There are plenty of reasons to fall in love with the charm of an older home. Maybe you live in a Craftsman bungalow or perhaps you’re dreaming of buying a Victorian home like a Queen Anne. There’s just something magical about older homes and the links they provide to the past. Unfortunately, the process of renovating your older home to make it more liveable can also offer its own unique set of challenges and safety risks.

That’s why it’s important to work with a professional contracting team that’s experienced with some of the safety concerns posed by an older home. At The Construction Group in Woodbury, we’re trained and licensed to handle these types of challenges.

Changing Construction Practices

It’s hard to believe that not too long ago, people didn’t understand how dangerous it was to eat junk food regularly or use tobacco products, but times have changed. In few places is this more apparent than in construction practices and building materials.

Over the years, we’ve come to realize that many of the products and standards used in home construction in years past were unsafe. During the process of renovating a home, it’s not uncommon to encounter unsafe workmanship or materials. Knowing how to handle them is essential to conducting a safe remodeling project.

These are some of the primary risks when working in an older home:

1.    Asbestos

Asbestos is a heat-resistant silicate that was used commonly in older homes until the 1970s due to its excellent electrical insulation value. It can be found in all kinds of building materials built before this time. However, after it was discovered to be carcinogenic, its use was discontinued. Asbestos becomes a threat when it gets into the air. It is considered a form of hazardous waste and must be disposed of according to U.S. federal regulations.

2.    Lead Paint

Lead is frequently found in older homes. Lead poisoning due to lead-based paint and other materials typically occurs in homes older than 1970. Although lead is most commonly associated with paint, it’s actually found in a wide range of materials and locations throughout an older home. Extra care should be taken when working with any type of older paint, trim, or molding. Bathroom fixtures and plumbing are also likely locations for lead.

3.    Old Wiring

In homes built in the early half of the 20th century, it’s not uncommon to encounter old wiring that can pose an electric shock risk. Understanding how to handle this risk could literally mean the difference between life and death. Knob and tube wiring, old fixtures, damaged circuits, and old fuse boxes all require careful handling.

Call Our Twin Cities Home Remodeling Services Pros

There’s nothing quite as rewarding as renovating an older home. But it’s important to work with a professionally trained home remodeling services team that understands the risks of working with old wiring and materials.

At The Construction Group, we’re trained and certified to handle the safety and disposal issues you can expect to encounter while remodeling your older home. To get your free general contractor project quote, call The Construction Group in Woodbury today at 651-731-5857 or contact us online to discuss your home remodeling project today.