10 Safety Tips When Renovating a Home
If you’re planning to renovate your kitchen, bathroom, or another area of your home, you’re likely most concerned about the design, your budget, and all the tools and supplies you’ll need to get the job done. However, safety should also at the top of your priority list because a renovation project will never get done right if you’re using unsafe practices or cutting corners on important tasks.
At Central Plumbing Supplies, we want to make sure you are as safe as possible with each new renovation you take on. Here are some construction safety tips and plumbing safety tips to keep in mind as you begin any new home renovation project with a DIY approach.
1. Wear the Right Clothes
Different kinds of remodeling jobs require different kinds of clothing depending on how intense they are and what chemicals are used. As a general rule, long pants, long-sleeve shirts, and gloves are best for any projects that require paint or chemicals so you don’t expose your skin to toxins. Sturdy footwear is needed for any heavy lifting or installation processes to keep toes safe at all times.
2. Protect Your Ears and Eyes
It’s also important to keep your eyes and ears safe during home projects because this type of work often causes loud noises and flying debris. Wear safety goggles for your eyes and earplugs for your ears if you are sawing, drilling, spraying or around a lot of noise. You only have one set of eyes to see and ears to hear, so it’s your responsibility to always keep them protected.
3. Learn Good Ladder Safety
Among our construction safety tips is to practice good ladder safety because these tools can cause devastating falls and injuries. Keep the bottom of your ladder about one foot from the wall for every four feet of ladder you are using. Have a "spotter" on the ground to help stabilize the ladder and inform you of any concerns.
4. Read Instructions Before Beginning
One of the best plumbing safety tips to keep in mind is to always read the instructions of what you’re working on before moving forward. This is especially true if you are putting in a new shower, tub, toilet, or faucet. Even if you’ve done similar installations in the past, every product is different and comes with its own unique set of challenges. It’s also highly recommended to only use high-quality materials that are resistant to breaking and installation damage, such as the products offered by Central Plumbing Specialties.
5. Ensure Proper Ventilation
Ventilation is important in a house all throughout the year, but it is especially crucial while working on a renovation project. Having a good air flow will ensure that paint fumes are released from your room, as well as dust and other chemical particles in the air that can cause headaches and dizziness. Also, try to minimize the amount of dust you are creating in your project to reduce the risk of lung irritation.
6. Use Eco-Friendly Products
As much as possible, opt for natural, organic, and eco-friendly cleaning products and renovation supplies. You can choose paints that have low or no volatile chemicals, for example, to reduce your chemical exposure. Also look for "greener" versions of paint thinner and varnish.
7. Take Breaks and Get Out
You might be in a rush to get your project done, but it’s very important to take frequent breaks for your health. Not only will breaks help you stretch out tired and cramped muscles from lifting or hunching over, but they will also help you breathe easier after being surrounded by dust and chemicals. While you wait for chemicals to set or paint to try, plan to avoid that room when you’re not working. This may mean sleeping in a different room of the house or going to a hotel for a night or two.
8. Properly Store Away Tools and Materials
Tools and construction supplies lying around the house pose health and safety hazards for you, your family, kids, and pets. After your work for the day is done, make sure to pick up and put away all objects that are sharp, prone to spills, or otherwise potentially hazardous. Close off rooms that are a work-in-progress so that children or pets don’t accidentally wander in and get into something dangerous. Once your project is entirely done, do a thorough cleaning, dusting, and vacuuming of the space to get rid of any lingering fumes or chemical materials.
9. Understand Relevant Safety Codes
Established safety codes are in place for a reason and should never be ignored. People who live in older homes must often bring features "up to code" to comply with city regulations, so learn about what those are before taking on any major project.
10. Have First-Aid Supplies Available
Even with the very best safety precautions, accidents can and do happen. For minor slip-ups, cuts, and splinters, keep a first-aid kit in your house to address injuries. Important things to have in your first-aid kit are adhesive bandages, gauze, a cold compress, scissors, tweezers, ointment, hand sanitizer, finger splints, and exam gloves. Also, always keep a cell phone nearby when you’re working on a renovation project in case a more serious accident occurs that requires you calling a family member or 911 for help.