Home renovations are exciting, but there is an awful lot to think about. Depending on the scope of the project, your house could be upside down and in a terrible state for months. Even the rooms not being renovated will be affected by dust, dirt, and possible water ingress. Unless you are willing to remove every last item, including yourself, it is vital that you protect surfaces from damage. In this article, we are going to look at the different ways you can do this.
Dealing with the Mess
The mess is the biggest concern during home renovations. The dust has a remarkable way of traveling into every nook and cranny, even in rooms well away from the chaos of a renovation project. Unless you seal off a room using plastic sheeting and duct tape, dust will find a way in.
Where possible, use plastic sheeting to seal off rooms. It isn’t 100% effective, but you should keep the majority of airborne dust and dirt contained.
Next, remove as much as you can from the house, particularly on the level where the work is taking place. This includes delicate electrical equipment and priceless heirlooms. Anything that could potentially be damaged needs to be boxed up and sealed or removed from the building and placed in storage.
Protecting Against Water Damage
Many renovation projects involve water-based products, such as paint, tile adhesive, and sealant products used when plasterboard is taped and filled. These products can cause a lot of damage if they are spilled on surfaces, so it makes sense to protect a home from the outset.
Surface protection materials such as heavy-duty plastic sheeting or boards can be bought from specialist suppliers. Use them in any room where works are taking place. You also need to protect routes to and from the kitchen and bathrooms and any external doors. Remember, even if the majority of your works are taking place outside, contractors will still need to come in and use the facilities – unless you rent a temporary building and a portable toilet.
Protection from Electrical Sparks
Don’t underestimate the potential damage caused by stray electrical sparks. Power tools such as angle grinders and arc welders can cause sparks to fly. If a spark hits a flammable surface, it could cause a devastating fire. The best way to prevent a fire caused by renovation works is to protect all flammable surfaces with a specialist product such as Aqua Shield.
Aqua Shield flame retardant surface protection is made from natural rubber. It comes in rolls and is very easy to install. Aqua Shield is fire retardant, slip-proof, and very durable. Not only will it protect your home from fire, but it will also protect surfaces from water-based products such as paint. And the best bit? It can be recycled when your project is over.
Don’t wait until an accident has occurred before you think about surface protection. By the time a contractor has spilled paint all over your hardwood floor or started a fire in the attic, it’s way too late.
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