Renovating your home sounds amazing, but it can easily take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. The constant noise pollution and things scattered all over the place can result in stress. During basement renovations, there is also a high chance of getting injured. However, you can always make the process easier by doing it right. We have compiled a comprehensive list of things you must keep in mind when renovating your basement.
These things aren’t just exclusive to basement renovations, as you can make a similar checklist for any part of your house under renovation.
Analyze your Home Structure for Safety Before Starting
Before you start renovations, it’s crucial to analyze the structural integrity of your house. In some cases, for example, renovations mean the removal of a certain wall or any structural changes in the house.
In such cases, there is a high chance that the building’s structure will be compromised. If you have an older house, the foundations can be vulnerable when making structural changes. Over time, the structure can be affected by corrosion. If your house has gone through a major earthquake or flooding, its structural integrity might already be compromised.
A good strategy to counter this issue is the use of pneumatic tube separation, but it’s highly unlikely that it was used in the past. However, now that your basement is being renovated, you might want to consider using such a system.
We highly recommend hiring a structural engineer for a proper analysis of your house before you move forward with the renovation process. Having the complete floor plan of your house is also essential before making any major changes. The plan will give you access to the concealed water, gas, and electrical lines.
If you don’t have the original house plan, it’s recommended to do some digging, scrap a couple of sheets off, and locate these networks. Without knowing the exact location of these lines, you might end up drilling into the gas line, which can be extremely dangerous.
Be the Man with a Plan
Plan and write down your basement renovation from the beginning to the end. Without a proper plan, you won’t be able to achieve what’s on your mind. It also results in poor and undocumented expenditure.
Pre-construction stage in any renovation project is as crucial as the construction itself. To begin with, you should have your own set of home improvement tools to take initial measurements of the relevant area.
This will help you decide the scope and budget for the project. Later, when you hire a professional, you will be better able to comprehend his estimates and their accuracy. Also, make a complete budget and expenditure plan before the project starts. We recommend making your own Excel spreadsheet of the project.
Don’t live in the Renovation Zone
Separating your renovation space from the living area is crucial to avoid potential injuries. Renovations are loud with all the physical labor work involved. Living nearby means you have to bear all the noise and dust pollution.
Hence, it’s recommended to either move out for the time being or have proper insulation between the renovation zone and your living area. If the renovation involves your basement, you will most probably have to move out as it produces high construction waste and noise pollution.
Ensure that kids are kept away from the construction zone, and everything is properly concealed to avoid dust exposure. If you move out during the renovation, the work might progress faster, but this means there is a greater chance of mistakes and possible sloppy work from the professionals you hired. So, even if you have moved out, make sure you visit the site regularly.
Beware of Your Hygiene and Physical Health
Wearing proper gear during work is essential. It will keep you safe from any potential injuries. Construction site injuries can get serious very quickly. Therefore, taking care of yourself is the first task when you are renovating.
Proper cleaning of the work site is important to avoid catching diseases. Make sure you periodically disinfect the work site as well as your tools. A more organized and maintained work site will save you a lot of time as you will know where your tools are. Therefore, having a clean workspace is crucial for a safe renovation project.
Here are some key safety gear we think you must invest in before starting your renovation project:
- Gloves
- Full pants covering your lower body.
- Waist protection belts.
- Construction helmets.
- Steel-toed shoes.
- Safety Glasses (Especially if you are going to weld).
Install Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
This is one of the most important things in the safety segment. As you will be working with a lot of electrical equipment, they can always catch fire very easily. This fire can spread rapidly if your renovation involves woodwork. That’s why it’s crucial to install fire alarms.
Also, check if you have a sufficient amount of fire extinguishers in working condition. For additional safety, install carbon monoxide detectors, as it’s an extremely toxic and highly fatal gas.
During a basement renovation, if the workers are cutting through concrete, it can produce lots of toxic dust and gas particles, for which you should have detectors to ensure these levels are within safe limits.
Note: Toxic gasses can easily fill in the area, especially in basements, as they have limited ventilation.
Turn off the Mains
If you are working with electricity, you must turn the mains off. We recommend having an external power supply for your tools directly from a separate breaker. This also goes for the gas lines. If you have any opened gas lines, make sure you turn off the main valve before proceeding with the renovations.
Take Care of your Mental Health
Renovation is carried out for better comfort and mental peace after the project is completed. However, you can easily become overstressed with all the renovation work and pollution.
A good strategy to keep your mental health in check is to carry on with your everyday life and habits. Don’t let renovation work disturb your everyday life patterns. Still, go for that morning walk, take your evening cup of tea, and play that game of chess with your friend. Live like it’s a normal day in your life.
If you abandon the things you normally do, it can take a toll on your mental health. Moreover, you can’t do everything. So, if you feel like you have been overburdened, don’t be shy to take professional help. Multiple companies can help you with your renovation.
Final Words
Basement renovation isn’t easy, but achieving its end goal is one of the most wholesome feelings. However, to ensure that everything goes smoothly, divide your project into preconstruction, during-construction, and post-construction phases. Then, fill in each category while keeping the above-mentioned things in mind. In renovation projects, your safety should be your main concern. Everything else will follow smoothly with proper planning.
