Today in the effort to make homes more green and energy efficient, homes are being tightly built. These tightly constructed homes are waterproof, dustproof with little to no air leakage and lack the ventilation to remove the stale air outside. The indoor air does not stay fresh.
Remodeling is a dusty processing any home. If you are planning to remodel your home, it is important to protect from dust and debris which can remain trapped in the home. Your remodeler should take steps to dust proof your home during the remodeling. Cleaning during and after the remodel is crucial to a healthy environment. Construction dust can also contain chemicals and if not properly removed can circulate around your home for years and possibly be hazardous to your health.
Here are some basic ways that your contractor can keep your home dust free during a remodel.
- Sticky mats that pull dust off shoes.
- Floor paper from the front door covering floors
- From there you will see continuous floor drops and a plastic corridor wall leading to the work area
- Layers of zippered plastic dust barriers in doorways to contain the dust.
- Placement of fans to pull the dust outside.
Another thing your remodeler can do is recommend easily cleanable surfaces. For example, suggesting alternatives to carpets and rugs in your home. Carpets do not qualify as a cleanable surfaces because, no matter how much you vacuum, dirt and dust will always remain trapped, which can aggravate a homeowner’s allergies and the homes environment.
Depending on the age of your home, lead based dust can be a huge concern to the health and safety of your family. If your home was constructed before 1978 look for a company that is a lead safe certified firm as there is a good chance that your home has lead based paint.
When it comes to deciding to remodel and choosing a contractor, make sure you pick one that has a dust free plan in place who will respect the cleanliness and organization of your home.
This article was written by Larry Abbott and published in the Houston Chronicle on Sunday, October 28th, 2018
