An old, traditional house is interesting and attractive but if you want to live in that house more safely and comfortably, you will need to restore and redesign it. However, restoring your home is not as easy as you think. There are many things you have to consider and one of these is your health. Apparently, home restoration and your health have a significant relationship as there are certain materials that may undermine your health and safety. To make sure you’ll have a safe, convenient and worry-free home restoration, here are some of the things that may be toxic and unsafe and how you can deal with them safely.
1.Lead Paint
Lead paint is one of the most common hazards that can be found in any house, especially old ones. If your home was built before 1978 where lead use was not yet banned for painting homes, your house was likely painted using lead paint. Lead can cause neurological diseases and other health problems when you get exposed to it. If you are not sure if your house is painted with lead-based agents, you can do your own lead test or hired a reputable, EPA-licensed painter to do the test before they repaint your house.
2.Asbestos
Asbestos was addressed as a miracle product when it was first introduced due to its durability and other great qualities such as being completely fireproof. Nonetheless, asbestos can be toxic when ingested and exposure to it can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other health issues. Generally, asbestos is safe but if it is disturbed or damage, that’s when it can lead to health and safety hazards. Damaged asbestos can be repaired through enclosure or encapsulation and can be removed through air movers. However, make sure that the repair or removal of asbestos will be done by a licensed professional because as much as you want to save some bucks, you can’t risk your health and safety for your home restoration.
3.Mold
If your old house is not maintained well, mold has likely grown in your home. This is often caused by moisture from leaking roofs, bursting pipes and broken air movers. Mold can grow underneath carpets or wood flooring, behind walls or in your basement. Mould can be toxic especially the black mold which grows quickly in damp and warm environments. To get rid of it in your house, you can hire mold remediation professionals or you can do it yourself. You can simply scrub the surface mold away with bleach or water mold cleaner solution. You can use a pump sprayer to remove it under carpets and seal off the damaged area with plastic sheets.
4.Dust
Old houses tend to be dusty especially if it is abandoned or not well-maintained. Apparently, too much dust in your house can cause various health problems such as lung disease. Dust also has an impact on the quality of the air you breathe inside your house so before you restore your home, you have to get rid of all the dust through high-quality air movers. You can also use disinfecting wipes to clean various items and keep your hands clean after removing dust and grime in your home.
5.Dust Mites
When dust grows in your house, dust mites are also likely to flourish. Like bacteria and mold, dust mites also thrive on damp and warm areas like your carpets, soft furnishings, and other humid areas. They are highly allergenic and can be dangerous to people with asthma and other allergic reactions. To eliminate dust mites in your house, begin by cleaning all the surfaces with disinfecting wipes to get rid of dust and dander that dust mites depend on. You can also use air movers to remove dust mites in your bedding, carpet, and furniture.
6.Pollen
Pollen is another cause of allergies which occurs when the ventilation in your house is not properly maintained. They can be carried through open windows and doors and may come from your clothing or shoes. Though this is not as serious as the other toxic materials and insects in your house, they can still pose various health problems so you have to get rid of them right away. To do this, sweep or vacuum. The cleaner your path or patio is, the less likely someone is to track dust or pollen into your house. Once the pollens are gone, always keep your windows closed and install new insulation as a part of your home restoration.
7. Moisture
Moisture is one of the common causes of various health hazards in your home. This is why you have to prevent your home from moisture by using proper ventilation and keeping track of the humidity in all parts of your house. First, you should prevent them from happening andbad plumbing is something to look out for. Once any malfunctioning pipe is discovered, you need to repair or replace it. Moreover, you can wrap sweating pipes with foam pipe insulation tubes. And in order to remove the moisture from the air, the use of dehumidifier is the best solution to it.
