If you live in an area that's prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, or other serious storms, you probably already know how much effort goes into storm preparation. However, not even the best storm preparation can prevent all possible damage. Sometimes the storm is just too strong, and there's nothing you can do that will prevent the damage. The question is what to do after the storm blows over. If you've experienced severe storm damage, there are answers to your questions about how to recover. I'll be sharing my experiences with storm damage recovery in this blog, and good damage contractors can also be a wealth of good information for you. Don't lose hope if your storm preparation didn't prevent all damage—now is the time to focus on recovery.
After the Storm
Stop Before You Tear Down That Wall In Your Home
Edgar Alexander
Your next home remodeling project requires you to tear down a wall in the house. But before you grab that saw or sledge hammer, you need to have the wall inspected. There could be a number of hazards awaiting you that can cause serious health issues or injury. Here are some of the reasons you want to know what is on or behind that wall before you start punching and cutting holes in it.
Electrical, Plumbing and Gas Hazards
The wall could have electrical wires, water supply lines and drains, and gas lines running through it. Any combination of these, or all three, could be present. Cutting or rupturing these can result in a shock, fire or a wet mess to clean up. Have a contractor inspect the wall for the presence of any of these obstacles.
They may be able to get to the wall from above or below to detect these items. If not, they'll drill test holes in the wall and insert a fiber optic cable to inspect the interior. If any of these are present in the wall, you'll need to hire someone to re-route the lines before you work on the wall for your project.
Asbestos
If your home was built prior to the 1970s, construction materials containing asbestos may have been used. It could be in the insulation or drywall. When these materials are disturbed, asbestos is released into the air. When breathed into the lungs, it can cause mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer. If you have an older home, have the wall inspected for the presence of asbestos. If they find it in the wall, you'll need to contact a service that does professional asbestos removal in your community. They are trained and licensed to safely remove and dispose of any asbestos they find.
Lead Paint
This is another hazardous material common in home construction before the 1970s. It poses a danger when a painted wall is disturbed and the paint dust is released to be breathed in. Lead is absorbed into the bloodstream and causes lead poisoning. This is especially dangerous in children as it can cause developmental problems that have been associated with lead paint. Have the wall tested for lead paint. If discovered, a hazardous materials team must remove and dispose of it.
Don't touch that wall until you've had it inspected. There may be no problems at all and you can continue with your remodeling project. However, if you have an older home, don't be surprised if the contractor tells you that the wall has electrical wires, plumbing and gas pipes running through it, has asbestos insulation and was painted with lead paint. In that case, you may want to reconsider that project for something less hazardous. For more information, contact a company like Delfa Contracting LLC.
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