Demolition and Remodeling Season: Obtain Asbestos and Lead Testing in Aspen, CO Before Your Remodel

It’s that time of year again! People who have been saving up for big remodeling projects in their homes often like to get those projects done in the spring and summer, while the weather is nice and while they can have windows open to keep proper ventilation. But before you begin the demolition process, it’s important to make sure you’ve taken all the steps necessary to ensure the safety and preparedness of your property. This will prevent you from making some big, potentially tragic mistakes.

Here are just a few examples of some of the types of inspections you may want to schedule before you begin a remodeling project:

• Lead: If you have an older home, there’s a chance you have lead paint on your walls, or that your plumbing has lead pipes. Before you start knocking down walls, it’s a good idea to have an inspector perform lead testing in Aspen, CO so you can be certain you don’t contaminate yourself with lead particles.
• Asbestos: Again, older homes tended to be built with asbestos-containing materials. If your home was built more than two or three decades ago, you should absolutely have an inspector come and check out your property before you start demolition, because the demolition process could release these dangerous carcinogenic asbestos particles into the air.
• Structure: It’s always a good idea to get a structural inspection before a major building project. You may need to call in an engineer for this job. Changes to interior walls in your home could compromise the structural support of the property, and an engineer can help you determine if certain walls are load-bearing and how you’d need to work around that issue to get the project completed.
• Roof: A professional roofer or roofing inspector can give you some insight into how you’ll handle the roofing portion of your addition or remodel. Whether you’re adding on to a house or just adding a skylight or dormer, you’ll need to know whether you can just add materials on and tie the new work in with the old, or if you’ll need to replace all the existing materials on your roof.
• Basement and foundation: If you’re finishing off a basement in an older house, you might need to call in a mold inspector first, as these areas tend to be damp, and the last thing you want is to put drywall and other finishing elements over an existing mold problem. Professional inspectors will uncover potential sources of dampness and help you figure out how you can eliminate the issue before you get going on your basement remodel.
• Mechanical systems: To support your new project, you might need to upgrade your electrical systems, HVAC or plumbing. An inspector can provide you with more information and with specific recommendations for your property.

Preparing for a home remodel? Make sure you’ve done all the proper planning and inspections before you get going. Contact HealthSafe Inspections Inc. today to schedule your lead and asbestos testing in Aspen, CO!

Categorised in: Asbestos Testing, Lead Testing

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