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What you don’t know CAN hurt you

Posted on March 29, 2014 By shane

The Dangers of Hazardous Chemicals in Renovation Projects

Now that the economy has begun to stabilize, many homeowners are continuing saving money by doing their own home renovation projects. However, some of them do not look before they leap and take on projects they are not prepared to safely complete.

In the midst of their enthusiastic work, some homeowners overlook some dangers that may be lurking out of sight, like toxic mold, lead, and asbestos. Some of the hazardous chemicals are undetectable by a layperson, especially in older homes. Let’s examine some of these chemical hazards to help you complete your project efficiently and safely.

Lead

For over a century, it has been known that lead exposure is toxic, particularly to the growing brains and nervous systems of children. Although lead was banned from use in paints in 1978, a large number of homes still contain dangerous levels. Almost 40 million homes harbor lead paint.

Almost half a million children under the age of 6 are poisoned by lead. Disturbingly, many parents of these children have no idea their children are in danger until lead has damaged them in some way. The effects of lead poisoning are irreversible, so it is particularly important to be aware of the dangers and work to prevent exposure.

Probably the main risk of lead exposure during home renovations is unwittingly disturbing lead paint in an old house. If the dried paint is sanded, scraped, or otherwise disturbed, it can become airborne and be inhaled. Also, toddlers who like to put new things in their mouths could eat lead paint chips. Be sure to wear protective gear or have the material tested before working in areas that may contain old lead paint.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs are present in some types of paint and can be damaging to your lungs. If you are painting indoors, be sure to provide adequate ventilation. Put a fan in a window and keep doors and windows open.

Asbestos and Asbestos Cancer

If you are renovating a home built prior to 1989, you should be aware that some of the materials used in its construction may contain toxic asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used years ago in construction materials to insulate and protect against fires. By the time is was banned in 1989, it had been used in millions of applications ranging from home construction materials to U.S. Navy ships.

Asbestos causes a deadly cancer called mesothelioma. Many lawsuits have been initiated against the manufacturers of this toxic material. The danger comes when the fibrous material is breathed into the lungs. Mesothelioma can take years, even decades, to develop.

If you are working in an older home you should consider having an expert examine any areas where you think asbestos might be lurking. You definitely do not want to disturb any area containing asbestos like insulation or fire-proofing materials and risk breathing in the fibers. If you are doing work that tends to create a lot of dust, take precautions by wearing a filter mask.

Walt has incredible attention to detail skills. His team was very professional. He builds very solid homes. Construction site was always very clean, not even a small nail on the property. He and his project manager dealt with all the county , city, fire department and whatever else was needed. Our project was very big and complicated as we had just the land with no infrastructure. End of the day we are very happy we hired Wehrli Construction to build our home.

- Ivgen

“Walt came highly recommended, almost too well recommended. After our project, we are comfortable, even enthusiastic, to add our voices to the choir of praise. Our project was a complete kitchen and living room remodel: we kept only the tile floor…The results are an over-the-top kitchen, fit for a magazine! The entire crew working on our project (including subs) was friendly, professional and consistent. When they said they would be working, they were. When they left, the place was cleaned up, safe to walk about and inspect. While they were working, they were focused and made consistent progress. Walt set up a collaborative working environment, where we could interrupt to ask questions and debate solutions. The bottom line results are 10 out of 10.

It’s hard to imagine giving such a strong recommendation, but then it was unexpected to receive the same when we first looked at Wehrli Construction. Without a doubt, we could not be happier with the results and with the process. We strongly recommend them!”

- Kimberly & Brent

“Wehrli construction just finished a total remodel of our home. What a fantastic experience. I am very skeptical with contractors and I am very hard to please when it comes to quality, but not this time. Walt Wehrli did a fantastic job. He and his crew along with architect did incredible work down to the finite details. We couldn’t be happier. His attention to detail, his crew was awesome, cleaned up after reach job, courteous and understanding when I asked questions. Walt managed the whole job and I didn’t have to worry at all about the renovation. It was a major job and he made us very happy. Would not hesitate to call him again or refer him at any time. He is the best I have seen.”

- Steve & Dolores D.

“Wehrli Construction renovated our kitchen last year. We were very pleased with the process and the outcome and would highly recommend Walt Wehrli. He had great ideas and listened to our wants and needs. Walt is very reliable and thorough. His workers and subcontractors were professional and did their best to minimize any disruption to our routine. They kept the worksite neat and completed the job ahead of schedule. Walt was a frequent presence on the job, making sure things were running smoothly and on time. The best thing about Walt, though, is his attention to detail. He is very exacting and doesn’t overlook even the smallest detail. The quality of his workmanship is amazing!”

- Michael & Lia H.

“We are extremely happy…It was a big job in which we remodeled our entire house. Walt is very organized and kept our job running consistently and on time. He is dependable, trustworthy and a great communicator who will advocate for you with his subs. He hires quality subcontractors who are courteous and approachable. Through every step of the remodel, we always felt like he had our best interests in mind. He consistently keeps you “in the loop” on your project and truly listens to your concerns/questions. If you are looking for a high quality general contractor who will treat your construction project like it’s his own, we highly recommend you hire Wehrli Construction.”

- Paul & Michele M.

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