your house might be very susceptible to mold that grows in dark, cold, wet places. A homeowner in say New Jersey will have much more problems with mold than a homeowner in Arizona, where the climate tends to be warmer and dryer.
Mold is ubiquitous and can be found in crawl spaces, inside of walls, surrounding pipes and anyplace else that holds moisture. And mold can cause a lot of health problems for people, particularly those with allergies and asthma. If you’ve recently moved into a house and have experienced an increase in coughing, nasal discharge and irritated throat and eyes, there’s a good chance you have a mold problem.
It is advisable to wear a face mask if you believe your house has a mold problem. And though you may want to do your renovations yourself, mold can be a real problem to not only your health but the structure of your home, so it’s always better to seek the advice of professionals.
Asbestos
Another common hazard found in older homes is asbestos. Back in the day asbestos was used to prevent the spread of fire and is generally found in a home’s insulation, roofing, ductwork, floors and around pipes. Exposure to asbestos can lead to a specific cancer called mesothelioma.
Like lead, asbestos is transmitted through the air via inhalable dusts. For this reason if you suspect you have asbestos in your home you should wear a mask and the work area should be kept as dust-free as possible.
Research has shown that whilst 45% of the 2098 asked, were happy to drill into walls, only 5% consider this activity as a serious risk to
their health. And you might have agreed with them, but drilling into walls, a day-to-day task can be fatal if your house contains asbestos.
While exposed pipes and stripped-back walls are aesthetically pleasing, don’t let it come at a cost to your long-term health. Only 23% of people would consider carrying out electrical or plumbing work as having a serious risk to their health, but asbestos found within these places, especially pipe insulation, is a hidden risk that can’t be ignored.
What Other Steps Can You Take to Have a Healthy DIY Project?
It’s not enough to try and avoid the possible toxic materials already in your house, you should take measures to keep other harmful chemicals out of your house as well. Any varnishes, paints or stains should be either low VOC or, preferably, no VOC. Many VOCs, such as benzene, xylene and formaldehyde are carcinogenics and neurotoxic and can cause everything from headaches to breathing difficulties to cancer.
Although they cost less than hard woods, particle boards and plywood both contain formaldehyde-based resins which are used to bind the wood together. If these materials are used in the home they can actually emit harmful gases into the environment year after year.
Another harmful building material in many homes is vinyl flooring. Sure, it may cost less and be somewhat easy to clean, but the PVSs in the flooring have been linked to hormone disruptions. If at all possible, avoiding using these harmful materials listed. If budget does not allow for this, try and use materials in rooms that children will spend little time in.
Make the Renovations Off-Limits to Your Family
Kids, pets and pregnant women should not be exposed to the dust and debris from renovations. If friends are helping you with the project, make a separate entrance and exit that workers will come and go through every day and make sure this pathway is not used by your family.
Also, remove rugs, furniture and drapery from the room you will work on as well as turn off all heating and air conditioning systems which will only add to the dust distribution.
Seal off the renovation areas with plastic to help keep dust and debris from getting into other areas of the house.
And, at the end of each day, be sure to clean up the area with mops and wet rags and get rid of any dust and debris from the day’s work, being sure to always wear a protective mask.
It may be impossible to avoid coming into contact with dangerous materials while attempting DIY projects, especially in older homes, but by taking certain precautions you can make sure you and your family are protected.
This post was a collaboration with SlaterGordon.co.UK
