Take steps to protect yourself.
Home improvement projects can pose some health risks. First, dust generated from sanding, installing insulation and drywalling, and applying and sanding plaster, can irritate the airways of those with lung problems, such as asthma. Flooring can also create health problems since, according to Connie Wong, Air Quality Coordinator, Toronto Lung Association, “Removing carpets releases vast volumes of particulates that way to the lungs, while the laying of floors sometimes requires the use of solid glues and adhesives which can give off gases and vapours which would cause dizziness, fatigue and nausea.
Paint also contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals released as gases that cause fatigue, headaches, nausea, and skin and lung irritation. Additionally, paint thinners, strippers, and varnishes contain solvents that can irritate the lungs and skin and cause headaches and dizziness.
Not exposing yourself to these irritants is a good idea, especially if you have children.
7 tips for renovating safely
Obtain the necessary permits and ensure that the contractors hired are approved by the competent safety bodies in your province.
Protect yourself. “A properly fitted mask, gloves, and eye protection can protect you from irritants generated by renovations,” says Wong.
Ventilate. Open windows and use fans to ensure the work area is well ventilated and the volume of irritants and fumes is not too high. Working in the summer makes things much more manageable.
Go green. Choose the most environmentally friendly paints, thinners, varnishes and cleaners possible, i.e. VOC-free paints, water-based thinners and products labelled “green”.
If possible, do messy jobs outside – in the driveway, in the yard or on the balcony. You could also install a doormat to wipe your feet. Thus, fewer toxic substances will find their way into the house.
Leave the house during specific works. If you must sand, strip, paint or varnish, keep family members out of the house, so they don’t inhale toxic fumes, suggests Zupancic.
For some materials, get professional help. If you discover a substance that you think is dangerous, such as asbestos or mould, have it removed by experts.
Ms Zupancic also recommends monitoring any contractors you hire closely. If you don’t want a mess in your home, request that the work area be sealed off, and tarps or fans installed. After that, be mindful, even if it means missing work for a few hours at the start of the work.
“You have to watch people, even the most experienced ones,” says Ms Zupancic, who adds that she had the chance to stay at home to observe the work of her contractors. “If I hadn’t been there to say, ‘Put down a plastic sheet,’ they wouldn’t have done it.”
Make sure your family is well protected and get mortgage insurance.
